• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY
  • Recipes
    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
    • Meatless Monday
    • Appetizer
    • Air fryer

The Dinner Bite logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY
  • Recipes
    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
    • Meatless Monday
    • Appetizer
    • Air fryer
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Pasta Recipes » Easy Salmon Pasta Without Cream

    Published: Sep 16, 2022 by Ajoke · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Easy Salmon Pasta Without Cream

    Skip to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This easy salmon pasta without cream is delicious, indulgent, healthy, and full of flavor! It's perfect for a date night or a quick, easy weeknight meal. Plus, it's ready in just 30 minutes!

    You can serve this delicious salmon pasta on its own or with a side of sauteed or steamed vegetables, and garlic bread to make it a complete, balanced meal.

    a clsoe shot of salmon pasta in a skillet.

    Easy salmon pasta recipe

    I am all for a quick and easy 30 minutes meal, especially during the weekdays. This salmon pasta is one of those meals that is really simple to make but tastes like a million dollars just like this canned tuna pasta. It is quick and you only need a handful of ingredients. salmon, pasta, butter, garlic, onion, spices, and Parmesan cheese. That's it!

    Instead of cream, I used milk as a substitute but honestly, it can be made without milk and it would still taste amazing. No, it is not dry, every inch of the pasta is coated with that buttery garlic flavor and parmesan cheese. You will love this recipe! It tastes just like what you ordered from your favorite restaurant but even better.

    two plates of pasta placed beside a napkin.

    What you need to make salmon pasta

    To make this salmon pasta without cream, you'll need the following ingredients

    Pasta: I used rigatoni but penne, spaghetti or any other variety of pasta would work for this recipe.

    Salmon

    Olive oil

    Garlic: Use fresh garlic if you could otherwise substitute it with garlic powder or granules

    Onions

    Milk: this is optional

    Butter: I used unsalted butter

    Parmesan cheese: this is also optional but it is highly recommended for that extra boost of flavor. Substitute the parmesan cheese for a vegetarian or vegan version

    Red pepper flakes; for a little bit of heat

    Dried parsley

    Salt and black pepper to taste

    Pasta water: make sure to reserve some pasta water

    Ingredients to make salmon pasta on the tables.

    Notes

    This is a quick recipe that comes together in under 10 minutes or less once the fish and pasta are cooked. You will have to work simultaneously here.

    • I recommend cooking the salmon first, and the pasta is almost 90% cooked before you start making the sauce.
    • Prep all the ingredients beforehand and make sure they are within arm's reach. This is not the time to be looking for things while you are cooking.
    • You can make this dish with skinless or skin-on salmon. If you don't want the skin on the fish, remove it after you finish searing it as it is much easier to do that way.

    How to make salmon pasta without cream

    Cook the pasta Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the dried pasta, and cook according to package instructions until aldente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water then drain and set aside.

    Cook the salmon: you can either bake, air fry, or sear the salmon. I seared it and here is how I did it.

    Pat the salmon dry with a kitchen paper towel then season with salt and black pepper

    Place a pan on medium-high heat then add oil. Once the pan is hot, place the salmon skin side up and cook for 3-4 minutes without moving it in the pan. Flip the salmon over and cook for another 2-3 minutes until it is cooked through.

    Remove from heat and set aside on a plate then flake the salmon into big chunks with a fork.

    Reduce the heat, still using the same pan (reduce the oil if need be, you only need about 1 Tablespoon of oil in the pan). Add chopped onions to the pan and cook for about 1 minute until soft and translucent, add butter and chopped garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

    Add about 20% of the flaked salmon, black pepper, and chili flakes to that sauteed aromatic stir to combine, and cook for 30 seconds.

    Pour the milk, ½cup pasta water, and parmesan cheese, stir to combine, and cook for about 1 minute or so or just until the sauce reduces and thickens enough to coat the pasta nicely.

    Add cooked pasta and toss gently into the sauce, then add the remaining salmon then gently stir or toss to combine to avoid breaking the fish. If the pasta is too dry, add more pasta water.

    Taste and add more salt and pepper if need be. Take it off the heat and serve immediately with more parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon.

    the process shot of how to make salmon pasta.

    How to store and reheat

    This pasta dish is best served immediately while it is still fresh, however, leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container and placed in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    Reheat on the stove over low heat until warmed through with a splash of water, broth, or milk to help bring it back to life. You may also reheat it in the microwave.

    a skillet full of salmon psata.

