Description
Salmon pesto pasta is a Mediterranean-inspired dish combining flaked salmon, penne, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and arugula in a creamy basil pesto sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s flavorful, nutritious, and ideal for weeknights or entertaining.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces salmon fillet, skinless
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces penne pasta (about 2 cups)
- 1/2 cup artichoke hearts in water, quartered
- 1/4 cup marinated sun-dried tomatoes, sliced thin
- 1/2 cup prepared pesto
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (or more to taste)
- 2 cups packed baby arugula
- Water, for boiling and poaching
Instructions
- Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil in a sauté pan with a tight-fitting lid. Add the salmon, reduce heat to low, and gently poach for 8–10 minutes, or until cooked through and flaky. Remove from heat.
- Meanwhile, cook the penne in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.
- Transfer the cooked pasta to a large mixing bowl. Flake the salmon into bite-sized pieces and add it to the pasta. Add the artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes, then toss gently.
- Wipe the salmon pan clean. Add the cream and warm over medium-high heat until it simmers. Stir in the pesto a little at a time to combine. Add about 1/2 cup of pasta water and let the mixture simmer briefly.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta mixture or return everything to the pan. Toss to fully coat. Add more pasta water if needed to thin the sauce.
- Stir in the arugula, allowing it to wilt slightly. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use grilled salmon for a smokier flavor.
- Swap penne for bowtie, fusilli, or spaghetti.
- Replace arugula with spinach for a milder green.
- Omit the cream and use dairy-free pesto for a dairy-free version.
- Add roasted red peppers or olives for extra Mediterranean flair.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
