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    Home » Main Dish

    Salmon Pesto Pasta

    May 2, 2022 | by Kelsey Sackmann | Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    Fast, fresh, light, and uses a handful of everyday ingredients. This salmon pesto pasta comes together quickly into a comforting yet elegant and healthy one-bowl meal in under 20-minutes.
    bowl of salmon pesto pasta on blue napkin

    This salmon pesto pasta is a quick and easy weeknight meal using canned salmon and pasta tossed in a hearty pesto sauce. You will love this pantry meal that comes together in the amount of time it takes to boil a pot of pasta!

    Using Canned Salmon

    Canned or easy to open salmon pouches are inexpensive, healthy, and convenient. Packed with heart healthy fats and protein, I always keep some on hand for when I want a quick meal and don't feel like chicken. 

    Sometimes, people struggle with what to make using canned fish since the taste is a little different compared to fresh. But the simplicity of the salmon, vibrant pesto, and tangy Parmesan mixed with a hint of lemon, are all you need to make these flavors sing. 

    While this quick and easy pasta is sure to hit the spot, you might also like these canned seafood recipes.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for salmon pesto pasta
    • Wild Caught Pink Salmon: boneless and skinless - a convenient, inexpensive way to add a quick protein to your dishes. You can find it canned or in single-serve pouches like the Starkist E.V.O.O Wild Pink Salmon Pouches.
    • Pesto (it's the besto): store bought or homemade (if you have time for that). I recommend using a brand you love since the pesto flavor really shines in this recipe. A lot of jarred pestos are high in sodium so keep an eye on the nutrition label!
    • Greek yogurt: many similar recipes call for a cream sauce using heavy cream. Yogurt gives you a lighter, healthier version with the same great texture. 
    • Lemon: some jarred pestos can taste quite lemony so you may not need to add the lemon juice.
    • Pasta: feel free to use any kind of pasta for this recipe!

    Variations

    • Love veggies? Chopped asparagus, broccoli, or sautéed spinach are a great addition to this pesto salmon pasta.
    • Love garlic? Add 1-2 cloves of sautéed garlic to the final mixture.
    • Love heat? A pinch of red pepper flakes will do the trick.

    Substitutions

    If you don't want a creamy sauce, omit the yogurt and reserve ½ cup pasta water to mix with pesto before tossing. The sauce will thicken, but this helps it stick to the pasta so you can enjoy every bite.

    I hope you enjoy this salmon pesto pasta as much as we did!  Feel free to leave a comment or rating below if you get a chance to try it.

    bowl of salmon pesto pasta on blue napkin

    Salmon Pesto Pasta

    Fast, fresh, light, and uses a handful of everyday ingredients. This salmon pesto pasta comes together quickly into a comforting yet elegant and healthy one-bowl meal in under 20-minutes.
    Print Pin Rate
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Author Kelsey Sackmann

    Ingredients

    • ½ pound fettuccine
    • ⅓ cup pesto
    • ¼ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 2 Wild Salmon Pouches drained and flaked
    • Freshly grated parmesan cheese optional

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta according to package. Drain and set aside.
    • In the same pot, stir in pesto, yogurt, and lemon juice. Let the sauce bubble for just a minute. Add salmon, reduce heat, and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
    • Return pasta to the sauce, mix gently. Cook for another 1-2 minutes or until everything is warm. Serve immediately.
    Tried this recipe?Don't forget to tag @kelseyandcooperskitchen!

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    Registered dietitian and dog mom helping busy millennials shop smart and eat well on a budget. I share my passion for cooking with quick and easy recipes, grocery tips & time-saving kitchen hacks.  We’ll also discuss my dislike of cheese and cook with my dog, Cooper, from time to time.

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