Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta with Crème Fraîche: The Ultimate 15-Minute Gourmet Weeknight Meal
Prepare to delight your taste buds with an incredibly easy yet exquisitely flavorful dish: Smoked Salmon Pasta with Crème Fraîche. This recipe is a testament to how quickly you can create a gourmet experience right in your kitchen. In just 15 minutes, you can transform simple ingredients into a meal that feels like it came from a high-end restaurant, making it an absolute lifesaver for busy weeknights.
The star of this pasta is, of course, the smoked salmon, bringing a distinct salty depth that perfectly complements the rich, velvety sauce. Crème fraîche forms the heart of this creamy concoction, offering a subtle tang and luxurious texture that coats every strand of spaghetti. Adding a sweet counterpoint, sun-dried tomatoes infuse the dish with a concentrated burst of flavor and a delightful chew, creating a symphony of tastes and textures that will leave you wanting more.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta
Italian cuisine holds a special place in many hearts, and it’s certainly a firm favorite in my family and on this blog. We frequently indulge in delightful dishes such as homemade lasagna, spaghetti with broccoli and ground beef, and a comforting macaroni casserole with mascarpone tomato sauce. However, this creamy spaghetti with smoked salmon has recently become a regular fixture at our dinner table, and for good reason!
This dish is incredibly easy to prepare, yet it delivers a remarkably creamy and full-bodied flavor profile. A subtle hint of mustard and garlic elevates the sauce, adding a complex warmth without overpowering the delicate salmon. The natural saltiness of the smoked salmon and grated Parmesan cheese beautifully contrasts with the sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes and the comforting texture of al dente spaghetti.
It’s truly a perfect recipe for a cozy evening at home, whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself after a long day. The minimal cooking time doesn’t compromise on taste, offering a luxurious meal without the fuss. Enjoy every forkful of this tasty and surprisingly simple dish!
The Magic Behind the Ingredients
Each component of this smoked salmon pasta plays a crucial role in creating its balanced and delicious flavor. Understanding these ingredients helps appreciate the simplicity and genius of the recipe.
Smoked Salmon: The Star of the Show
Smoked salmon is a versatile and flavorful ingredient. For this recipe, cold-smoked salmon is typically used, which has a delicate texture and a pronounced smoky, salty flavor that doesn’t require further cooking. It adds a sophisticated touch and a significant protein boost to your pasta. Beyond its taste, salmon is packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, making this dish not just delicious but also a healthier choice for your heart and brain.
Crème Fraîche: The Creamy Heart
Crème fraîche is a French-style cultured cream, thicker and tangier than regular sour cream, and less prone to curdling when heated. Its rich, slightly tart flavor is what gives this pasta its signature creamy, luxurious sauce. It emulsifies beautifully with the other ingredients, creating a smooth and luscious coating for the spaghetti.
Top Tip: Crème Fraîche Alternatives! If you don’t have crème fraîche on hand, you can substitute it with sour cream, heavy cream, or even cooking cream. Keep in mind that sour cream will add a bit more tang, and heavy cream will be less thick and less tangy, resulting in a slightly different but still delicious sauce. Adjust seasoning as needed!
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Bursts of Sweetness
These intensely flavorful tomatoes are sun-dried to concentrate their sweetness and umami. When sliced and added to the pasta, they provide chewy texture and a vibrant, sweet-acidic counterpoint to the salty salmon and creamy sauce. Opt for oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor and texture, as the oil helps to keep them supple and adds extra richness to the dish.
Garlic & Mustard: Subtle Depth
While not the main stars, garlic and mustard are essential supporting actors. The fresh garlic provides an aromatic base, gently sautéed to release its fragrant oils. A touch of mustard adds a subtle warmth and helps to balance the richness of the crème fraîche, tying all the flavors together seamlessly. Don’t skip these; they contribute to the nuanced taste profile!
Parmesan Cheese: Salty Finish
A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the end offers a final flourish of salty, umami goodness. Its sharp, nutty flavor enhances the overall savory profile and adds a lovely textural element.
Spaghetti: The Perfect Canvas
Spaghetti is a classic choice for a creamy sauce, allowing the sauce to cling beautifully to its long strands. For any pasta dish, proper cooking is key.
Top Tip: Salting Pasta Water Like an Italian!
Always boil your pasta in generously salted water. As the Italians say, “cook the pasta in seawater.” This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a fundamental step that infuses the pasta itself with flavor, preventing a bland base. For every liter of water, use at least one tablespoon of salt. Your pasta will thank you!
