Name: Creamy Blackened Salmon Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 16 oz. Linguine noodles; 4 filets Salmon, skinless about 6 oz. each; 2 tablespoons Olive oil, to sear salmon; 1 tablespoon Butter, unsalted; 2 cloves Garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste; 2 cups Heavy cream; 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated; 2 handfuls Spinach, (optional but highly recommended)!; Reserve about 2 cups of the water the pasta cooked in to help thin the sauce if needed.; 1 tablespoon Seasoned salt; 1 tablespoon Paprika; 1/2 tablespoon Garlic powder; 1 teaspoon Black pepper; 1 teaspoon Onion powder; 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon Black pepper; 1 teaspoon Garlic powder; 1 teaspoon Salt (more or less as desired)

Take me to the Recipe

This Creamy Blackened Salmon Pasta Recipe is beyond amazing. Blackened salmon is delicious all by itself, but add it to a creamy parmesan and tomato based sauce, over a bed of pasta- and you have a meal that is out of this world!

Salmon is such an amazing protein because it is super versatile. Be sure to check out this Easy Salmon Croquettes Recipe while you're here.

You will also love this Blackened Salmon with Mushroom Cream Sauce as well!

Salmon is one of my households most favorite proteins to eat! It is super quick and easy to cook, and is so versatile. I have made this dish numerous times, and it gets devoured every single time! So I thought it was time to share it with you!

Jump to:

Gather the ingredients for your creamy blackened salmon pasta recipe:
Can I use canned salmon for this pasta recipe?
How to make the creamy pasta sauce for salmon:
How do I remove the skin from the salmon?
What is good to season salmon with?
Is blackened salmon spicy?
How to store and reheat salmon pasta leftovers:

Gather the ingredients for your creamy blackened salmon pasta recipe:

This recipe does not use too many crazy ingredients. In fact, the main ingredients you need are the salmon and the pasta! Here is a list of what you should grab to prepare the dish:

Salmon: If the precut salmon fillets are available, buy them! It is much easier to prepare when they are precut. If not, get the whole filet of salmon, and cut it yourself into the portions you want. For this recipe we had 6 oz. filets.
- Even more- if you cannot find skinless salmon, proceed to the next section where I explain how to cook and remove the skin.
Linguine pasta: Feel free t use any pasta you have on hand. The linguine pasta adds a nice "bite," and holds up nicely with the salmon and cream sauce.

Heavy cream: This is a must! The heavy cream is responsible for adding that silky smooth and creamy texture to the sauce.
Parmesan cheese: The parmesan adds a nice, salty cheesy component to the cream sauce. It also helps balance out the acidic tomato paste layer.
Tomato paste: This is a secret gem of an ingredient. Very underrated if I do say so myself! It adds an amazing layer of flavor to the sauce.
Spinach: I did list this ingredient as optional, but I highly recommend you add it!

Pro-tip: sneak vegetables into your dishes whenever you can! Hence, the spinach!

salmon in a cream sauce in a cast iron skillet

Can I use canned salmon for this pasta recipe?

You definitely can use packaged salmon, or salmon in a can. However, it will change the texture of the sauce. Can salmon will almost dissolve in the sauce versus staying whole and chunky like you may want.

How to make the creamy pasta sauce for salmon:

You will start by adding a pad of butter into the same skillet you seared the blackened salmon in. Then you should add the heavy cream and seasonings directly into the skillet and stir it until everything is combined.

Next, you need to sprinkle in your parmesan cheese. Stir the sauce up until the cheese is fully melted. The sauce will continue to thicken up as it cooks.

How do I remove the skin from the salmon?

If you cannot find skinless salmon, do not worry; and no need to remove the skin from the raw salmon. Follow all of the steps in regard to seasoning the salmon.

Only season the flesh side, not the skin side. Add the olive oil to the skillet, and place the salmon in SKIN SIDE FIRST.

Sear the salmon for about five minutes, flip it over and sear the other side. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set it to the side to cool.

Once the salmon is cool enough to handle, that skin will slide right off! It is that simple.

What is good to season salmon with?

Some delicious seasonings for salmon, especially for this recipe, are:

Seasoned salt
Black pepper
Paprika
Garlic Powder
Onion powder

Salmon is a semi mild tasting fish. So the seasonings you sprinkle on it before cooking are to truly enhance the flavor.

Is blackened salmon spicy?

No it is not spicy. The seasoning used to blacken the salmon add a delicious flavor, but do not pack any heat. In fact, the main blackening ingredient is the paprika, which has an extremely subtle flavor.

Some blackening seasons call for cayenne pepper. This recipe does not use cayenne. Even more, the method of cooking the salmon (in the cast iron skillet), is the true blackening process.

How to store and reheat salmon pasta leftovers:

Store the leftovers in an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

When you are ready to eat it, remove the container from the microwave, crack the lid to allow the steam to vent. Microwave on high for two to three minutes.

Do not freeze the pasta. The noodles will not reheat well after they have been frozen. Also, the creamy pasta sauce will separate after it thaws from freezing.

6 servings