Salmon Fettuccine Alfredo

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This Salmon Fettuccine Alfredo recipe combines a homemade rich and velvety white sauce with tender, flaky salmon. The no-boil pasta method will save you so much time! The pasta cooks alongside the luscious cream sauce and from there is tossed with perfectly seasoned fish and vegetables.

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Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Rich and Luxurious Flavor: Salmon, with its buttery texture and mild flavor, pairs exceptionally well with the creamy richness of Alfredo sauce. The combination creates a dish that is both comforting and indulgent.
• Variation of Classic Alfredo: Adding salmon to pasta provides a delicious twist on classic pasta recipes. It introduces a new dimension of flavor and makes the dish more substantial with the addition of protein.
• Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet appeal, thanks to my no-boil pasta method, it’s relatively easy to prepare.
• Satisfying and Filling: It’s a great option for those looking for a substantial and comforting dish.

How to Cook the Salmon

You can bake, pan sear, air fry, or grill the salmon using any of my recipes:

• Air Fryer Salmon
• Pan Seared Cast Iron Salmon
• Baked Salmon in Foil
• Grilled Salmon in Foil

What Type of Cheese to Use

Alfredo sauce is made using Parmesan cheese. Parmesan cheese adds a rich, salty, and nutty flavor to the sauce, which complements the creamy base beautifully. You should also use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture, as opposed to pre-shredded bagged cheese.

You can use whatever type of cheese you prefer in this recipe.

Do You Break the Pasta in Half

You don’t need to. It will shrink down as it cooks. Long strands of pasta are so much better than short ones. I wouldn’t break it.

How to Make Salmon Fettuccine Alfredo

Full detailed instructions are below in the recipe card.

1. Season the salmon with olive oil and spices and cook.
2. Place a large skillet or pot on the stove at medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
3. Add broth, spices, and heavy cream to the pot.
4. Once the mixture begins to boil and bubble add in the pasta.
5. Once the pasta has wilted and is fully covered in the sauce, adjust the heat to medium and cover the pot.
6. Simmer. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and optional spinach. Fold to combine.
7. Add in the cooked salmon.

What Type of Pan or Pot to Use

You’ll want to use a large, deep skillet, a wide saucepan, a Dutch oven, or a wide-bottomed pot.

I used this pan from Amazon and this Dutch oven would work, too.

How to Tell When Salmon is Perfectly Cooked

• Temperature: Use a meat thermometer and ensure the fish has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Check the temperature in the thickest part of the fish.
• Appearance and Touch: Perfectly cooked salmon will have a light pink color and will be opaque throughout. The flesh will also start to flake when pressed with a fork.
• It’s important to note that salmon can be cooked to varying degrees of doneness, some people prefer it cooked through while others prefer it medium-rare at 135 degrees. Decide what works for you.

Dry and Overcooked Salmon

Overcooked salmon is dry and has little flavor. Fish (along with meat) will continue to cook when you remove it from heat. This is why it’s important to pay attention to how long the fish cooks.

When the fish is done, it will be a translucent pink in the middle. It should also look flaky. You can check out more tips on How to Tell if Salmon is Overcooked here.

How to Keep it From Drying Out

• Use thin pasta like spaghetti if you know you like your pasta really creamy.
• Avoid overcooking the salmon. Cook it just until it flakes easily with a fork. Overcooked salmon tends to be dry and less flavorful.
• Serve the salmon pasta immediately after preparation. Pasta dishes with creamy sauces are best enjoyed fresh, as they can dry out over time. (Or use the tips below for reheating).

How to Store

Leftovers can be stored tightly covered and sealed in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezer Tips

You can freeze the dish for up to a couple of months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and follow the steps above to reheat.

Pair With These Recipes

Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Fried Potatoes and Onions
Air Fryer Green Beans

More Salmon Recipes

Salmon Rice Bowl
Easy Salmon Bites
Cajun Salmon
Air Fryer Salmon (15 Minute Recipe)
Maple Glazed Salmon
Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon
Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict
Salmon Fried Rice with Vegetables

Salmon Fettuccine Alfredo

This Salmon Fettuccine Alfredo recipe combines a homemade rich and velvety Alfredo sauce with tender, flaky salmon. The no-boil pasta method will save you so much time! The pasta cooks alongside the luscious cream sauce and from there is tossed with perfectly seasoned fish and vegetables.

