Salmon alfredo is a creamy flavorful pasta dish that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. With just a few simple ingredients like fettuccine salmon, and a homemade alfredo sauce, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in under 30 minutes.
Overview of Salmon Alfredo
Salmon alfredo combines tender, flaky salmon with fettuccine pasta and a rich alfredo sauce. The sauce is made from butter, cream, parmesan, and seasonings. Once the sauce is ready, the cooked pasta and salmon are gently tossed together with the sauce so that everything is lightly coated. The result is an elegant, decadent pasta dish that looks impressive but takes little effort to prepare.
Some key features of salmon alfredo include
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Flaky, buttery salmon – Salmon fillets are lightly seasoned and then baked or pan seared Using high quality salmon is important for the best flavor.
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Creamy alfredo sauce – A classic alfredo is made from just butter, cream, parmesan, and seasoning. The sauce comes together quickly on the stovetop.
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Tender fettuccine pasta – Ribbon-shaped fettuccine works beautifully and holds the creamy sauce nicely. Cook it al dente so it retains a pleasant chewy texture.
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Fresh parsley and lemon – Bright garnishes like parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice add liveliness and prevent the dish from feeling too heavy.
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Easy 30 minute meal – Thanks to ready-to-use ingredients like pasta and pre-portioned salmon fillets, dinner is ready fast.
Step-by-Step Guide
Making salmon alfredo at home is easy. Just follow these simple steps:
Prep the Salmon
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Pat dry 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets and season both sides with salt and pepper. Salmon can be used with or without skin as desired.
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Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Place the salmon fillets skin-side down on the baking sheet.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes apart easily with a fork. Remove from oven and set aside.
Cook the Pasta
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Add 8oz of dried fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes.
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Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water to use in the sauce. This will help emulsify the sauce.
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Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
Make the Alfredo Sauce
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Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
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Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
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Pour in 1 cup heavy cream, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning. Whisk and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
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Remove pan from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese until smooth.
Combine the Pasta, Salmon, and Sauce
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Add the cooked fettuccine and 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to the sauce.
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Gently toss to coat pasta strands.
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Fold in the flaked salmon pieces until combined.
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If needed, add more pasta water to thin out the sauce to desired consistency.
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Heat over medium just until warmed through, about 1-2 minutes.
Finish and Serve
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Divide salmon alfredo between 4 plates.
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Garnish with chopped parsley and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Add lemon wedges for squeezing over top if desired.
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Serve immediately while the pasta is hot and silky smooth. Enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Salmon Alfredo
Follow these tips for perfect, restaurant-worthy salmon alfredo every time:
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Use high quality salmon fillets without bones or skin for the easiest prep. Wild caught is best.
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Make sure to bake the salmon until opaque and flaky – don’t overcook.
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Cook fettuccine to al dente according to package directions for the best texture.
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Grate parmesan cheese from a block rather than pre-grated cheese for a smooth sauce.
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Save some starchy pasta water before draining to help the sauce cling to the pasta strands.
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Toss the pasta with sauce over low heat to gently warm through without overcooking the salmon.
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Add pasta water to thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick.
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Work quickly and serve immediately for hot, creamy pasta perfection.
Simple Variations
While the basic recipe is fantastic as is, there are lots of easy ways to put your own spin on salmon alfredo:
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Use lemon pepper instead of regular black pepper to season the salmon.
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Stir in a handful of chopped sun-dried tomatoes for savory flavor.
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Top with crispy bacon crumbles or prosciutto for a salty crunch.
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Add freshly chopped basil or parsley to the sauce just before tossing for freshness.
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Swap out fettuccine for linguine, tagliatelle, or angel hair pasta.
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For spicy salmon alfredo, add red pepper flakes or cajun seasoning to taste.
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Garnish plates with grated lemon zest and a drizzle of olive oil.
Cooking and Serving Tips
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Make the sauce first while the pasta and salmon cook since the sauce comes together quickly.
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Let salmon rest 2-3 minutes after baking so it holds together when flaking into the pasta.
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Cook pasta very al dente so it doesn’t get mushy when tossed with the hot sauce.
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Add more cream or pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed before serving.
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Toss the pasta with sauce over low heat and serve immediately for the best texture.
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Leftover sauce may split when reheated – add cream to smooth it out again.
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Cooked salmon alfredo sauce can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months.
Common Questions
What pasta shapes can I use? While fettuccine is traditional, spaghetti, linguine, tagliatelle and pappardelle also work well. Angel hair pasta may get overcooked.
Can I use jarred alfredo sauce? Making the sauce from scratch results in much better flavor, but you can substitute 2 cups prepared alfredo sauce if needed.
What can I serve with salmon alfredo? Serve it as is or with side salad, garlic bread or vegetables like roasted asparagus or broccoli.
Can I make this dish gluten free? Yes, use gluten free pasta and make sure to use gluten free panko for breadcrumbs when cooking the salmon.
Can I freeze leftover salmon alfredo? The pasta and sauce freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop over low heat.
Conclusion
Salmon alfredo is a simple yet impressive pasta dish that can be made any night of the week. With minimal ingredients and easy preparation, you can enjoy restaurant-worthy salmon alfredo in the comfort of your own home. Follow the step-by-step instructions and incorporate the cooking tips for perfect results. Feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes or mix-ins to make this classic dish your own. Enjoy salmon alfredo for a quick, creamy weeknight meal!
In the Microwave
Microwaving is perfect when you’re in a hurry. Place your Alfredo pasta in a microwave-safe bowl, add a few tablespoons of water or milk, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
After 1 minute on high power, remove the bowl and stir. If you notice it’s dry, add a little more water before returning it for an additional 1 – 2 minutes.
Is Salmon Alfredo Healthy?
Yes, our salmon Alfredo recipe is healthy.
A creamy pasta sauce like Alfredo can be high in calories and loaded with excessive saturated fat. However, this problem can be eliminated with a few adjustments to the original recipe.
As the dish contains calorie-dense ingredients, it’s important to be mindful of the size of each portion. Each serving contains a balanced amount of 505 calories. This allows you to combine more green veg and fruits with the meal.
We also used just enough butter, cream, and milk to create the velvety, creamy sauce while keeping the saturated fat at approximately 9 g for each serving, complying with our nutritional guidelines.