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Creamy Garlic Salmon and Broccoli Pasta

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A cozy, creamy garlic salmon and broccoli pasta that comes together quickly for an easy weeknight dinner. The silky garlic cream sauce pairs perfectly with tender salmon flakes and crisp broccoli for a comforting yet fresh meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) salmon fillets, fresh or thawed, skin-on or skinless
  • 2 cups (150g) broccoli florets, fresh preferred
  • 8 ounces (225g) pasta (fettuccine or linguine recommended)
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup (50g) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes, optional pinch

Instructions

  1. Prep the ingredients: rinse and pat dry salmon fillets, cut broccoli into bite-sized florets, mince garlic, grate Parmesan cheese, and squeeze fresh lemon juice.
  2. Cook pasta and broccoli: bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook pasta according to package instructions (8-10 minutes for al dente). Add broccoli florets in the last 3 minutes to blanch. Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving 1/2 cup (120ml) pasta water.
  3. Sear the salmon: heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Cook skin-side down 4-5 minutes until golden and crisp, flip and cook 2-3 minutes until just cooked through. Remove and let rest, then flake into large chunks.
  4. Make the creamy garlic sauce: reduce heat to medium, add butter and garlic, sauté 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Pour in heavy cream, simmer 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan until melted. Add lemon juice, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Loosen sauce with reserved pasta water if too thick.
  5. Combine pasta, broccoli, and salmon: add drained pasta and broccoli to sauce, toss gently to coat. Fold in flaked salmon carefully. Heat through for 1 minute.
  6. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and black pepper, and a lemon wedge on the side.

Notes

Do not overcook salmon to keep it moist; let it rest after searing. Add garlic only when pan is hot but not scorching to avoid bitterness. Blanch broccoli in pasta water last 3 minutes to keep it crisp. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of water or cream to avoid drying out salmon.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon pasta, creamy garlic sauce, broccoli pasta, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe, healthy salmon recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/creamy-garlic-salmon-and-broccoli-pasta-easy-cozy-weeknight-dinner-recipe/