Description
Creamy Garlic Salmon & Shrimp Pasta
Indulge in this rich and creamy seafood pasta, loaded with perfectly seared salmon, juicy shrimp, and a luscious garlic parmesan sauce. This dish is a restaurant-quality meal that you can easily make at home!
Ingredients:
For the Seafood:
2 salmon fillets
10-12 large shrimp, peeled & deveined
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
Salt & black pepper to taste
For the Pasta & Sauce:
250g fettuccine pasta
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
½ teaspoon salt & black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
Cook the Pasta: Boil fettuccine in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sear the Salmon: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Season salmon with salt and pepper, then sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Cook the Shrimp: In the same pan, add butter and cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Set aside.
Prepare the Sauce: In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Add heavy cream, parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and let simmer for 2-3 minutes until thick and creamy.
Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing well to coat.
Assemble: Place the salmon and shrimp on top of the creamy pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan.
Serve & Enjoy: Plate up this luxurious seafood pasta and enjoy every creamy, flavorful bite!
This dish is a perfect way to impress your guests or treat yourself to a five-star meal at home. Let me know if you need more recipes!
Step-by-Step Guide
For flawless execution, follow this detailed guide. Begin by prepping all ingredients: mince garlic, chop parsley, grate parmesan, and pat seafood dry. Use a large skillet or pan to maintain consistent heat. When searing the salmon, ensure the pan is hot before adding the oil to get a crispy skin. After removing the salmon, let it rest on a plate tented with foil. For the shrimp, cook just until they form a “C” shape to avoid rubberiness. When making the sauce, keep the heat at medium-low after adding the cream to prevent separation. Stir constantly while adding the parmesan to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This rich pasta pairs beautifully with lighter sides. Serve with a crisp arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or steamed asparagus. For a wine pairing, choose a crisp white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the creaminess. To elevate presentation, flake the salmon into large chunks over the pasta rather than serving whole fillets, and garnish with extra parsley and a lemon wedge.
How-to Summary
In summary, this dish involves four key stages: 1) Cook pasta al dente. 2) Sear salmon and shrimp sequentially in the same pan. 3) Create a creamy garlic parmesan sauce in that same pan. 4) Combine pasta with sauce, top with seafood, and garnish. The entire process leverages one pan for layered flavor and is designed to be completed in under 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp and salmon? Yes, fully thaw and pat them extremely dry before cooking to ensure proper searing and to prevent a watery sauce.
How can I make this dish lighter? Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk, though the sauce will be slightly less thick. You can also use whole wheat or legume-based pasta.
My sauce is too thin. How do I thicken it? Let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to reduce. You can also create a slurry with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp water, whisking it into the simmering sauce.
Can I prepare any components ahead? You can prep the garlic, parsley, and grate the cheese ahead. Cook the seafood and sauce fresh for best texture and flavor.
What if I don’t have fettuccine? Any long pasta like linguine or tagliatelle works well. Short pastas like penne are also acceptable, though they hold the sauce differently.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking the Seafood: Salmon becomes dry and shrimp turn rubbery if cooked too long. Remove them just as they become opaque.
- Adding Cheese to Boiling Sauce: Always reduce heat to low before adding parmesan to prevent it from clumping or becoming greasy.
- Using Pre-Grated Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. Always grate fresh.
- Crowding the Pan: Sear the salmon fillets with space between them. Crowding steams the fish instead of creating a golden crust.
- Underseasoning the Pasta Water: The water should taste like the sea. This is your primary chance to season the pasta itself.
Conclusion
This Creamy Garlic Salmon & Shrimp Pasta is a testament to how simple techniques can yield an extraordinary, restaurant-worthy meal. By mastering the sequential searing and building a luxurious sauce in one pan, you create layers of flavor with minimal cleanup. It’s a versatile recipe that allows for personal tweaks while remaining reliably impressive. Whether for a weeknight treat or a special occasion, this dish promises a deliciously satisfying experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.