Lemon Salmon Pasta
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Mar. 9, 2025
This Lemon Salmon Pasta is unbelievably easy, healthy, and absolutely delicious. Perfect for a busy weeknight, as it comes together in just 30 minutes or less.
In This Article
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Video: watch us make this Recipe
Why This Recipe Stands Out
We’ve all heard of classic pasta dishes, but this Lemon Salmon Pasta recipe is a total showstopper. Here’s why it’s our new favorite:
- Less than 30 minutes: This dish takes 30 minutes or less, it’s healthy, and it tastes phenomenal..
- Incredible Flavor: There’s nothing like the smoky, salty, and delicious flavor of good smoked salmon. It also shines in our Smoked Salmon Roll-Ups recipe.
- Creamy Lemon Sauce: The creamy lemon sauce is lusciously smooth and bursting with tangy, citrusy flavors. It reminds us of our Lemon Garlic Pasta!
- Healthy and Delicious: We love the combination of the tender asparagus tips, the rich salmon, and the perfectly cooked pasta. Beautiful ingredients, fresh flavors, and healthy-ish in the best way possible.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Linguini or Spaghetti – The base of our dish, pasta provides a deliciously hearty foundation that holds the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Salt and Pepper – These two simple ingredients are used to season the dish to perfection, enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Asparagus – Fresh asparagus adds a pop of color to our dish and a satisfying crunch and a light, earthy flavor.
- Smoked Salmon – This is the star of our dish, adding a rich, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with the lemon and cream.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions:
- Pasta: This recipe calls for linguini or spaghetti, but you can also use fettuccine, angel hair, or even short pasta like penne or farfalle.
- Asparagus: If asparagus isn’t in season or you’re not a fan, try green beans or snap peas instead. You can also take some veggie inspiration from our Pasta Primavera.
- Smoked Salmon: If you’re not a fan of smoked salmon, you can use regular cooked salmon or even canned salmon instead.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Boil pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water. In a large skillet, sauté onion and garlic in butter.
- Add heavy cream and lemon zest. Simmer for 8-10 minutes. Add lemon juice and set aside.
- Microwave asparagus tips until they turn bright green. In a large serving dish, mix the pasta with the lemon sauce. Add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Gently toss in the asparagus and smoked salmon. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Chop Ahead: The onions and garlic can be chopped ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. This is a great way to save time on the day of cooking and keep your kitchen tidy.
- Make the Sauce: The lemon cream sauce can be made a day in advance. Simply let it cool, then cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to cook, gently reheat the sauce while the pasta is cooking.
What To Serve With Lemon Salmon Pasta
Bread
- Rosemary Garlic Bread or Olive Garden Breadsticks are classic options to pair with pasta.
- Garlic Cheese Bread is another great option that will pair beautifully with this delicious Lemon Salmon Pasta.
Sides
- A simple green salad is a great way to round out your meal. Consider this Kale Brussel Sprouts Salad or an Easy Chopped Greek Salad.
- If you want to keep it all veggies, a side of Roasted Vegetables or Roasted Brussels Sprouts would be a great choice.
Commonly Asked Questions
What type of salmon should I use for this recipe?
We recommend using smoked salmon for this recipe. It’s already cooked and has a delicious flavor that pairs well with the lemon and asparagus. You can find smoked salmon in the seafood section of most grocery stores.
How do I know when the asparagus is cooked?
The asparagus is cooked when it turns a bright green color. Be careful not to overcook it, as it should still have a bit of a crunch when you bite into it. We recommend microwaving it for 1-2 minutes, as it will continue to cook slightly when you add it to the hot pasta.
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can easily make this recipe dairy-free by using olive oil instead of butter and replacing the heavy cream with coconut cream or a dairy-free alternative like cashew cream.
How long does lemon salmon pasta keep?
Lemon salmon pasta can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Did you make this?
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Lemon Salmon Pasta
This Lemon Salmon Pasta is unbelievably easy, healthy, and absolutely delicious. Perfect for a busy weeknight, as it comes together in just 30 minutes or less.
Ingredients
- 1 lb linguine or spaghetti, uncooked
- 3-4 TB olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 7 cloves cloves, chopped
- 3 TB salted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups fresh asparagus tips, 2-inch pieces
- ½ lb smoked salmon, sliced into bite size pieces
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions for al dente; do not overcook.
- Drain pasta, but reserve 1 cup of the pasta water to set aside. Sprinkle with 3-4 TB olive oil to prevent sticking. Keep warm and set aside.
- While pasta is cooking: Place butter in a large heavy skillet and heat over medium high heat until warm.
- Add onion and stir 1 minute or until translucent. Add garlic and stir 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and lemon zest. Bring mixture to a simmer; stir occasionally and simmer 8-10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add lemon juice and remove from heat. Cover to keep warm.
- Place asparagus tips in a shallow, microwavable dish. Add 1/4 cup water, cover, and microwave 1-2 minutes or just until asparagus turns a bright green color.
- In a large pot or serving dish, gently toss pasta with lemon sauce to combine well. Add desired amount of reserved pasta sauce to loosen as needed.
- Gently toss in the cooked asparagus and smoked salmon. Add salt and pepper to taste, as needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Always cook your pasta in generously salted water. This helps to season the pasta itself and can make a big difference in the overall flavor of your dish.
- Make sure to cook your pasta “al dente” according to the package instructions. This means it’s still slightly firm when bitten and will hold up well when mixed with the other ingredients.
- When cooking the asparagus, microwave in a shallow, microwave-safe dish with a little water. This helps them retain their vibrant green color and crisp texture.
- This recipe is part of our Healthy 30-Minute Dinners Recipe Collection.
- Pair this delicious pasta with some Rosemary Garlic Bread or Olive Garden Breadsticks.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. We ❤️ hearing from you!
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 527kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 354mg | Potassium: 390mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 838IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg
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