Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon (Printable Version)
Tender salmon with garlic butter fettuccine and a flavorful Parmesan cream sauce enriched by herbs and lemon.
# Everything You’ll Need:
→ Seafood
01 -
4 skinless salmon fillets, about 6 oz each
→ Oils and Fats
02 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
03 -
4 tablespoons butter, divided
→ Aromatics & Seasonings
04 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
½ teaspoon paprika
07 -
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
08 -
Salt, to taste
09 -
Black pepper, to taste
10 -
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
→ Liquids
11 -
Juice of ½ lemon
12 -
1½ cups heavy cream
13 -
½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
→ Cheese
14 -
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pasta
15 -
12 ounces fettuccine pasta
16 -
Salt, for boiling water
17 -
1 tablespoon olive oil, for tossing pasta
→ Herbs & Garnishes
18 -
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
19 -
Fresh thyme sprigs or parsley, optional garnish
20 -
Extra Parmesan cheese, optional garnish
21 -
Crumbled bacon bits, optional for smoky twist
# Steps to Cook:
01 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fettuccine until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and set aside.
02 -
Pat salmon fillets dry and season evenly with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 cloves garlic minced and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Sear salmon for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Squeeze lemon juice over salmon, then remove from skillet and keep warm.
03 -
In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and sauté 4 cloves garlic minced for about 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream and broth, stirring as it comes to a gentle simmer. Add Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Stir in chopped parsley.
04 -
Add cooked fettuccine to the sauce and toss to coat completely. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if sauce needs loosening.
05 -
Divide pasta among plates and top each portion with seared salmon fillets. Spoon additional sauce over salmon. Garnish with fresh herbs, extra Parmesan, and crumbled bacon bits if desired.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
For a lighter sauce, substitute half the heavy cream with milk.
02 -
Use fresh salmon for optimal flavor and texture.
03 -
Adjust garlic quantities to taste.