Speedy & Satisfying: The Ultimate 15-Minute Creamy Smoked Mackerel Pasta Recipe
Are you yearning for a truly delicious and effortlessly easy dinner recipe that demands minimal time and fuss in the kitchen? Your culinary search ends here with this incredible Creamy Smoked Mackerel Pasta. This exceptionally tasty pasta dish, boasting a surprisingly simple list of ingredients, can be whisked together and served in a mere 15 minutes. It’s the quintessential weeknight dinner solution, perfect for those evenings when you’re craving something incredibly creamy, deeply comforting, and packed with layers of flavor. Succulent smoked mackerel and fragrant leeks are gently sautéed together, forming the heart of a rich and inviting sauce that is guaranteed to leave you wanting seconds, and perhaps even thirds!
Why This 15-Minute Creamy Smoked Mackerel Pasta is Your Next Favorite Weeknight Meal
This recipe for creamy smoked mackerel pasta offers a refreshing twist on traditional pasta dishes. I recently prepared a fresh dinner featuring pasta with leek and a delightful herb cream cheese sauce. While many might associate leeks primarily with winter, you’re right, they are indeed a staple of colder months, but they are also a wonderful summer vegetable! Leeks are readily available all year round, always fresh from the ground, thanks to the existence of both summer and winter varieties. This ensures you can enjoy their mild, sweet oniony flavor whenever you crave it.
This tasty recipe is perfectly in season, light, and wonderfully rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, making it a fantastic choice for a quick yet nourishing meal. Everyone adores pasta, and when time is short but you still aspire to present a delicious dish, this recipe is your savior. With its combination of herb cream cheese, savory smoked mackerel, tender leeks, and juicy cherry tomatoes, you can craft an easy and incredibly flavorful meal in just 15 minutes that everyone at the table will relish. Don’t wait, give it a try soon!
And if you’re on the hunt for even more quick pasta recipe inspiration, be sure to explore my dedicated page for delicious quick pasta recipes. There, you’ll find other fantastic options such as summer spaghetti with ham and arugula, classic spaghetti with smoked salmon, and a flavorful penne with smoked mackerel and tomato tapenade. Each offers its own unique flavors, but all share the common thread of being quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying.
Essential Ingredients for Quick Smoked Mackerel and Leek Pasta
To effortlessly prepare this wonderfully Creamy Smoked Mackerel Pasta, you’ll need a selection of fresh and flavorful ingredients. The precise quantities for each ingredient are conveniently listed in the comprehensive recipe card, which you’ll find at the very bottom of this blog post. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this dish so special:
- Cherry Tomatoes and Leeks – These are not just any vegetables; they are key players in delivering vibrant flavor and essential vitamins to this dish. Cherry tomatoes burst with sweetness, offering a lovely counterpoint to the rich mackerel, while leeks provide a subtle, sweet oniony base that truly elevates the sauce.
- Red Onion – Distinguished by its deep red, almost purple skin, a red onion is typically a bit thinner-skinned than its yellow counterpart. Its flavor profile is notably milder and less pungent compared to a regular yellow onion, making it perfect for sautéing gently to form an aromatic foundation without overpowering the delicate flavors of the mackerel and leeks.
- Smoked Mackerel Fillet – The star of our show! Smoked mackerel is a firm, oily fish renowned for its wonderfully soft and juicy texture. Its distinct smoky aroma and savory, salty taste are unmistakable. For this recipe, boneless smoked mackerel fillets are highly recommended for their ease of use and quick preparation. While you can certainly use canned mackerel as a substitute, keep in mind that it won’t impart the same smoky depth, though it will still be very delicious and convenient. Mackerel is also a powerhouse of Omega-3 fatty acids, making this dish not just tasty but incredibly nutritious.
- Penne – These elongated hollow tubes of pasta, cut at an angle, are excellent for capturing creamy sauces. Their ridged surface and tubular shape ensure every bite is coated in our flavorful sauce. However, feel free to switch things up! This versatile dish would also be equally delightful with other pasta shapes like tagliatelle (for a flatter, ribbon-like experience) or fusilli (whose spirals are perfect for cradling chunky sauces).
