Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

If Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce sounds like something you’d order at a nice restaurant when you’re trying to feel like a person who has it all together… same. But here’s the good news: you can make it at home in about the time it takes to locate everyone’s missing shoes and negotiate “one more episode.”

This recipe is my kind of weeknight win—creamy, comforting, a little fancy-feeling, and still totally doable even if you’re cooking with one eye on homework and the other on a dog trying to steal salmon off the counter. (Ask me how I know.)

And yes, we’re adding spinach too, because we’re grown-ups and we like balance… and because it melts right in like it was always meant to be there.

Why You’ll Love This Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

• It tastes expensive (but you’re not paying $24 plus tip).
• It’s fast—a real “I need dinner now” situation-solver.
• One skillet + one pot = fewer dishes, more peace.
• Creamy, tangy, savory flavors from the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and paprika.
• Spinach sneaks in for color and a little “look at me eating greens” glow.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Salmon

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound salmon fillets
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
• 5 oz fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt, to taste

Pasta

• 8 oz penne

How To Make Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

1) Cook the pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne according to package directions.
Drain it, and don’t rinse (we want the sauce to cling like it’s in love).

2) Sear the salmon

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

• Season the salmon with ¼ teaspoon salt.
• When the oil is hot, add salmon flesh side down (skin side up).
• Sear about 4 minutes on medium-high.

Now reduce the heat to medium:

• Flip salmon skin side down and sear 4–5 minutes more, until it flakes easily.

Move the salmon to a plate. Try not to “taste test” too much. (I say this gently, as someone who absolutely does.)

3) Build the cream sauce

Using the same skillet (hello, flavor!), add:

• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Minced garlic

Stir for 1 minute until the garlic smells amazing.

Add fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. It’ll look like a lot at first, and then suddenly it’ll be like… “where did you all go?”

Pour in:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• paprika
• red pepper flakes

Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 1 minute, stirring. Season with salt to taste. Want more smoky warmth? Add a pinch more paprika.

4) Combine pasta + sauce

Add the drained pasta right into the skillet. Stir until every noodle is coated in that creamy, sun-dried tomato goodness.

5) Add salmon (the grand finale)

Remove the skin by sliding a fork between the salmon and the skin—it should separate easily.

Slice salmon into big chunks (no need for perfection—rustic is charming). Add it to the pasta and gently stir.

Simmer for 1 minute so everything warms through. The salmon should be flaky and tender, not overcooked and sad.

Taste, add salt if needed, and… you did it.

My Best Tips (So This Turns Out Dreamy)

• Don’t overcook the salmon. Pull it when it flakes easily. It will warm again in the pasta, like a cozy blanket moment.
• Use sun-dried tomatoes in oil. That oil carries flavor. If your tomatoes are super dry, they’ll still work—just chop and let them simmer a bit longer in the cream.
• Keep the simmer gentle. Cream sauce doesn’t like being yelled at (aka high heat). Low and slow keeps it smooth.
• If your sauce looks a little thick: add a splash of pasta water or a tiny splash of cream. No panic. We’re cooking, not performing surgery.
• Red pepper flakes are optional… but fun. Just enough gives a little sparkle without setting anyone’s mouth on fire.

A Little Story From My Kitchen

This Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Spinach became my “company’s coming but I’m tired” dinner. The first time I made it, I expected my family to politely eat it and then ask for cereal an hour later (you know the vibe).

Instead? Silence. The good kind. The “everyone is too busy eating” kind. Then my kid asked, “Can we have this again tomorrow?” and I nearly cried into the skillet—because nothing feels more magical than a meal that tastes fancy and gets requested again.

FAQs About Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

Can I use a different pasta?

Absolutely. Penne is great because it holds sauce, but rigatoni, fusilli, farfalle, or even spaghetti work. Just aim for something that grabs onto that creamy sauce.

Can I substitute the heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it won’t be quite as thick and velvety. If you go that route, simmer gently and a little longer so it reduces.

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes! Thaw it and squeeze out as much liquid as possible first. Otherwise, your sauce may get watery.

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave in short bursts. Add a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.

Can I make this Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Spinach ahead?

You can cook the components ahead (pasta, salmon, sauce), but it’s best assembled fresh so the salmon stays tender and the pasta doesn’t soak up too much sauce. If you do prep ahead, combine and warm gently right before serving.

Bring a Little Magic to Dinner Tonight

If your weeknight dinners have been feeling a little “same old,” Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce is here to rescue you—creamy, cozy, and impressive without being fussy. And once you try the Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Spinach, don’t be surprised if it lands in your regular rotation.

Make it once, and you’ll see: this is the kind of dinner that makes your kitchen smell like comfort—and makes you feel like you totally nailed adulthood, at least for one meal.

More Cozy Dinners to Try Next

If you loved the creamy vibes in this pasta, here are a few more reader-favorite recipes that pair beautifully with (or taste similar to) this meal—perfect for keeping your dinner routine delicious without getting boring:

• Creamy Tuscan Salmon — another dreamy, skillet-style seafood dinner.
• Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta — bold, saucy, and weeknight-friendly.
• Cucumber Dill Salad — fresh, crunchy, and the perfect balance for rich pasta.
• One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta — minimal effort, maximum cozy comfort.

And if you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it went—please leave a quick review and tap your star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on the recipe card!

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