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Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta - Restaurant-Quality Weeknight Dinner

This garlic butter salmon pasta brings restaurant-quality seafood flavors to your kitchen with tender, flaky salmon smothered in rich buttery garlic sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's a luxurious yet simple meal perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 oz salmon fillets, skin removed
  • 8 oz pasta (linguine or fettuccine recommended)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup pasta water
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining
  2. Pat salmon dry with paper towels, season both sides with salt and pepper, and cut into 1-inch chunks
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add minced garlic, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, then add lemon juice and zest
  4. Add salmon chunks to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and flaky, then remove salmon and set aside
  5. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with garlic butter sauce, toss to coat while adding reserved pasta water as needed to create silky sauce, then gently stir in salmon pieces
  6. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and optional red pepper flakes, toss once more and serve immediately

Notes

Pasta water is key for creating an emulsified sauce that clings perfectly - don't skip this step. Avoid overcooking salmon by removing it as soon as it flakes easily with a fork. Cook garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitter flavors. Use fresh lemon juice for brightest flavor.