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+ servings
Overhead photo of skillet filled with spiral shaped noodles tossed with pesto, and chunks of salmon.

Salmon Pesto Pasta

This Salmon Pesto Pasta is a restaurant-quality dish that comes together very easily at home. So flavorful, elegant and quick enough to make on a weeknight!
4.8 from 14 ratings

Ingredients

  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 1 center cut salmon fillet 12 ounce
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided, plus more for pasta water
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper divided
  • 12 ounces dried fusilli or other short pasta
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup less-sodium chicken broth
  • ¾ cup prepared basil pesto
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
  • Red pepper flakes for serving (optional)
  • Fresh basil and lemon wedges for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray small rimmed baking pan with nonstick spray. Place salmon, skin side down, on prepared pan and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Transfer to oven and bake 18 to 20 minutes or until salmon is almost opaque throughout and internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
  • Meanwhile, in large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions for al dente, stirring occasionally. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water before draining pasta.
  • Meanwhile, heat butter in large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • While whisking, gradually add broth. Stir in pesto, lemon zest and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until mixture has thickened to a thin sauce consistency, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low.
  • Add pasta to skillet, along with 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Cook over low heat, tossing constantly, 1 to 2 minutes or until all pasta is throughly coated in sauce. Add additional pasta cooking water, if needed, to keep things saucy!
  • Remove salmon from oven. Slip spatula between salmon skin and flesh to remove skin; discard skin. Break salmon into large chunks over pasta.
  • Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, if desired, over pasta . Serve garnished with fresh basil and lemon wedges, if desired.

Notes

  • While I love recipes where leftovers can be reheated for lunch the next day, this salmon pesto pasta is one that is best eaten immediately (just like my Greek yogurt pasta sauce and salmon piccata). Does “reheated fish pasta” sound good to anybody? I mean, it doesn’t to me.
Calories: 687kcal, Carbohydrates: 70g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 66mg, Sodium: 1078mg, Potassium: 674mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1148IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 113mg, Iron: 2mg
This website provides estimated nutrition information as a courtesy only. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Did you make this recipe?Leave a Review below or share a photo and tag me on Instagram @foxeslovelemons with the hashtag #foxeslovelemons.