Luxurious Creamy Salmon Pasta with Mixed Greens Recipe
When it comes to a weeknight salmon pasta that blends luxurious creamy salmon pasta with mixed greens, this recipe promises pure culinary magic.
Rich, velvety sauce coats perfectly cooked pasta while tender salmon flakes effortlessly throughout each delectable bite.
Fresh mixed greens add a vibrant, crisp contrast to the decadent dish.
The combination delivers restaurant-quality flavor without complicated techniques.
salmon brings incredible nutrition and omega-3 benefits to this elegant meal.
Professional chefs would gladly serve this sophisticated yet approachable dinner.
Dive into a plate that feels both indulgent and nourishing.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 624 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredients Checklist for Creamy Salmon Pasta with Mixed Greens
For Pasta Base:
Tagliatelle, Fettuccine, Linguine: Hearty pasta varieties that perfectly capture and hold the creamy sauce, providing a delightful textural backdrop for the salmon.
For Flavor Builders:
Shallot, Garlic: Aromatic alliums that create a subtle, sophisticated flavor foundation with their delicate sweetness and pungent notes.
Butter: Rich, golden ingredient that adds luxurious depth and helps develop a smooth, velvety sauce.
Dry White Wine: Bright, acidic liquid that deglazes the pan and introduces a sophisticated, tangy undertone to the dish.
For Protein and Creaminess:
Salmon Fillet: Fresh, omega-rich fish that brings a delicate, buttery flavor and tender texture to the pasta.
Double/Heavy Cream: Sumptuous dairy product that creates an indulgent, silky sauce with exceptional richness.
For Freshness and Brightness:
Mixed Greens: Vibrant, peppery blend of spinach, arugula, and watercress that adds color, nutrition, and a zesty punch.
Lemon: Citrus fruit that provides a sharp, refreshing zest and juice to cut through the cream's richness.
For Seasoning:
Salt: Essential mineral that enhances and balances all the dish's complex flavors.
Fresh Parsley: Bright, herbal garnish that adds a clean, fresh finish and visual appeal.
Tools You’ll Need to Prepare Creamy Salmon Pasta with Mixed Greens
Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta thoroughly and evenly.
Large pan: Perfect for searing salmon and creating creamy sauce.
Colander: Needed for draining pasta after cooking.
Chef's knife: Crucial for chopping shallots, garlic, and parsley.
Cutting board: Provides stable surface for ingredient preparation.
Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and mixing ingredients.
Measuring spoons: Helps accurately season and measure ingredients.
Zester or grater: Used for creating lemon zest.
Steps to Cook Creamy Salmon Pasta with Mixed Greens
Salmon Pasta Symphony
Pasta Preparation Boil water in a large pot and cook pasta until perfectly tender. Drain and set aside, ready for its creamy destiny.
Salmon Sizzle Heat a pan and melt butter. Gently place salmon pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and flaky, then transfer to a warm plate.
Flavor Foundation In the same pan, sauté shallots and garlic until they release their aromatic magic. Splash in white wine and let it dance and reduce.
Creamy Canvas Stir heavy cream into the pan, welcoming vibrant mixed greens and bright lemon essence. Allow the sauce to simmer and develop rich, luxurious layers of flavor.
Final Harmony Toss the pasta through the velvety sauce, ensuring each noodle is generously coated. Nestle the salmon pieces on top, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve this delightful culinary creation.
How to Serve Creamy Salmon Pasta with Mixed Greens
Dinner Party Delight: Arrange the pasta on elegant white plates, garnishing with extra parsley and a lemon wedge for a restaurant-style presentation that will impress your guests.
Herb Garden Fresh: Sprinkle additional fresh herbs like dill or chives on top to enhance the green notes and add a vibrant, aromatic touch to the creamy salmon pasta.
Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the rich, creamy sauce and delicate salmon flavors.
Healthy Side Kick: Add a small mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette on the side to balance the richness of the pasta and provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy dish.
Saving Leftovers of Creamy Salmon Pasta with Mixed Greens
Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare this salmon pasta in larger quantities for quick weeknight meals. Separate portions into airtight containers for easy grab-and-go lunches during busy workdays.
Refrigerator Freshness Window: Store leftovers in sealed containers for maximum 2-3 days. Keep the pasta and salmon separate from the sauce to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
Freezing Strategy: While cream-based sauces can be tricky to freeze, you can safely store the cooked salmon and pasta separately. Thaw and reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of cream to restore the original creamy consistency.
Quick Reheating Technique: Warm the pasta slowly in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small amount of cream or water to revive the sauce's smoothness, stirring continuously to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
Helpful Tips for Creamy Salmon Pasta with Mixed Greens
Cooking Tips & Variations
Salmon Swap: Experiment with different fish like trout, halibut, or cod for a unique twist on this creamy pasta dish. Each type of fish brings its own delightful flavor profile to the meal.
Green Goodness Variation: Mix up the greens by using baby spinach, arugula, or Swiss chard instead of mixed greens. Fresh herbs like dill or basil can add an extra layer of brightness to the sauce.
Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lighter, plant-based alternative that still delivers rich, creamy texture.
Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes, a dash of smoked paprika, or a squeeze of sriracha to give the dish a gentle kick of heat and complexity.
Quick Meal Prep: Cook extra salmon and save leftovers for a quick lunch the next day, or prepare the sauce in advance and reheat when ready to serve for a speedy weeknight dinner.
Delightful salmon pasta with mixed greens brings Mediterranean flavors to dinner tables. Herbs, fresh salmon, and crisp greens combine for an elegant meal people will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb (454 g) pasta (tagliatelle, fettuccine, or linguine)
200 g (7 oz) salmon fillet, skin removed and cut into bite-sized pieces
250 ml (1 cup) double/heavy cream
125 ml (½ cup) dry white wine
80 g (2 cups) mixed greens (spinach, arugula, watercress)
1 tbsp butter
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
½ lemon (zest and 1 tbsp juice)
¼ tsp salt, or to taste
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in heavily salted, rapidly boiling water according to package instructions, then drain completely while preserving pasta’s structural integrity.
Salmon Searing: Heat skillet to medium-high temperature, melt butter, and carefully place salmon pieces seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook until exterior develops golden-brown caramelization and interior reaches perfect doneness.
Aromatic Foundation: Reduce skillet’s heat, introduce finely diced shallots and minced garlic into remaining cooking oils. Deglaze pan with white wine, allowing liquid to concentrate and develop rich underlying flavors.
Sauce Development: Pour heavy cream into skillet, integrating mixed greens and incorporating lemon zest and juice. Adjust seasoning with subtle salt additions to enhance overall taste profile.
Culinary Integration: Merge cooked pasta with creamy sauce, ensuring comprehensive coating, then gently fold seared salmon throughout mixture, creating harmonious texture and flavor distribution.
Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, providing vibrant color and herbaceous complexity. Serve immediately, highlighting the elegant fusion of maritime and garden-inspired elements.
Notes
Master Pasta Salting: Use abundant salt in boiling water to enhance pasta’s fundamental flavor, ensuring each strand absorbs seasoning during cooking.
Salmon Searing Secrets: Cook salmon at medium heat for golden exterior and moist interior, preventing overcooking which can make fish tough and dry.
Wine Reduction Magic: Allow white wine to simmer and concentrate, developing deeper flavor layers that transform the sauce’s overall complexity and richness.
Cream Sauce Balance: Add cream gradually and stir consistently to prevent separation, creating smooth, velvety texture that coats pasta perfectly.
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice.
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.
Emily Roberts
Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.