• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Girl Carnivore logo

  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Lamb Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Poultry Recipes
    • Seafood and Fish
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Campfire Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Grilling Recipes
    • Leftover Recipes
    • Pressure Cooker Recipes
    • Sandwiches
    • Soups & Stew Recipes
    • Sous-Vide
    • Weeknight Quickie
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Collections
  • All Recent Recipes
  • Keto & Whole 30 Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Quick Weeknight Pan Seared Salmon in a Cream Sauce with Pasta

    | Yield 6 | October 24, 2015 | Updated: July 11, 2021 by Kita | This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    • Facebook
    • Pin It
    • Yummly

    In under 30 minutes, I can have a filling, healthy meal on the table filled with fresh healthy ingredients. It’s the perfect mix of weeknight convenience and restaurant-quality flavor that is sure to please.

    Salmon in Cream Sauce over Pasta

    When I get home from work, it’s a mad rush to walk the dogs, do the laundry, prep meals for the next day and feed my family, all before collapsing to relax for a bit. I have a hard-working bunch that comes home starving and ready to devour anything in front of them, and no one wants to have to wait.

    Easy seared salmon pasta in cream sauce

    Dinner needs to be on the table quick, without any stress and little prep work so that everyone sits down happy before the hangry-fairy strikes. Can you actually get Salmon in Cream Sauce done in that time?

    Yes. Indeed, yes, you can.

    That’s when I get a little creative in my kitchen and look at what I have on hand. Reaching for a jar of premade sauce, I feel the craving for something hearty start to stir. I route through my pantry and grab some delicious, healthy options like whole wheat pasta and find some frozen peas, fresh mushrooms, and onion to add some texture and flavor.

    All of this will go great with that fresh salmon I had picked up from the market and was looking to put to use.

    Only two pans needed

    In under 30 minutes, with only two pans to wash, I have a filling, healthy meal on the table filled with fresh healthy ingredients. It’s the perfect mix of weeknight convenience with restaurant-quality flavor that is sure to please. And now, I can sit down and relax.

    So what kind of salmon works best for pasta?

    First, while not all salmon are created equal, that doesn’t mean their differences make one better or worse than any other. In terms of this pasta dish, the cream sauce adds plenty of richness, so you don’t need the fattier salmon at all to make it work.

    There are a lot of varieties of salmon but here is what you find most often:

    • King or Chinook – the biggest and fattiest. When you see that really expensive Copper River salmon, it is typically Chinook. Not always though because there are coho and sockeye from there too. (Copper River is in Alaska, but ask any Alaskan and most will tell you that is good, but not the best salmon in the state).
    • Atlantic Salmon – These are all farm raised. Which has pluses and minuses, but on the plus side it is less expensive and sold everywhere. Plus it is sustainably sourced.
    • Coho are also known as “silver” salmon. They taste a bit less fishy, but they still have flavor and work great in pasta dishes like this.
    • Pink salmon are also called “Humpies” or humpback salmon and these are ok fresh but often this is the type of salmon found in cans.
    • Chum salmon are typically used for smoking. They will work in pasta dishes quite nicely too.
    Salmon in Cream Sauce over Pasta

    Storing leftovers

    Ok, let’s cut to the chase. There is a reason salmon has a well deserved reputation for the fish you don’t want to forget in the fridge. Leftover salmon that goes bad will have you thinking about moving out of your home until the bio rescue team conducts a thorough cleansing.

    But you can get away with a day or two. No more. Forget storing it in the freezer though, it ruins the cream sauce and just isn’t appetizing.

    The perfect seafood

    After a week chasing Salmon in Alaska with local harvesters, I may be convinced that it is the perfect seafood. These recipes will keep you coming back for more!

    • Quick Salmon Curry
    • Whole 30 Approved Pan Seared Salmon with Creamy Leeks and Poached Egg
    • Cast-Ironed Blackened Salmon with Cucumber Mango Relish and Avocado Cream
    • Ancho Rubbed Grilled Salmon with Nogada Sauce

    If you’ve tried my Pan Seared Salmon with Cream Sauce over Pasta, or any other recipe on GirlCarnivore.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below. I get inspired by your feedback and comments! You can also FOLLOW along on Instagram @girlcarnivore as well as on  Twitter and Facebook.

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Quick Weeknight Pan Seared Salmon in a Cream Sauce with Pasta

    This is a 30 minute salmon pasta meal that uses ingredients you have on hand to dress up pasta night while still keeping things simple.
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Author: Kita Roberts
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 252kcal

    Equipment

    • skillet
    • boiler

    Ingredients

    • 6 oz Farfalle pasta
    • 1 tbs Olive Oil
    • 8 oz Salmon
    • Salt and Pepper
    • ½ Onion minced
    • 4 oz Baby Bella Mushrooms washed and sliced
    • ½ teas Dried Oregano
    • ½ teas Dried Basil
    • 1 jar 23 oz Prego Red Sauce of Choice
    • 2 oz Cream Cheese
    • 8 oz Frozen Peas heated
    • Fresh Basil for Garnish

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling water to just al dente. Drain and set aside.
    • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    • Pat the salmon dry and season with salt and pepper. Lay in the skillet and cook for 7 – 10 minutes, flipping once half-way through, depending on thickness (fish will flake easily with a fork when done).
    • Remove from pan and set aside.
    • In the same skillet, stir in the mushrooms and onions.
    • Cook for 3 to 5 minutes to soften. Stir in the Prego sauce and the cream cheese to heat through. Mix so that the cream cheese melts.
    • Meanwhile, break the salmon up into bite-sized pieces and discard skin.
    • Stir the cooked pasta, peas and salmon into the sauce. Toss to combine.
    • Serve with fresh basil on top as a garnish and enjoy.

    Notes

    If you don’t have salmon, or don’t care for it, this dish is great with cooked chicken or shrimp as well. 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Quick Weeknight Pan Seared Salmon in a Cream Sauce with Pasta
    Amount Per Serving (1 g)
    Calories 252 Calories from Fat 81
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 9g14%
    Saturated Fat 3g19%
    Cholesterol 31mg10%
    Sodium 53mg2%
    Potassium 461mg13%
    Carbohydrates 29g10%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 15g30%
    Vitamin A 431IU9%
    Vitamin C 16mg19%
    Calcium 42mg4%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information provided is an estimate. For specific health concerns, please put the recipe into your Dr recommended nutrition calculator.
    Made My Recipe?Mention @girlcarnivore and tag #girlcarnivore!
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Flipboard
    • Yummly
    « Grilled Chicken Tequila Tortilla Soup
    Fried Honey Dijon Leg of Lamb Recipe & Tips for using your Big Easy Oil-less Turkey Fryer »

    About Kita

    Hey, I'm Kita, the Meat Maven, outdoor junkie, campfire connoisseur, adventure-seeking and world traveled recipe developer and photographer behind GirlCarnivore.com. My mission is to break down savory eats and inspire you to get a little grit under your nails while having fun with your food. READ MORE

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shawn @ I Wash You Dry says

      October 26, 2015 at 2:47 pm

      This looks so great! I love a good quick dinner recipe!

      Reply
    2. Aimee @ ShugarySweets says

      October 27, 2015 at 8:54 am

      We just had salmon last night, wish I saw this recipe!! going on the menu for next week’s salmon night! PINNED 🙂

      Reply
    3. Peabody (Culinary Concoctions by Peabody) says

      October 27, 2015 at 2:57 pm

      Looks like a great, quick, weeknight meal!

      Reply
    4. Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says

      October 29, 2015 at 10:02 pm

      I am always looking for new easy weeknight meals and this looks delicious!

      Reply
    5. Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says

      October 30, 2015 at 12:15 am

      I know how that is needing quick and easy meals to fall back on when everyone comes home ravenous!! I love this idea – pasta is always a hit at my house!

      Reply

    Tried this recipe? Leave feedback or a comment about it! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore

    Hi, I’m Kita! The meat maven for GirlCarnivore®. I’m a freelancing creator, recipe developer, photographer, and world-traveling food junkie. 

    More about me →

    Check out the GirlCarnivore® Spiceline!

    Newest Posts

    • 50 of the Best Burgers for Grilling
    • Keto Bang Bang Shrimp in the Air Fryer
    • Campfire Grilled Tomahawk Steak
    • Braised Beef Cheek Ragu

    Fan Favorite Recipes

    • New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
    • Perfect Oven-Roasted Rack of Pork
    • Smoked Beef Tenderloin
    • Char-grilled Roast Beef

    Stay Up to Date

    Thanks for signing up! Check your email for a confirmation and make sure you actually signed up. Ugh technology.

    Footer

    About Girl Carnivore

    Girl Carnivore is a food site designed to inspire cooks from beginner to pro with recipes created by chef and culinary expert, Kita Roberts.  From savory burgers, to healthy meals, global flavor infusions cooked over grills, livefire, or in traditional ovens, #GirlCarnivore is here to help you break down barriers and make cooking fun again.

    As Seen On

    Content on GirlCarnivore.com may feature affiliate links which help support the site by paying me a commission if you use the link to purchase the product. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    • home
    • Work with Girl Carnivore

    Copyright © 2022 Girl Carnivore® • Privacy Policy

    • 69