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course dinner, lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 729 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Salmon

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1-1 1/2 pounds raw salmon
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika Regular paprika is fine.
• salt and pepper to taste

Pasta

• 3-4 garlic cloves Minced.
• 1-2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• 8 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese
• 2-4 cups fresh spinach Optional

Instructions

 

• Drizzle olive oil all over the salmon. Sprinkle the spices throughout and rub them into the salmon. Ensure the salmon is completely covered with spices and add additional if necessary.
  1 teaspoon olive oil, 1-1 1/2 pounds raw salmon, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, salt and pepper to taste

No Boil Pasta Method

• Place a large skillet or pot on the stove at medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Add a small amount of oil (any oil) if not using a nonstick pan.
  3-4 garlic cloves
• Add the broth, spices, and heavy cream to the pot. Start with 1 cup of broth. Taste the sauce repeatedly and add salt and additional spices as necessary to suit your taste.
  1-2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper to taste
• Once the mixture begins to boil and bubble add in the pasta. The pasta should wilt down without the need to break it.
  8 oz fettuccine pasta
• Once the pasta has wilted and is fully covered in the sauce, adjust the heat to medium and cover the pot. If the pasta isn’t completely submerged in sauce, add additional broth as needed.
• Simmer the pasta for 10-15 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.

  Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and optional spinach. Fold to combine.
  1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese, 2-4 cups fresh spinach

Air Fryer Salmon

• Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the seasoned salmon in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry the salmon for 10-12 minutes at 370 degrees. Mine was ready right at 10 minutes. Use a meat thermometer and test that the inside of the salmon has reached 145 degrees.

Baked Salmon

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Add the seasoned salmon to a piece of foil large enough to hold the salmon and to wrap and cover it.
• Bake for 10 minutes.
• Unwrap the salmon so it is no longer fully covered. Bake for for another 2-5 minutes. Use a meat thermometer and ensure the fish has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Check the temperature in the thickest part of the fish.

Pan Seared Salmon

• Place a skillet on medium-high heat with olive oil to coat and prevent sticking.
• When the pan is hot, add the seasoned salmon to the pan with the skin side up.
• Allow the salmon to cook for 4 minutes. Do not move the salmon after you have placed it in the skillet.
• Monitor the sides of the salmon to determine the perfect time to flip. When the color of the side of the salmon has lightened about 3/4ths of the way up, it’s time to flip. This usually only takes 3-4 minutes.
• Flip the salmon. I find a silicone spatula works best.
• Cook skin side down for 4 minutes.
• Remove the salmon from the pan.

Assembly

• Add the cooked salmon to the pasta and sauce. Fold to combine the ingredients.

Notes

I love to add a squeeze of fresh lemon and Cajun Seasoning for additional flavor to the sauce.

You can use any pasta you prefer in the recipe: linguine, fettuccine, spaghetti, penne, etc.

You can use half and half or milk instead of heavy cream, but it will alter the texture of the sauce. It won’t be as thick and may turn out watery.

You can use whatever type of cheese you prefer in this recipe. I always recommend you grab blocks of cheese and grate them yourself. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents, such as potato starch or cellulose, to prevent clumping and make it last longer in the store. These coatings interfere with the cheese’s ability to melt smoothly and affect the texture of your dishes. When you grate your cheese fresh, it doesn’t have these additives and preservatives, resulting in a more velvety and evenly melted cheese.

Use thin pasta like spaghetti if you know you like your pasta really creamy.

Avoid overcooking the salmon. Cook it just until it flakes easily with a fork. Overcooked salmon tends to be dry and less flavorful.

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 729kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 50gFat: 40g

Keyword salmon alfredo, salmon Fettuccine, salmon Fettuccine alfredo, salmon pasta

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