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To make salmon garlic butter pasta, you need a few simple ingredients. The core ingredients include:

salmon garlic butter pasta

Looking for an easy weeknight dinner that’s both delicious and nutritious? Try savory salmon garlic butter pasta! This flavorful dish brings together fresh salmon, rich garlic butter, and perfectly cooked pasta for a meal everyone will love. Discover simple steps, ingredient tips, and delightful variations to make it your own. Click through to explore this easy recipe and elevate your dinner game tonight!
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Ingredients
  

8 oz spaghetti or linguine pasta

2 salmon fillets (6 oz each)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Zest of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 lemon

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup baby spinach

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

    Prepare the Salmon: Season both sides of the salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and half of the lemon zest.

      Sear the Salmon: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Once hot, add the salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for about 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

        Create the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

          Add Tomatoes and Spinach: Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they soften. Next, add the baby spinach and continue cooking until it wilts.

            Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with lemon juice, remaining lemon zest, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together, adding more pasta water as needed to reach desired creaminess.

              Finish with Salmon: Flake the cooked salmon into large pieces using a fork and gently fold it into the pasta without breaking it up completely.

                Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.

                  - Prep Time: 10 mins | Total Time: 30 mins | Servings: 2

                    - Presentation Tips: Plate the pasta in shallow bowls and garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve lemon wedges on the side for an extra citrusy kick!