- Herb Cream Cheese – This is where the magic happens for our creamy sauce! Herb cream cheese is a wonderfully rich, spreadable cheese infused with a medley of aromatic herbs (and often garlic, enhancing its savory depth). While Boursin is arguably the most famous and a fantastic choice, many other brands offer excellent herb cream cheese options that would work beautifully. It provides an instant creamy base with built-in flavor.
- Cream – A touch of regular cooking cream is added to further enhance the luxurious creaminess of the sauce, helping to bind all the flavors together into a cohesive, comforting experience.
- Parsley – Fresh parsley is used as a garnish, but it’s more than just decoration. Its bright, herbaceous notes provide a fresh accent that beautifully cuts through the richness of the cream and mackerel, adding a lift to the entire dish.
How to Prepare Smoked Mackerel Pasta with Cream Cheese and Leeks: A Step-by-Step Guide
Preparing this exquisite Smoked Mackerel Pasta with Cream Cheese and Leeks is incredibly straightforward, perfect for those busy evenings. Below, you’ll find a narrative overview of the cooking process, designed to give you confidence in the kitchen. For a fully detailed, printable recipe with precise measurements and instructions, please refer to the recipe card located at the very end of this blog post.
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta (penne works wonderfully here) and cook it according to the package instructions until it’s perfectly al dente – tender with a slight bite. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving about half a cup of the starchy pasta water before discarding the rest. This reserved water can be a secret weapon for adjusting sauce consistency later!
- Sauté Aromatics: While your pasta is cooking, heat a splash of vegetable oil in a large pan or deep skillet over medium-low heat. Add your finely sliced red onion and thin strips of leek. Sauté them gently for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and become fragrant without browning. This forms a sweet and savory base for your sauce.
- Combine Flavors: Next, carefully tear the smoked mackerel fillets into convenient, bite-sized pieces and add them to the pan with the sautéed leeks and onions. Toss in your quartered cherry tomatoes. The warmth of the pan will gently soften the tomatoes and infuse the mackerel’s smoky goodness into the mixture.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Now, it’s time to add the rich elements. Stir in the herb cream cheese and the cream. Increase the heat slightly and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for just 5 minutes. This simmering time allows all the flavors to meld beautifully and the sauce to thicken slightly. Remember, keep an eye on the clock; longer simmering can make the sauce too thick.
- Season and Mix: Taste your creamy fish sauce and season it generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference. Once perfectly seasoned, add the drained penne directly into the pan with the sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly, ensuring every piece of pasta is coated in the luxurious, flavorful sauce. If the sauce appears a little too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
Serve your delicious creamy smoked mackerel pasta immediately! It pairs wonderfully with a freshly baked baguette, perfect for soaking up any extra sauce, and a crisp light green salad, such as arugula with pistachios, pear, and apple, for a refreshing contrast.
Garnish each serving generously with finely chopped fresh parsley before bringing it to the table. The vibrant green not only adds a beautiful pop of color but also a burst of fresh flavor that complements the richness of the dish.
Expert Tips, Substitutions, and Variations for Your Mackerel Pasta
This creamy smoked mackerel pasta recipe is incredibly versatile and forgiving, allowing for easy adaptations to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Here are some pro tips and ideas to make it even better:
- Leftover Love: Don’t let any delicious leftovers go to waste! This pasta dish transforms beautifully into a flavorful pasta salad for lunch the very next day. Serve it chilled, and perhaps add a squeeze of lemon juice or an extra sprinkle of fresh herbs to revive its zest.
- Sauce Consistency is Key: It’s crucial to stick to the recommended simmering time for the sauce. If you allow the sauce to simmer for too long, the cream and cheese can over-reduce and become excessively thick, making your pasta less enjoyable. Five minutes is usually perfect for achieving that ideal creamy texture.
