Creamy pasta with salmon and asparagus is a delightful and elegant dish that’s relatively simple to prepare. Here’s a recipe that combines tender salmon, crisp asparagus, and a luscious cream sauce:
Ingredients:
- For the Pasta:
- 8 ounces pasta (such as fettuccine, penne, or farfalle)
- Salt, for pasta water
- Salt, for pasta water
- For the Salmon and Asparagus:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound salmon fillets, skin removed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 pound salmon fillets, skin removed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- For the Creamy Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Cook the Salmon and Asparagus:
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the salmon pieces with salt and pepper. Add the salmon to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- Season the salmon pieces with salt and pepper. Add the salmon to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the asparagus and cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the asparagus from the skillet and set aside with the salmon.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine or chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, reducing slightly.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes, until the cream starts to thicken.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a bit of the reserved pasta water.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine or chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, reducing slightly.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes, until the cream starts to thicken.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a bit of the reserved pasta water.
4. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it in the creamy sauce. If needed, add a bit more reserved pasta water to reach your desired sauce consistency.
5. Add Salmon and Asparagus:
- Gently fold in the cooked salmon and asparagus. Heat everything through, being careful not to break up the salmon too much.
6. Serve:
- Garnish with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately.
Tips:
- For More Flavor: Add a splash of white wine to the sauce or a pinch of your favorite herbs like dill or basil.- Freshness: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will melt better and give a smoother texture to the sauce compared to pre-grated cheese.- Make It Ahead:You can cook the components ahead of time and combine them just before serving for a quick meal.
Enjoy your creamy pasta with salmon and asparagus—it’s a perfect balance of rich and fresh flavors!