    Tips

    • Add freshly squeezed lemon juice for an extra tang.
    • Use leftover cooked salmon or substitute it with canned salmon
    • Throw in some cherry tomatoes or sundried tomatoes to this if you prefer.
    • Stir in some baby spinach to the dish just before you take it off the heat for a pop of color and an all-round healthy dinner.

    More easy pasta recipes you should try

    Pink sauce pasta

    Bacon and peas pasta

    Roasted red pepper pasta

    Creamy mushroom pasta

    Garlic butter pasta

    Creamy Cajun chicken pasta

    Broccoli pasta with shrimp

    Tortellini pesto pasta salad

    Lemon garlic pasta

    a plate of samon pasta served with grated parmesan cheese.
    salmon pasta in a slillet with a napkin placed beside it.

    Easy Salmon Pasta Without Cream

    Ajoke
    This easy salmon pasta without cream is delicious, indulgent, healthy, and full of flavor! It's perfect for a date night or a quick, easy weeknight meal. Plus, it's ready in just 30 minutes! You can serve this delicious salmon pasta on its own or with a side of sauteed or steamed vegetables, and garlic bread to make it a complete, balanced meal.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 18 mins
    Total Time 23 mins
    Course Dinner, Pasta
    Cuisine American, British
    Servings 4
    Calories 770 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 400 g dry pasta I used rigatoni but penne, spaghetti or any other variety of pasta would work for this recipe.
    • 1 lb Salmon
    • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
    • 3 garlic cloves chopped
    • ½ cup onions chopped
    • ⅓ cup milk optional
    • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • Red pepper flakes to taste
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
    • Salt and black pepper to taste
    • 1 cup pasta water

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the pasta Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the dried pasta, and cook according to package instructions until aldente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water then drain and set aside.
    • Cook the salmon: Pat the salmon dry with a kitchen paper towel then season with salt and black pepper
    • Place a pan on medium-high heat then add oil. Once the pan is hot, place the salmon skin side up and cook for 3-4 minutes without moving it in the pan. Flip the salmon over and cook for another 2-3 minutes until it is cooked through.
    • Remove from heat and set aside on a plate then flake the salmon into big chunks with a fork.
    • Reduce the heat, still using the same pan (reduce the oil if need be, you only need about 1 Tablespoon of oil in the pan). Add chopped onions to the pan and cook for about 1 minute until soft and translucent, add butter and chopped garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
    • Add about 20% of the flaked salmon, black pepper, and chili flakes to that sauteed aromatic stir to combine, and cook for 30 seconds.
    • Pour the milk, ½ cup pasta water, and parmesan cheese, stir to combine, and cook for about 1 minute or so or just until the sauce reduces and thickens enough to coat the pasta.
    • Add cooked pasta and toss gently into the sauce, then add the remaining flaked salmon then gently stir or toss to combine to avoid breaking the fish. If the pasta is too dry, add more pasta water. Taste and add more salt and pepper if need be.
    • Take it off the heat and serve immediately with more parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon and a side of crusty bread.

    Notes

    Notes
    This is a quick recipe that comes together in under 10 minutes or less once the fish and pasta are cooked. You will have to work simultaneously here.
    I recommend cooking the salmon first, and the pasta is almost 90% cooked before you start making the sauce.
    Prep all the ingredients beforehand and make sure they are within arm's reach. This is not the time to be looking for things while you are cooking.
    You can make this dish with skinless or skin-on salmon. If you don't want the skin on the fish, remove it after you finish searing it as it is much easier to do that way.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 770kcalCarbohydrates: 82gProtein: 44gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 509mgPotassium: 870mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 478IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 296mgIron: 3mg

    Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

    Keyword easy salmon pasta, how to make salmon pasta, salmon pasta without cream
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thedinnerbite or tag #thedinnerbite!
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    So there you have it, an easy and delicious easy garlic butter salmon pasta with no cream recipe that the whole family will love. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 star and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save it away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox

    13 shares

    Filed Under: Pasta Recipes

    About Ajoke

    Hello, Nice to meet you! Welcome and thanks for visiting my food blog "The Dinner Bite". Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience

    Previous Post: « Easy Hunters Chicken Recipe
    Next Post: Chicken With Bell Peppers And Onions Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Ajoke.

    It is really nice to meet you! Welcome and thanks for visiting my food blog "The Dinner Bite". Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience.

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Easy Vanilla Sponge Cake Recipe
    • Instant pot fish (frozen Cod)
    • Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe
    • Easy Iced Coffee Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 The Dinner Bite