Tuscan Salmon Pasta Recipe with Creamy Garlic Sauce

Cooking salmon alongside a cream sauce requires heat control so the dairy does not split. This recipe uses two seasoned salmon fillets cooked skin side down for four to five minutes before finishing a pan sauce with garlic, tomato paste, spinach, and heavy cream. Total cooking time runs thirty minutes.

If cooking salmon in an air fryer, use a standard 1500W unit set to 400F for 8 to 10 minutes. The stovetop skillet method remains superior because the leftover pan oil adds flavor directly into the garlic cream sauce base.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season the salmon

Season both fillets evenly with 2 teaspoons Old Bay, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Rub seasonings evenly across all sides of the fish.

2. Sear salmon fillets

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook salmon skin side down for 4 to 5 minutes, flip, and cook 4 to 5 minutes more until done.

3. Boil the fettuccine

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook 1/2 lb fettuccine to al dente according to package instructions, then drain.

4. Sauté aromatics and cream

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, then cook minced shallot and garlic for 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, heavy cream, 2 teaspoons Old Bay, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.

5. Melt cheese and greens

Stir in Parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and stir until spinach wilts and cheese melts completely.

6. Toss pasta and serve

Add cooked fettuccine to the skillet and lightly toss to coat in sauce. Plate pasta into bowls and top with cooked salmon fillets.

How to Store Tuscan Salmon Pasta

Variations

Air Fryer Method

Season salmon and cook at 400F in a 1500W air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes while preparing sauce on stovetop.

Oven Bake Method

Bake seasoned salmon at 410F on a foil-lined sheet tray for 12 minutes instead of pan searing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tuscan Salmon Pasta Recipe with Creamy Garlic Sauce

Pan-sear tender salmon fillets and toss fettuccine in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach for dinner.

15 minPrep time20 minCook time35 minTotal4Servings

Print RecipePin Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 2 teaspoons Old Bay® seasoning (divided)
• 4 teaspoons smoked paprika (divided)
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder (divided)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 shallot (minced)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 7 oz sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 cups baby spinach
• ½ lb fettuccine pasta

Instructions

1. 1Season the salmon — Season both fillets evenly with 2 teaspoons Old Bay, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Rub seasonings evenly across all sides of the fish.
2. 2Sear salmon fillets — Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook salmon skin side down for 4 to 5 minutes, flip, and cook 4 to 5 minutes more until done.
3. 3Boil the fettuccine — Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook 1/2 lb fettuccine to al dente according to package instructions, then drain.
4. 4Sauté aromatics and cream — Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, then cook minced shallot and garlic for 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, heavy cream, 2 teaspoons Old Bay, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
5. 5Melt cheese and greens — Stir in Parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and stir until spinach wilts and cheese melts completely.
6. 6Toss pasta and serve — Add cooked fettuccine to the skillet and lightly toss to coat in sauce. Plate pasta into bowls and top with cooked salmon fillets.

Cook's note: Check internal salmon temperature with a probe thermometer. Fish reaches ideal doneness at 145F.

Servings: 4

Cuisine: Italian

Course: Main Course

RecipesCooker15 minutes20 minutes35 minutes

Written by Darnell
Darnell covers air fryer recipes and slow cook meals, with a steady side of eggs and breakfast casseroles for people cooking on a tight schedule. He writes in a blunt, test-it-again voice and flags the mistakes that ruin texture, from soggy fries to rubbery eggs. Every post gives timings, temperatures, and a fallback if your machine runs hot.