Healthy comfort food WIN! This Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe will make all of your food dreams come true. Think comforting pasta topped with lightly pan-fried salmon all smothered in a creamy, easy-to-make sauce that can all be thrown together in less than 30 minutes. Does it get any better than that? Here’s what I’m loving about this recipe:
- It’s made with any type of pasta you want! Banza Casareece or Penne pasta are great options (more on that below), but any type of pasta works wonderfully.
- It’s easy to put together, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- The pasta sauce is dairy free, but the easiest EVER to throw together!
- The salmon. Oh my goodness. Simple, DELICIOUS, and loaded with nutrition!
RELATED: Easy Baked Teriyaki Salmon Recipe
Watch how to make this Creamy Salmon Pasta!
Ingredients
Here’s what you will need (along with a few notes about each ingredient) for this recipe:
Healthy Pasta
I love using Banza pastas since they’re lower carb, higher protein, and higher in fiber. They’re also vegan and dairy free! My favorite for most recipes is the Rotini or Penne, but I also love and used the Casareece in this recipe. If you use this type of healthy pasta, don’t be surprised by the foam it creates while cooking. This is a part of the process (as shown in the photos below). The trick for cooking Banza pasta is to keep from overcooking the pasta!
Other types of pasta that work great in this recipe: pretty much any type! Try whole wheat or gluten free fettuccine, penne, elbows, etc. There are so many options for this dish!
P.S: Get a discount on Banza products by purchasing through Thrive Market! I love using Thrive Market for healthy pantry items delivered right to our doorstep. So amazing!
Salmon
Wild-caught, skinless salmon is the best option for this Creamy Salmon Pasta recipe. If the salmon you have on hand isn’t skinless, it’s best to remove the skin before starting the recipe.
Need an even quicker option? While pan-fried salmon is best for this recipe, another option is to use canned wild-caught pink salmon to save even more time!
The creamy pasta sauce
Now for the best part! When I say that this creamy pasta sauce is ridiculously easy to make, I mean that it’s RIDICULOUSLY easy to make. And don’t let the dairy free description throw you for a loop: this sauce is AMAZING. Here’s how to make the delicious creamy pasta sauce:
- Combine almond milk (or regular milk), garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a mixing bowl.
- Heat up the olive oil.
- Whisk in the almond flour.
- Add in the almond milk mixture.
- Whisk the mixture together until smooth.
- That’s it! SO easy.
Simply cook the pasta, cook the salmon, and then combine everything together with this creamy pasta sauce. Cook for a few minutes and DONE! The best healthy weeknight dinner ever, ready to go.
TIP: Be sure to use finely ground blanched almond flour for best results!
How to make Creamy Salmon Pasta
This Creamy Salmon Pasta recipe is one of my go-to’s for easy and healthy weeknight dinners. Why? Because it’s INCREDIBLY easy to make! Here’s a run down for how to whip up this recipe:
1. Combine the ingredients for the sauce (almond milk, garlic, salt, and pepper) and whisk into a creamy sauce.
2. Cook the pasta according to directions and drain.
3. Pan-fry the salmon until cooked.
4. Heat up the olive oil and whisk in the almond flour. Whisk in the sauce and heat until it reduces.
5. Mix in the pasta and salmon – enjoy!
What to pair this Creamy Salmon Pasta with
I’m loving this recipe on it’s own, but it’s also great served with steamed broccoli, green beans, garlic toast, baguette, or a side salad.
Looking for more healthy comfort food? Here are a few recipes you’ll love:
- Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
- Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
- Mushroom & Spinach Pasta Bake
- Mac and Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash
Loving this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below!
Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz. pasta (of choice)
- 4 salmon filets (skinless)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- salt/pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to directions, drain, and set aside.
- Season the salmon filets with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Cook the salmon filets with 1 Tbsp of the oil over medium heat for about 4-6 minutes on each side (or until it feels firm to the touch and is fully cooked).
- While the salmon is cooking, whisk together the almond milk, garlic powder, and salt/pepper (to taste) in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- Heat the olive oil in a sauce pan over medium-high heat.
- Add in the almond flour and whisk to create a paste.
- Add in the almond milk mixture and whisk, bringing to a simmer.
- Continue to simmer and whisk continously for about 7-10 minutes as the sauce heats up, reduces, and thickens.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce sit for about 3 minutes.
- Add in the pasta and stir, coating it evenly in the creamy sauce.
- Cut the salmon into small pieces and lightly mix it into the pasta and sauce.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If the sauce is too thin, add in 2 Tbsp of almond flour at a time up to 1/4 cup to thicken while it is still simmering.
- TIP: Be sure to use finely ground blanched almond flour for best results!
Sheryse says:
I made this & it was delicious
As I am lactose intolerant, I am wondering if the sauce is versatile to be used as a substitute for any creamy white sauce required in recipes such for chicken pasta bake, lasagna or vegetable bake?
Christine McMichael replied:
So glad to hear that! I would think that it is pretty versatile, especially for pasta dishes. Such a great idea!
Sarah says:
Love that this is dairy free!! I’m lactose intolerant, so I love a great pasta dish that’s non-dairy friendly. Will definitely add this to my recipe roster. 🙂
Jessica Stroup says:
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try your recipe soon!
Capri says:
The flavors of this creamy pasta salad are just so good!!
Amy says:
This recipe was so delicious! We love fish and always trying to find ways to make different recipes so we can mix it up a bit. It was super easy to make and love that you used almond milk as I’m lactose intolerant.
Duke says:
I made this for my family, altered a few things but they loved it! I loved it! Super delicious
kaila says:
MY KIND OF MEAL!! I love salmon. I love pasta. I love creamy pasta sauces.
This looks absolutely delicious!
Natalie says:
This looks really delicious. Creamy and full of flavors. Super easy to make too. I will definitely put this on my family menu.
Stephanie McKercher says:
I love pasta and salmon but never thought about combining them together! Sounds so good. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Julie says:
I need to try this!!! What a great way to eat salmon and I love that it is dairy free!
Deborah Brooks says:
My husband and daughter would really like this. They love salmon. Thanks for the idea
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says:
What a great idea to use almond flour for the sauce. It can;t get easier and delicious than this for a weeknight dinner. I am going to be using this sauce to make and add in few vegetables as well.
Byron Thomas says:
This pasta was absolutely delicious! I must admit, I did not have any fresh salmon on hand and I substituted with canned salmon, but it was still wonderful. I might make it for dinner again tonight!!
Choclette says:
Comfort food which is also healthy is a complete win win. Love your almond sauce. I am so going to try it. In fact I might just have to have pasta for supper tonight now I’ve seen this.