A comforting and balanced weeknight meal
This Quick and Simple Creamy Salmon Pasta took me less than half an hour to cook and serve for dinner tonight. It’s creamy, comforting and utterly delicious – the kind of meal that makes a busy weekday evening feel special. Even better, it’s a balanced and satisfying dish made entirely in one pan.
I actually adapted this recipe from my Creamy Salmon Gnocchi, which you might have come across on this blog. This time, I used broccoli instead of spinach – simply because that’s what I had in the fridge. The flexibility of this dish is what makes it one of my favourite; you can always use whatever vegetables are on hand.
Why you’ll love this Quick and Simple Creamy Salmon Pasta
Every swirl of pasta is coated in a luscious, tangy sauce made with chicken stock, sun-dried tomatoes and cream cheese. The sauce clings beautifully to the fresh egg pasta threads, giving every bite a burst of flavour. Fresh basil adds the perfect herbal note, while the tender salmon chunks bring richness and depth.
This Quick and Simple Creamy Salmon Pasta is:
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Comforting yet light
- Full of flavour and nutrients
- Perfect for the whole family
When you’re short on time but still want something delicious and satisfying, this is the dish you’ll come back to again and again.
Preparing the salmon
Season and cook
Start by patting the salmon fillets dry and placing them on a sheet of baking paper inside your air fryer basket. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle some salt, pepper and paprika, and cook for about 10 minutes at 240°C. The air fryer keeps the fish juicy and gives it just the right amount of crispiness on the edges.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also bake or pan-fry the salmon – both work beautifully.
Flake the salmon
Once cooked, remove the skin and gently flake it into large chunks using a fork. I tend to start cooking the salmon in the air fryer around the same time I begin making the sauce so both are ready together for assembling.
Preparing the vegetables and sauce
Chop and steam
Chop the sun-dried tomatoes, mince a few garlic cloves and finely dice the onions. Steam the broccoli for about 2-3 minutes, just enough to soften slightly while keeping its vibrant green colour.
Build the sauce
In a large pan, heat some olive oil and sauté the garlic and onions until golden and fragrant. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to boil for the pasta.
Stir in a couple of spoons of tomato puree and cook for a minute, then pour in the chicken stock and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the cream cheese and whisk until it melts into a smooth, creamy sauce.
Finally, stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and a handful of fresh basil leaves. The aroma at this point will be heavenly.
Combine everything and bring it all together
Add the steamed broccoli to the creamy sauce, followed by the cooked pasta. Stir gently to coat everything evenly, adding a bit of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Turn off the heat and gently fold the salmon chunks into the pasta. Try not to overmix, you want the pieces of salmon to stay visible throughout the dish.
Finally, sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese all over the pan to finish – it melts beautifully into the creamy sauce and adds that irresistible savoury touch.
Once combined, your Quick and Simple Creamy Salmon Pasta is ready to serve. Top with extra basil leaves and sprinkle of black pepper for a fresh finishing touch.
Serving suggestions
Serve this pasta straight from the pan for a family-style dinner. It pairs beautifully with:
- A side of garlic bread
- A light green salad with lemon dressing
It’s creamy, flavourful and wonderfully comforting – everything you want in a quick, family-friendly meal.
Final thoughts
This Quick and Simple Creamy Salmon Pasta proves that a home-cooked dinner doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. In less than half an hour, you can create something that feels gourmet and nourishing at the same time.
Whether you’re cooking for the family or just for yourself, this dish delivers on taste, texture and ease. It’s truly a delicious and balanced meal in one pan.
Quick and Simple Creamy Salmon Pasta
Description
This Quick and Simple Creamy Salmon Pasta is the ultimate weeknight dinner. It’s rich and creamy yet light, combining perfectly cooked salmon chunks, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and tender broccoli in a velvety sauce made with chicken stock and cream cheese. Everything comes together beautifully in less than half an hour — a balanced, flavourful meal that feels restaurant-worthy but is incredibly easy to make at home.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Prepare the salmon
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and place them on a sheet of baking paper inside your air fryer basket.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and paprika.
- I usually start cooking the salmon in the air fryer around the same time I begin making the sauce, so both are ready together for assembling.
- Cook the salmon in the air fryer at 240°C for 10 minutes, then flake into large chunks.
-
Prepare the vegetables
- Chop the sun-dried tomatoes, mince the garlic and finely chop the onion.
- Steam the broccoli for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender but still bright green.
-
Make the creamy sauce and cook the pasta
- Heat olive oil in a large pan.
- Sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant and golden.
- Stir in tomato puree then our in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer.
- Add the cream cheese and whisk until smooth and velvety.
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and basil leaves.
- At the same time, boil the fresh egg pasta in salted water for 2-3 minutes. Drain, reserving a splash of pasta water in case needed.
-
Combine everything
- Add the broccoli to the sauce, followed by the cooked pasta.
- Toss gently to coat everything evenly, using a little pasta water if needed.
- Turn off the heat.
-
Add the salmon and finish
- Fold in the flaked salmon carefully to keep the chunks intact.
- Finally, sprinkle Parmesan cheese all over the pan so it melts into the creamy sauce.
-
Serve
- Serve immediately with extra basil leaves and a crack of black pepper.
- Enjoy this delicious, balanced and comforting Quick and Simple Creamy Salmon Pasta!
Note
- Timing tip: I usually start cooking the salmon in the air fryer while making the sauce. That way, both finish at the same time and are ready for assembling.
- Alternative vegetables: If you don't have broccoli, spinach, asparagus or peas work wonderfully in this Quick and Simple Creamy Salmon Pasta.
- No air fryer? You can easily bake the salmon at 220°C for about 10-12 minutes or pan-fry or pan-fry it in a little olive oil until just cooked through.
- Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or stock to loosen the sauce.
- Serving idea: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving - it brightens up the creamy sauce and complements the salmon beautifully.