Cooking your spaghetti al dente—meaning “to the tooth,” with a slight bite—ensures it holds up to the creamy sauce and doesn’t become mushy.
Customization and Serving Suggestions
This Smoked Salmon Pasta is fantastic as is, but it’s also wonderfully versatile! Feel free to customize it to your liking or to what you have on hand.
- Add More Vegetables: For a more substantial meal, consider adding fresh spinach that wilts into the sauce, steamed asparagus, or even frozen peas for a touch of sweetness and green color. Sautéing cherry tomatoes with the garlic can also add a fresh, juicy element.
- Herbs for Freshness: Fresh dill or parsley chopped finely and stirred in at the end can brighten the flavors considerably. A little lemon zest grated over the top before serving adds a zesty finish.
- Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes sautéed with the garlic can add a welcome kick if you enjoy a bit of heat.
- Different Pasta Shapes: While spaghetti is ideal, this sauce also works beautifully with other long pastas like tagliatelle or linguine, or even short pastas like penne or fusilli.
What to Serve Alongside
To complete your gourmet weeknight meal, consider these simple accompaniments:
- Simple Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta. A Caprese salad (tomatoes, mozzarella, basil) is also a fantastic Italian-inspired side.
- Crusty Bread: A warm, crusty baguette or focaccia is perfect for soaking up any leftover creamy sauce.
- Wine Pairing: A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied Pinot Grigio would complement the salmon beautifully.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Due to the delicate nature of crème fraîche and smoked salmon, this pasta dish is best enjoyed fresh. The creamy sauce can separate, and the salmon’s texture can change if reheated.
- Leftovers: We highly recommend making only what you plan to eat in one sitting. Leftovers are not ideal for this particular recipe. If you absolutely must store leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than 1 day and reheat very gently, possibly adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce. However, the quality will not be the same as when freshly made.
- Make-Ahead Components: You can prepare some components in advance. Slice your smoked salmon and sun-dried tomatoes and keep them refrigerated. Grate your Parmesan cheese. This will shave off even more time when you’re ready to cook!
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ pound smoked salmon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ cup crème fraîche
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 10 sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
- 2 oz Parmesan cheese
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Put a large pot of cold water on the stove and bring to a rolling boil. Remember to add a generous amount of salt to the water for flavorful pasta!
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While the water heats, thinly slice or cut the smoked salmon into bite-sized strips. Set aside and keep refrigerated until ready to use.½ pound smoked salmon
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In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.2 tablespoons olive oil
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Add the minced or squeezed garlic to the pan. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 clove garlic
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Stir in the crème fraîche and mustard into the skillet. Heat slowly over low to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is warm and well combined. If the sauce becomes too thick for your liking, gradually add the two tablespoons of milk, stirring until you reach your desired consistency.½ cup crème fraîche, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon mustard
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Meanwhile, add the spaghetti to the boiling, salted water. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente (firm to the bite). Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water – it can be used later to adjust sauce consistency if needed.1 pound spaghetti
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Once the sauce is warm, gently fold in the smoked salmon strips. Heat for just about a minute, allowing the salmon to warm through without cooking it further. Turn off the heat immediately to preserve its delicate texture.
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Drain the cooked spaghetti and add it directly to the skillet with the creamy salmon sauce. Toss well to ensure every strand is evenly coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
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Sprinkle the sliced sun-dried tomatoes over the pasta and give it another gentle mix. Their sweet bursts of flavor are a delightful addition.10 sun-dried tomatoes
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Serve immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese to taste. Enjoy your elegant and speedy meal!2 oz Parmesan cheese
Notes
2. Crème fraîche: If crème fraîche is unavailable, you can substitute with sour cream, heavy cream, or cooking cream. Note that this might result in a slightly different texture and flavor profile (e.g., less thick or tangier).
3. Storage: Due to the crème fraîche and smoked salmon, this dish is best enjoyed fresh. Leftovers do not store or reheat well.
Nutrition
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Explore More Italian Favorites
If you loved this creamy smoked salmon pasta, you’ll be thrilled to discover more of our delicious pasta creations. From hearty bakes to fresh seafood pairings, there’s always something new to try.
- Pasta with Sugar Snap Peas, Asparagus, and Shrimp
- 30-Minute Easy Meatball Pasta Bake
- Sausage and Kale Lasagna