Our salmon Alfredo is incredibly easy to make and takes just 30 minutes of your time. The pasta is quickly tossed in the luscious, rich Alfredo sauce and topped with flavorful seared salmon for a creamy taste with a delicate aroma.
While the recipe is straightforward enough for a weeknight meal, it’s also delicate enough for a fancy dinner entrée.
Is Salmon Alfredo Healthy?
Yes, our salmon Alfredo recipe is healthy.
A creamy pasta sauce like Alfredo can be high in calories and loaded with excessive saturated fat. However, this problem can be eliminated with a few adjustments to the original recipe.
As the dish contains calorie-dense ingredients, it’s important to be mindful of the size of each portion. Each serving contains a balanced amount of 505 calories. This allows you to combine more green veg and fruits with the meal.
We also used just enough butter, cream, and milk to create the velvety, creamy sauce while keeping the saturated fat at approximately 9 g for each serving, complying with our nutritional guidelines.
Ingredients You Will Need
1. Salmon
Salmon is our favorite fish. Its flavor is less overpowering than other fish, and whether you sear or bake it, the flesh still ends up tender and buttery.
If you want to add protein to your pasta repertoire, any kind of seafood makes a wonderful alternative: shrimp, squid, or scallops.
2. Pasta
Fettuccine is the traditional option for a thick Alfredo sauce. It has the perfect length to gather onto your fork in a single or double swirl and the perfect surface area to soak up that delectable cream sauce.
3. Vegetables
A balanced dish often requires additional veg. They not only add a touch of freshness, but also provide a nutritional boost. Mushrooms and green peas are heaven in this Alfredo recipe, but the list could go on: spinach, broccoli, asparagus, you name it.
4. Alfredo Sauce
Alfredo sauce is traditionally delectable and rich, so salt is the only main flavor enhancer in our recipe. Other spices like oregano and Dijon mustard complement the creamy taste but should not overpower the sauce.
As an Alfredo sauce is a little on the rich side, we finish it off by adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to balance out the creaminess.
How Long Is Cooked Salmon Good for?
Salmon provides plenty of protein with a quick cooking time, thus it’s ideal for meal prep. According to the FoodSafety, cooked salmon should be consumed within 1 - 3 days.
If you wish to store the salmon leftovers, it’s best to keep them in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. This will help maintain the food’s freshness.
We recommend labeling the container with the ‘use by’ date so that you can keep track of your food storage.
How to Reheat the Leftover
When reheating salmon Alfredo, there is a chance the fat in the sauce will separate, with a less than appetizing result. Here are a few ways to recreate the pasta almost as perfectly as the first serving.
1. In the Oven
The oven is a great way to reheat pasta, and the method is simple: Simply place your salmon Alfredo in a baking dish with 1 - 2 tablespoons of water (depending on how much pasta you have).
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375℉ until thoroughly heated. Stir halfway through to ensure the pasta is cooked evenly.
2. On a Stove
This method is more time-consuming than in the oven, but it’s more effective for creamy sauces like this Alfredo. Place everything into a non-skillet pan with a tablespoon of olive oil and simmer over low heat. Don’t forget to stir frequently during the heating process.
If your pasta is becoming a little dry, add a couple more tablespoons of milk or chicken broth to loosen up the sauce. Do this until the pasta reaches its full heat.
3. In the Microwave
Microwaving is perfect when you’re in a hurry. Place your Alfredo pasta in a microwave-safe bowl, add a few tablespoons of water or milk, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
After 1 minute on high power, remove the bowl and stir. If you notice it’s dry, add a little more water before returning it for an additional 1 - 2 minutes.
What to Serve With
As with any rich main dish, we want to naturally balance the flavors out with a fresh salad such as a kale salad. It combines crisp greens, juicy fruits, and crunchy nuts to create a combination that is both nutritious and appetizing.
Finally, we pair the meal with a glass of fresh lime juice to round out the meal. This tangy, sweet beverage is made with simple ingredients and in less than 5 minutes.
More Salmon Pasta Ideas
Do you fancy a hassle-free pasta bake? Our salmon casserole is filled with delicious goodness that’s topped with crunchy buttered breadcrumbs and comes together in just 30 minutes. You can totally use canned salmon for this recipe to save time.
Or if you just want something similar to salmon alfredo but less creamy, check out this salmon pasta. We have to admit that’s very little spinach, so if you want more feel free. Just a simple 30-minute salmon spinach spaghetti built from scratch to fill the belly.
We have more salmon pasta recipes here.
Salmon Alfredo Recipe
With our salmon Alfredo recipe, you can quickly knock up a delicious, wholesome dish. It's perfect for those busy nights when you still crave a flavorsome meal.
- by Tuyet Pham, Luna Regina, 2022-03-16
- cook TIME 15 mins
- prep TIME 15 mins
- total TIME 30 mins
- COURSE Main Course
- CUISINE American, Italian
- SERVINGS servings
- CALORIES 505 kcal
INGREDIENTS
- 20 oz salmon fillets
- 12 oz cooked fettuccine
- 6 oz white mushrooms (sliced)
- 2 oz green peas (thawed)
- 0.5 oz shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 5 tbsp heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted chicken broth
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp garlic (chopped)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp traditional Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp parsley (finely chopped)
INSTRUCTIONS
Season 20 oz salmon fillets with 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Set aside.
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and sear the seasoned salmon fillets, skin-side down. Then flip to sear the other sides for about 5 minutes total. Transfer the salmon fillets to a plate and set them aside.
Add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tbsp garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in 6 oz white mushrooms and sauté for 3 minutes. Then add 2 oz green peas and stir frequently for an extra 1 minute.
Add 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup milk, 5 tbsp heavy cream, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp oregano, and 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard and cook the mixture for 1 minute.
Toss in 12 oz cooked fettuccine and stir to fully coat, about 30 seconds.
Return the salmon to the skillet. Take off the heat.
Sprinkle with 2 tbsp parsley and 0.5 oz parmesan cheese. Serve hot.
NUTRITION
Tuyet Pham
Head Chef, Culinary ConsultantLuna Regina
Writer, AuthorNatalie Butler, RD, LD
Nutrition Reviewer- Reynolds PeeOur salmon alfredo dish is always a hit; creamy sauce with chunky bits of salmon make for an enjoyable pasta experience for all we serve it too!