Salmon Pasta with Spinach

This Salmon Pasta with Spinach is a deliciously easy pasta recipe with chunks of tender salmon and spinach in a scrumptious, creamy Parmesan sauce!

If you are looking for a quick, delicious, one-pot salmon dinner, you've come to the right place! This Salmon Pasta with Spinach with cream sauce is a staple in my family, and I am sure that after you try it, it'll become a staple in yours. This easy recipe is made in under 30 minutes!

Video Tutorial

How to choose salmon

Under the Country of Origin Labeling law, the USDA requires all retailers to list product origins and the method of production (farm-raised or wild-caught) for seafood. When shopping for salmon, choose wild-caught salmon fillets, that appear moist rather than dried out, since the moisture content is a great indicator of freshness and how carefully the fish was handled. Look for bright pink colors and avoid pale-looking fish.

What kind of pasta to use

Your favorite kind! Seriously, use any pasta you love and have on hand for this delicious recipe. Penne, fettuccine, campanelle, ziti, and rigatoni are among my favorites. I would just recommend avoiding very small pasta varieties, such as orzo, anellini ditalini, etc. Those are best for soups.

What kind of spinach to use

I always recommend using fresh baby spinach. It is tender and very tasty. You can always freeze the leftovers. The leftovers can also be used for smoothies, such as this Spinach Smoothie or Cherry-Spinach Smoothie.

I stay away from store-bought frozen spinach bags because they have a lot of spinach stems a weird texture, and a funny smell.

What you'll need for this recipe

• Salmon. Use nice quality fish.
• Pasta. Use your favorite kind. I used campanelle.
• Butter. Adds a nice rich flavor. Extra virgin olive oil could be used instead.
• Onion. For some sweetness.
• Baby Spinach. Fresh is best.
• Heavy Cream. Or Half & Half.
• Parmesan. Or Pecorino cheese.
• Garlic. Use more or less, depending on your personal preference.
• Salt & Pepper. To taste.
• Parsley. Use fresh parsley or fresh basil for the best flavor. I love adding fresh herbs to my dishes!

How to make Salmon and Spinach Pasta

1. Cook pasta until al dente according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted water.

2. Meanwhile, sauté the onion in butter in a large skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes.

2. Add the salmon and keep cooking for another 5-7 minutes, breaking it into flakes as it cooks.

4. Add the spinach and cook it for 1-2 minutes, until wilted.

5.  Add the heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic, salt and black pepper. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. You can also add a ¼ tsp. of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat if desired.

6.  Add the cooked pasta and chopped parsley. Mix everything thoroughly.

7. Garnish with parsley and grated Parmesan. Serve.

Your filling and delicious dinner is ready! It's one of my favorite salmon recipes and I hope you'll love it, too. This seafood pasta makes a perfect date night or even Valentine's Day dinner and of course, it could be enjoyed with your whole family every week. My kids love it, and they are not easy to please. 

Now it's time to pour a glass of white and enjoy the dish. You weren't drinking while cooking, were you? 🙂

Helpful tips

• Pasta types. You can use any kind of pasta for this dish. I'd recommend medium cuts such as penne, farfalle, radiatore, cavatappi, or rigatoni, but any kind you have in your pantry will work. Whole wheat pasta or GF pasta can be used as well.
• Cream. If you want to substitute heavy cream, use some Half & Half or full-fat coconut milk instead. Just make sure not to use milk, because your creamy sauce will be very thin.
• Add wine. You can add some dry white wine in step 1 when cooking the onions.
• Add lemon. You can add a splash or lemon juice and a touch of lemon zest, for a subtle lemony flavor.
• Season Pasta Water. Add a generous amount of salt to the water when cooking pasta. It makes a difference!
• Other variations. You can add some finely sun-dried tomatoes and cook them together with onions for extra flavor.

How to store and reheat

This salmon pasta will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Store it in an airtight container for the best results. However, it's best eaten right away. Reheat on the stove over low heat, and you can add a splash of water if necessary.

Using leftover salmon

Many of you have asked if leftover salmon could be used in this recipe. The answer is YES. Just add the leftover salmon in Step 3, cook it just enough to heat through, and proceed to add spinach.

What to serve it with

• Bread. Enjoy this pasta dish with some crusty buttered bread, rolls, or breadsticks.
• Soup. Serve a bowl of Hearty Beef Barley Soup, Mushroom Soup, or Easy Greek Chicken Lemon Soup alongside this Salmon Feta Pasta.
• Salad. Start your meal with a cold salad, such as German Cucumber Salad, Roasted Mini Pepper Salad, Amazing Kale Salad, or Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad.
• Vegetables. Pair this dish with sides like Crunchy Baked Broccoli, Baked Potatoes and Zucchini, Garlic Mushrooms, and Baked Mediterranean Vegetables.

Thank you for trying my recipes. If you try this creamy pasta, please, leave the comment below or a star rating, I enjoy reading your feedback. Please, refer to the recipe card below for nutritional information. 

More Tasty Pasta Recipes:

• Creamy Seafood Pasta
• Simple Gemelli Pasta in Tomato Sauce
• Easy Rigatoni Bolognese
• Fettuccine with Roasted Pepper Sauce and Chicken
• Shrimp Fettuccine