Can I use a different pasta?

Absolutely. While penne works great for holding creamy sauces, you can also use: fettuccine rigatoni farfalle spaghetti Choose whatever you have on hand.

Can I substitute the salmon?

Yes! Try: smoked salmon grilled shrimp chicken breast Each brings its own delicious twist to the dish.

How long does salmon pasta keep in the fridge?

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days . Reheat gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.

Can I make this recipe lighter?

You can swap the heavy cream for: half-and-half light cream The sauce will be slightly thinner but still tasty.

Why does my sauce taste bland?

A common fix is adding extra seasoning: garlic powder Italian herbs lemon juice parmesan cheese A little seasoning can make a big difference.

Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Spinach: 30-Minute Irresistible Dinner

Name: Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Spinach
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound salmon fillets; ¼ teaspoon salt; 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; 8 oz penne pasta

Description

Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Spinach is a creamy, restaurant-quality pasta dish ready in just 30 minutes. Tender pan-seared salmon is tossed with penne pasta, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a rich cream sauce for a comforting and flavorful dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

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 pasta

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Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta 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 fillets with salt.
Place salmon flesh side down in the skillet and sear for about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, flip, and cook another 4–5 minutes until the salmon is flaky and cooked through. Remove from the skillet.

3. Make the Cream Sauce

In the same skillet, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.

Pour in the heavy cream and add paprika and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 1 minute while stirring.

4. Combine the Pasta

Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce.

5. Add the Salmon

Remove the skin from the salmon and cut the fish into large chunks.
Gently fold the salmon into the pasta and simmer for another minute until warmed through. Taste and season with additional salt if needed.

Serve warm.

Notes

Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.

Extra garlic powder or Italian seasoning can enhance the flavor.

Parmesan, feta, or goat cheese can be sprinkled on top for extra richness.

If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 637 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 267 mg
Fat: 33 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 49 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 33 g
Cholesterol: 143 mg