Description
Creamy, comforting, and ready in about 30 minutes, this Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce is the perfect weeknight dinner. Flaky seared salmon, tender penne, spinach, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes come together in a rich, velvety cream sauce that tastes restaurant-worthy but is easy enough for busy nights.
Ingredients
Salmon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound salmon fillets
- ¼ teaspoon salt
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
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Sear the Salmon
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Season salmon with salt.
Place salmon flesh side down (skin side up) and sear for 4 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium, flip salmon, and cook another 4–5 minutes until flaky.
Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Cream Sauce
In the same skillet, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Pour in heavy cream, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Season with salt.
4. Combine Everything
Add drained pasta to the skillet and stir to coat.
Remove salmon skin and cut salmon into large chunks.
Add salmon to pasta and gently stir. Simmer 1 minute until warmed through.
Taste and adjust salt if needed. Serve warm.
Notes
- Do not overcook the salmon; it should flake easily but remain tender.
- Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Frozen spinach may be used—thaw and squeeze out excess moisture first.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle with grated Parmesan before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg