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Creamy Tuscan Salmon Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade Dinner with Capers and Lemon

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A quick and easy creamy Tuscan salmon pasta featuring tender salmon, a silky cream cheese sauce, bright lemon, and briny capers. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner ready in about 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each), skin removed
  • 8 oz (225 g) fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
  • 2 oz (60 g) cream cheese, softened
  • Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
  • 2 cups (about 60 g) baby spinach (optional)
  • ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (9–11 minutes). Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Sear salmon for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to plate and flake into large chunks.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter to skillet. Add garlic and shallots; cook about 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  4. Stir in capers and baby spinach; cook until spinach wilts, about 1–2 minutes.
  5. Pour in heavy cream and add cream cheese. Stir continuously until cream cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 3–4 minutes. Add lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Add drained pasta and flaked salmon to skillet. Toss gently to coat. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  7. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over pasta and toss once more.
  8. Serve immediately with an extra lemon wedge if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook the salmon; it should be opaque but still moist. Use room temperature cream cheese for a smoother sauce. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Melt cream cheese over medium-low heat to prevent curdling. Season gradually to avoid over-salting due to capers and Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon pasta, creamy pasta, Tuscan salmon, capers, lemon, easy dinner, weeknight meal, creamy sauce, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/creamy-tuscan-salmon-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-with-capers-and-lemon/