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Salmon and peas pasta on a white plate with lots of basil

Salmon pea pasta

Flossie
This flavorful salmon pea pasta is packed with protein and ready in under 30 minutes! Fresh lemon, creamy pesto, and pops of sweet peas equal bliss!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course dinner, Main Course, main meal
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2

Equipment

  • 1 drying pan
  • 1 medium pot for cooking pasta

Ingredients
  

  • 2 salmon fillets skin-on
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 large garlic clove minced
  • 250 g pasta fusilli bucati used here
  • ½ cup Genovese pesto
  • 1 cup frozen peas or approximately 100 g
  • 2 heaped tbsp Sour cream optional
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil for cooking the salmon
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta:

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Prepare the Salmon:

  • While the pasta is cooking, pat the salmon dry and season with salt and pepper, grated garlic, and lemon zest. Brush the fillets lightly with a little olive oil.

Cook the salmon

  • Heat a teaspoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear salmon skin-side down for 4-5 minutes, or until crispy. Flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove the salmon fillets from the pan and set aside.

Make the Sauce:

  • In the same pan used for the salmon, add the remaining lemon zest and garlic and saute gently for a minute or so, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the reserved pasta water, a good dollop of pesto and the frozen peas. Simmer gently for a few minutes, add the sour cream if using and take it off the heat to avoid boiling the cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Combine & Serve:

  • Tumble the cooked pasta in the sauce and give it a good but gentle mix, to coat the pasta well with the creamy sauce. Flake the cooked salmon (use your hands) and add it back to the pan with the peas and cooked pasta. Toss everything together gently until well combined. Serve immediately garnished with fresh basil leaves.

Video

Notes

Take care not to burn the garlic when frying.
Taste the pasta water to make sure it's not too salty.
Don't overcook the salmon, it will be dry and sad 💔.
Don't boil the cream, just stir it through the sauce and remove from the heat.
Keyword salmon and peas pasta, salmon pasta
Tried this recipe?Tag me @candyflossiecooks on Instagram! I'd love to see how your dish turns out ! ✨