- Cream Alternatives: For an even richer, tangier, and fuller-bodied creamy sauce, you can easily substitute the regular cream with crème fraîche or sour cream. These alternatives add a lovely depth of flavor and a slightly more luxurious mouthfeel.
- Protein Swap: While smoked mackerel is fantastic, feel free to experiment with other proteins. Smoked salmon is an excellent substitute, offering a similar rich, smoky flavor. Alternatively, cooked shrimp can provide a lighter, yet equally delicious, seafood option. You could also try canned tuna for an even quicker, pantry-friendly version, though it won’t have the smoky profile.
- Add More Veggies: Boost the nutritional content and flavor by incorporating other quick-cooking vegetables. Fresh spinach wilted into the sauce at the very end, or frozen peas added during the last minute of simmering, work wonderfully. Roasted bell peppers or tender-stem broccoli florets would also be delicious additions.
- A Hint of Heat: If you enjoy a little kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the onions and leeks can provide a pleasant warmth to the dish.
- Citrus Brightness: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest just before serving can brighten all the flavors and cut through the richness of the cream and mackerel, offering a delightful zing.
- Herb Power: Beyond parsley, consider fresh dill for a classic pairing with fish, or chives for a mild oniony note. Fresh basil could also add a Mediterranean touch.
- Cheese Please: A final sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese or pecorino Romano can add an extra layer of savory depth and umami to the finished dish.
- Gluten-Free Option: This recipe is easily adaptable for those with gluten sensitivities. Simply use your favorite brand of gluten-free pasta, and follow the cooking instructions on the package.
Did you try this wonderfully delicious recipe? I’d absolutely love to see your culinary creations! Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I genuinely enjoy seeing what you’ve whipped up and frequently share the most beautiful photos from my followers. Did you enjoy this recipe as much as I do? Then please consider leaving a rating on the recipe card below! Your valuable feedback is incredibly helpful, not just to me, but also to other home cooks who are looking for their next favorite meal.
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📖 Recipe Card
VIDEO
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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deep frying pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound Penne
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red onion, sliced finely
- 2 leeks, cleaned and sliced in thin strips
- ¾ cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ½ pound smoked mackerel fillets
- ½ cup herb cream cheese, like Boursin
- ½ cup cream
- salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ oz. Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
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 pan of water on the stove, bring the water to a boil, and prepare the penne according to the manufacturer’s instructions.1 pound Penne
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Heat the oil in a pan, fry the onion, and leek for 3 minutes on low heat while stirring.2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 red onion, 2 leeks
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Tear the mackerel fillets into pieces into the pan and add the tomatoes, herbs, cheese, and cream.¾ cup cherry tomatoes, ½ pound smoked mackerel fillets, ½ cup herb cream cheese, ½ cup cream
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Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.
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Season with salt and pepper to the taste.salt and pepper
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Mix the penne with the mackerel leek mixture.
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Garnish with parsley and serve.½ oz. Fresh Parsley
Notes
2. Leftover? Eat it as a pasta salad for lunch the next day.
3. Stick to the cooking time. If you simmer the sauce longer, it will become too thick.
4. Substitutions
- Cream: Substitute with crème fraîche or sour cream.
- Mackerel: You can also use smoked salmon or shrimp.
- Penne: In this dish, you can replace it with tagliatelle or fusilli.
5. Storage
- Refrigerator: Leftover pasta herb cream cheese can be stored in an airtight container for two days.
- Freezer: You can freeze this in a freezer box or bag and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Then, let it thaw in the refrigerator.
- Reheat: Put a pan on the fire and put the pasta in the pan with an extra dash of olive oil. While stirring, warm the pasta over low heat. You can also heat it in the oven. Put the pasta with mackerel and herb cream cheese in an oven dish, drizzle with olive oil, and heat in a preheated oven at 350 °F (ca. 177 °C) for 20 minutes.
6. – The nutritional value shown is per person.
Nutrition
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