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.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound linguine , or spaghetti, uncooked
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 tablespoons butter, salted
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups fresh asparagus tips, 2-inch pieces
- ½ pound 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.
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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