Quick Smoked Salmon Pasta

This quick smoked salmon pasta is a classic for those evenings when time is short, but the desire for a delicious and satisfying meal is great. With just a few simple steps and basic ingredients, you can create a creamy, flavourful dish that pleases the palate without overwhelming your busy routine. The secret lies in starting your pasta first, allowing you just enough time to prepare the beautiful sauce in parallel. It’s a testament to how simple, well-chosen ingredients can elevate a quick meal into something truly special and nourishing.

Quick Overview

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15-18 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 7 oz (200g) short pasta (e.g., penne, farfalle)
• 5.3 oz (150g) smoked salmon
• 4 fl oz (120ml) fresh double cream
• 1 small spring onion
• Juice and zest of ½ untreated lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

1. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta according to packet instructions, usually for 8-10 minutes.
2. Whilst the pasta cooks, finely chop the spring onion and cut the smoked salmon into strips or small pieces.
3. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped spring onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it becomes translucent.
4. Pour the fresh double cream into the pan with the spring onion and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the smoked salmon and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring gently.
5. Drain the pasta, reserving a little of the cooking water. Transfer the pasta directly into the frying pan with the sauce.
6. Add the lemon juice and grated zest, chopped dill, a generous grinding of black pepper and, if needed, a pinch of salt. Stir well, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce appears too thick, to create a velvety finish.

Serving & Leftovers

Serve the smoked salmon pasta immediately, garnished with an extra sprinkle of fresh dill and a grinding of black pepper. This dish is best enjoyed straight away and does not store particularly well due to the salmon and cream. We recommend consuming it within an hour of preparation.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portions.

One Last Thing

Sometimes, simplicity is the secret ingredient to happiness at the dinner table. This pasta perfectly demonstrates that you don’t need to overcomplicate things to enjoy a satisfying meal. We hope this recipe becomes a reliable go-to for your evenings when comfort and ease are key.