Salmon Pasta without Cream
This Salmon Pasta Without Cream has a vibrant sauce by sautéing kale with shallots and garlic, then blending it with Parmesan, walnuts, lemon, and olive oil. The result is a healthy and delicious dinner loved by my whole family.
Ingredients
For the Pasta and Sauce:
- 8 oz pasta e.g., bucatini
- 4 tablespoon olive oil divided
- 1 bunch kale stems removed and roughly chopped
- 3 garlic cloves finely chopped or minced
- ½ shallot finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ lemon juiced
- 3 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup walnuts
For the Salmon:
- 12 oz salmon cut into 2-inch cubes
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt more or less to taste
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder more or less to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried dill more or less to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper more or less to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Cook the salmon: Season the salmon cubes with salt, garlic powder, dill, and black pepper.Option 1: Roast - Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Place salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roast for about 8 minutes or until just cooked through.Option 2: Pan sear - In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the salmon cubes and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until just cooked through. You can then use this skillet to cook the kale.
- Prepare the kale: While the pasta cooks, remove the stems from the kale and roughly chop the leaves. Massage the kale with your hands for about 30 seconds to soften.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the kale and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and shallot, cooking for an additional 5–8 minutes until softened, adding another tablespoon of olive oil if needed.
- Blend the sauce: Transfer the sautéed kale mixture to a food processor or blender. Add the walnuts, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and about ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Blend until a thick paste forms, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Return the cooked pasta to the pot or a large skillet. Add the kale sauce. Stir to combine, adding more pasta water as needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Add the salmon: Gently fold the cooked salmon into the pasta, allowing the salmon to flake naturally. Stir until the salmon is evenly distributed and the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Option to heat the pot slightly if you want the salmon to cook more or sauce to warm up.
- Serve: Divide the pasta among plates or bowls. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!