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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Serve this pasta straight from the pan for a family-style dinner. It pairs beautifully with:
It's creamy, flavourful and wonderfully comforting - everything you want in a quick, family-friendly meal.
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.
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.
