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Salmon Pesto Pasta Recipe

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4.4 from 4 reviews

This Salmon Pesto Pasta is a quick and delicious weeknight meal combining tender pan-seared salmon with a creamy pesto sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. The dish balances the savory flavors of garlic, lemon, and Parmesan, making it a comforting and elegant one-pan dinner ready in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta

Salmon

  • 1 pound fresh salmon
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Flour, for dredging

Sauce and Cooking

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ⅓ cup chicken broth
  • ⅓ cup pesto (homemade or jarred)
  • ¼ cup heavy/whipping cream
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare Salmon: Season the salmon evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Lightly dredge the salmon pieces in flour to create a light coating.
  3. Pan-Sear Salmon: Heat olive oil and butter together in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the salmon about 3 minutes on each side until it turns lightly golden brown.
  4. Remove Salmon and Deglaze: Take the skillet off the heat and remove the salmon to a plate. Pour out excess fat from the skillet, leaving the browned bits stuck to the bottom. Do not wipe the pan clean.
  5. Make Sauce Base: Add the chicken broth and pesto to the skillet and return it to the stove. Cook for about 30 seconds, scraping up the browned bits to incorporate rich flavor into the sauce.
  6. Add Cream and Lemon: Stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice, allowing the sauce to bubble gently for about a minute.
  7. Finish Cooking Salmon: Return the salmon to the skillet, breaking it into pieces with a spoon. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and the sauce slightly thickens.
  8. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy pesto salmon sauce.
  9. Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • The lemon juice brightens the sauce, balancing the richness of the cream and salmon.
  • Use fresh salmon for the best texture and flavor, but frozen can be used if thawed properly.
  • Homemade pesto adds freshness, but quality jarred pesto works well too.
  • This dish pairs beautifully with a light green salad or steamed vegetables.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/salmon-pesto-pasta-recipe/