Creamy Salmon and Crème Fraîche Pasta
A delightful blend of tender salmon, creamy crème fraîche, and bowtie pasta, enhanced with fresh herbs and peas for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 1 pound salmon fillet Rich flavor and high-quality protein.
- 3 tablespoons salted butter Adds creaminess to the dish.
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley Brighten the flavors.
- 2 cloves garlic For warmth and depth of flavor.
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest Brightens the flavors.
- 1 pinch salt To taste.
- 1 pinch black pepper To taste.
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta Creates a fun texture.
- 1 cup frozen peas Adds sweetness and color.
For the Sauce
- 1 cup crème fraîche Provides richness and slight tang.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice Balances the richness.
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives Mild onion flavor.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Lightly spray or brush olive oil on a baking sheet.
- Pat the salmon fillet dry with a paper towel and place it skin side down on the baking sheet.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine softened butter, parsley, lemon zest, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Spread the butter mixture evenly on top of the salmon.
- Bake the salmon for about 12-14 minutes until it flakes easily.
- Remove the salmon from the oven and separate the flesh from the skin; set aside.
Cooking
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.
- Add the bowtie pasta and cook until just before al dente, about 1-2 minutes shorter than package instructions.
- Add the frozen peas to the boiling pasta and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Before draining, reserve about a cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Drain the cooked pasta and peas into a colander.
- Return the drained pasta and peas back to the warm pot on the turned-off burner.
- Mix in crème fraîche, lemon zest and juice, chives, butter, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper.
- Stir to combine, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Gently fold the salmon flesh into the pasta.
- Check for seasoning, adding extra salt, pepper, and lemon juice as desired.
Notes
Use wild-caught salmon for best flavor. Reserve more pasta water to adjust sauce creaminess. Experiment with different herbs for flavor customization.