This creamy Salmon Fettuccine Alfredo features tender, flaky salmon, a rich homemade alfredo sauce, and a hint of Cajun seasoning for a little kick. This comforting seafood dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy dinner at home or impressing dinner guests.
About the Recipe
The salmon is seasoned with Cajun seasoning which adds a wonderful depth of flavor while perfectly complementing the creamy Alfredo sauce. The combination of butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese creates a rich, velvety cream sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. This will become one of your favorite pasta dishes!
This pasta dish is a perfect match for a simple green salad and a warm, crusty loaf of bread. An ideal option for a dinner party, a special occasion, or even a delicious weeknight meal. There is no doubt this salmon recipe will become a favorite in your recipe collection.
If you like creamy pastas at Italian restaurants, this dish is for you! Alfredo is a favorite sauce of mine, and this creamy sauce is even better when you make it at home.
If you are looking for more delicious salmon recipes, check out our: Salmon Carpaccio, Baked Greek Salmon or Salmon & Crispy Rice with Summer Green Salsa.
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
Flavorful - The blend of Cajun seasoned salmon and rich Alfredo sauce is a delicious mixture of flavors that are both comforting and satisfying.
Simple - Despite its gourmet appearance and flavors, this pasta dish is straightforward and can be prepared easily at home without too much hassle.
Versatile - This is a recipe that is perfect for various occasions, whether it's a family dinner, a special celebration, or a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this salmon alfredo pasta:
- Salmon - Use two 4-ounce salmon filets. You can use any type of salmon, like Atlantic salmon or sockeye salmon.
- Cajun seasoning
- Olive oil
- Pasta
- Butter
- Garlic - I always recommend using fresh garlic cloves over jarred.
- Heavy whipping cream
- Salt & black pepper
- Parmesan cheese - Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
Directions
Let's make this comfort food recipe together!
Step 1: Pat the salmon dry using paper towels and season with the cajun seasoning.
Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and salmon. Cook for 4 minutes per side or until golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the pasta according to package instructions, reserving 1 cup of cooking water before draining.
Step 4: While the pasta is cooking, add the butter and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant.
Step 5: Add the heavy cream to the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Add the salt, black pepper and 2 cups of parmesan cheese and whisk until the cheese is melted.
Step 6: Add the pasta to the skillet, toss until combined and pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
Step 8: Top the pasta with the salmon filets and serve with additional parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this salmon fettuccine alfredo recipe:
Pat the salmon dry - Before seasoning the salmon, make sure to pat it dry with a paper towel. This helps the Cajun seasoning adhere better and ensures a nice, crispy sear.
Don’t overcook the salmon - Cook the salmon just until it flakes easily with a fork, about 4 minutes per side. Overcooked salmon can become dry and less flavorful.
Reserve pasta water - The starchy pasta water is helpful in thinning out the sauce if needed.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this creamy salmon pasta. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Large Skillet - You'll want a high quality large skillet with enough room to make the sauce and add the pasta.
- Pasta Bowl - I love serving pasta in good quality pasta bowls. They're perfect for a variety of dishes, so they're super versatile!
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this salmon pasta dish.
Salmon: If you would rather, you could use chicken, shrimp, crabmeat, or scallops in place of the salmon. All would be equally as delicious in this dish.
Additions: Some great vegetable additions would be spinach, sun dried tomatoes or broccoli. If you want a bit more of a kick, add some red pepper flakes.
Toppings: Along with the extra parmesan for the top, you could also add some fresh basil or parsley as a garnish.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes that would be great to serve alongside this salmon alfredo recipe:
Baked Zucchini Slices: This easy and incredibly satisfying recipe for Baked Zucchini Slices has tender zucchini rounds that are generously seasoned with a trio of garlic powder, onion powder and parmesan cheese.
Spicy Cucumber Salad: This Spicy Cucumber Salad is a perfect blend of bold and savory flavors. The combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili oil infuses crisp mini cucumbers with the best flavor. This is a refreshing and zesty side dish that is quick to prepare and adds a delicious kick to your meal.
Fire Roasted Tomatoes: These Fire Roasted Tomatoes are a delicious recipe you have to make! Sliced tomatoes are tossed with olive oil and Italian seasoning, then roasted in a hot oven until they are perfectly charred and delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen salmon fillets. Make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before seasoning and cooking.
You can substitute Cajun seasoning with Old Bay, Italian seasoning, or even a simple blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare components like cooking the salmon and making the sauce ahead of time. Reheat gently before serving with fresh cooked pasta.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this recipe.
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat until warm.
Other Pasta Recipes to Try
Salmon Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients
- 2 4 oz salmon filets
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
Instructions
- Pat salmon dry. Season with cajun seasoning.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and salmon seasoning to the pan. Cook for 4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, add butter and garlic to the skillet. Sauté garlic for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Add heavy cream. And reduce heat to low.
- Add salt, black pepper, and 2 cups parmesan cheese to the pan and whisk until cheese is melted.
- Add pasta to the skillet. Toss until combined, adding pasta water to thin the sauce as needed. Top with salmon fillets and serve with additional parmesan cheese.
Nia Jax says
The Salmon Fettuccine Alfredo recipe sounds absolutely delicious and comforting. Your attention to detail and passion for creating flavorful dishes shines through in your post!