One Pot Creamy Salmon Pasta: How to Make

Hey everyone! Let me tell you about a pasta dish that’s a total game-changer for busy nights. Imagine a super yummy, creamy pasta with tender pieces of salmon, all cooked up in just one pot! Yes, you heard that right – less mess and a super delicious meal. This One-Pot Creamy Salmon Pasta is perfect when you want something a bit fancy but super easy.

The salmon makes it feel special, the Parmesan cheese adds a rich taste, and the creamy sauce is just so comforting. You don’t need to be a pro cook for this one. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that amazing flavor. If you like creamy pasta dishes like Fettuccine Alfredo, you’re going to love this salmon version! Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Salmon Pasta

This recipe is a winner for so many reasons!

Super Easy: It’s a true one-pot meal, meaning everything cooks together. So easy!
Quick for Weeknights: Perfect for when you’re busy but still want a tasty dinner.
Minimal Cleanup: One pot means way fewer dishes to wash. Hooray!
So Creamy & Delicious: The sauce is rich, and the salmon is tender and flaky.¹
Good for You: Salmon is packed with nutritional benefits like omega-3s.²
Customizable: You can add veggies like spinach or try different kinds of pasta.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you need to make this yummy dish. Most are simple things you might already have!

Pasta: About 8 oz of your favorite shape. Penne, fettuccine, or rotini (spirals) are great because they hold the sauce well.³ Gluten-free pasta like chickpea or rice pasta works too!
Salmon: About 1 cup of cooked salmon, flaked into pieces. You can use fresh salmon (cook it first), canned salmon (drain it well!), or even smoked salmon for a different taste.
Heavy Cream: This makes the sauce rich and velvety. About 1 ½ cups. For a lighter sauce, you can try half-and-half.
Chicken Broth: About 1 cup. This helps cook the pasta and adds flavor. Vegetable broth is a good swap.
Parmesan Cheese: About ½ cup, grated. This makes the sauce cheesy and adds a salty, umami flavor.
Onion & Garlic: 1 small onion (chopped) and 2 garlic cloves (minced) build the flavor base.
Seasonings: 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, plus salt and black pepper to taste.
Lemon Juice: Just 1 tablespoon freshens everything up and tastes great with salmon.
Olive Oil: For cooking the onion and garlic.
Fresh Parsley (Optional Garnish): Makes it look pretty and adds a fresh taste.
Spinach (Optional): A cup of fresh spinach tossed in at the end adds color and nutrients.

Let’s Get Cooking! (Easy Step-by-Step)

Ready to make this amazing one-pot creamy salmon pasta? It’s easy!

Cook Onions & Garlic:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes until it’s soft.
- Stir in the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds more until you can smell it. (Watch it carefully so the garlic doesn’t burn!)
Add Liquids & Spices:
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir them together.
- Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
Cook the Pasta:
- Add 8 oz of uncooked pasta right into the pot with the sauce.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer (small bubbles).
- Cook for 10-12 minutes. Stir it sometimes so the pasta doesn’t stick. The pasta should be tender, and the sauce will get thicker as the pasta cooks.
Add Salmon, Cheese & Spinach:
- Gently stir in 1 cup of cooked, flaked salmon and ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- If you’re using spinach, add 1 cup of fresh spinach now. Stir until the spinach wilts, about 1-2 minutes.
Finish & Serve:
- Take the pot off the heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Taste it! Add a little more salt, pepper, or Parmesan if you think it needs it.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley if you like. Serve it warm and enjoy your yummy pasta!

Serving Suggestions

This creamy pasta is great on its own, but here are some ideas to make it a full meal:

Garlic Bread: Perfect for dipping into that creamy sauce!
Simple Salad: A light green salad with a tangy dressing balances the rich pasta.
Steamed Veggies: Broccoli or asparagus on the side adds some green.

Quick Tips for Success

Don’t Overcook Pasta: Take the pot off the heat when the pasta is just tender. It will keep cooking a little bit in the hot sauce.
Sauce Too Thick? If your sauce gets too thick, stir in a little more warm broth or milk until it’s just right.
Gentle with Salmon: Add the cooked salmon at the end and stir gently so the pieces stay nice and chunky.
Lemon Last: Adding the lemon juice at the very end keeps its flavor bright and fresh.

Fun Twists (Easy Variations)

Want to change it up? Try these ideas:

Add More Veggies: Toss in some cooked mushrooms or sweet peas with the spinach.
Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning for a little heat.
Shrimp Instead: Use cooked shrimp instead of salmon for a different seafood pasta.
Dairy-Free? Try using full-fat coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a cheesy flavor.

Conclusion: Your New Favorite Easy Meal!

This One-Pot Creamy Salmon Pasta is such a fantastic recipe to have in your back pocket. It’s quick, it’s easy, it uses minimal dishes, and it tastes absolutely delicious. That combination of tender salmon, rich Parmesan cheese, and luscious cream-based sauce is truly hard to resist.

Whether you need a speedy dinner for a busy weeknight or just want to treat yourself to something comforting and flavorful, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Give it a try, and enjoy every creamy, savory bite!

(Printable Recipe Card Below)

Easy One-Pot Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe Card

Yields: 4 servings | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes

Category: Main Dish/Pasta | Method: One-Pot | Cuisine: Italian-American Inspired

DESCRIPTION

A super easy and delicious One-Pot Creamy Salmon Pasta! Tender flaked salmon and your favorite pasta are cooked in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.

INGREDIENTS

(Scale: 1x)

1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 Small Onion, finely chopped
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 ½ cups Heavy Cream (or half-and-half)
1 cup Chicken Broth (or vegetable broth)
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
½ tsp Salt (or to taste)
½ tsp Black Pepper (or to taste)
8 oz Pasta (Penne, Fettuccine, or Rotini recommended)
1 cup Cooked Salmon, flaked
½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 cup Fresh Spinach (Optional)
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
Fresh Parsley, for garnish (Optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook 2-3 mins until soft. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.
Add Liquids & Seasoning: Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Cook Pasta: Add uncooked pasta to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cook 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.
Stir in Goodness: Gently stir in flaked salmon, Parmesan cheese, and optional spinach (cook 1-2 mins until spinach wilts).
Finish & Serve: Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately!

NOTES

Use fresh, canned (drained), or smoked salmon.
If sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth or milk.
If too thin, simmer a few minutes longer or add more Parmesan.
Great with garlic bread and a side salad!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

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