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A bowl of easy salmon pasta dinner, garnished with fresh herbs.

Speedy Lemon-Herb Salmon Linguine

This speedy recipe combines tender salmon and linguine with a bright lemon-herb cream sauce, perfect for a quick and flavorful meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 8-10 ounces linguine or your favorite pasta
Salmon
  • 2 salmon fillets (6-8 ounce), fresh or thawed frozen
Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped (optional, but recommended)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • red pepper flakes Pinch (Optional)

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Paper towels

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add linguine and cook until al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
Preparing the Salmon
  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the salmon for 4-6 minutes per side until cooked through and flaky, then remove, cool slightly, and flake into bite-sized pieces.
Making the Sauce
  1. Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add the remaining olive oil if needed, and minced garlic; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, adding red pepper flakes now if desired. Pour in heavy cream and broth, bringing to a gentle simmer, then stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce slightly thickens.
Combining the Dish
  1. Add the drained linguine to the skillet and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached before gently folding in the flaked salmon.
Finishing Touches
  1. Stir in fresh lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish generously with fresh parsley and dill, then serve immediately.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine to the sauce before the cream and broth. Ensure your salmon is not overcooked to maintain its moistness. You can use any short pasta if linguine is unavailable, such as penne or fettuccine.