Description
This quick and easy canned salmon pasta recipe combines flaky canned salmon with a bright lemon-garlic sauce tossed with al dente spaghetti. It’s a flavorful, satisfying weeknight meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes using simple pantry ingredients and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 4 ounces uncooked spaghetti pasta
- Salt for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (5 ounce) can salmon (pink or sockeye, boneless and skinless)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce ingredients.
- Prepare Sauce Base: When the pasta is nearly ready, heat olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Salmon and Flavorings: Stir in the canned salmon, breaking it up with a fork. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. If desired, include some of the juices from the salmon can for extra flavor. Allow the mixture to heat through gently.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Reserve a few tablespoons of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Add the reserved pasta water to the sauce to loosen it slightly. Toss the drained spaghetti into the sauce, mixing well to coat evenly.
- Season and Serve: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For added flavor, try mixing in capers, red pepper flakes, or chopped olives.
- Use sockeye salmon for a richer taste or pink salmon for a milder flavor.
- If you want a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or crème fraîche at the end.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- This recipe works well with other pasta shapes such as penne or fusilli.
