If you're looking for an elegant pasta dinner that's surprisingly easy to make, this Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta is the recipe you've been waiting for. Silky cream cheese and heavy cream create a rich, velvety sauce, while cold-smoked salmon, fresh dill, lemon, and chives add bright, fresh flavor to every bite. Best of all, it's ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Whether you're serving it for a cozy family dinner, a date night at home, or a holiday brunch, this creamy salmon pasta feels restaurant-worthy without requiring complicated techniques.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Rich, creamy, and packed with fresh flavor.
- Uses simple ingredients that are easy to find.
- Smoked salmon adds incredible flavor without any cooking.
- Perfect for entertaining or a quick weeknight meal.
This recipe is a low effort high impact dish. If you like recipes like this, you will love Slow Cooker Pork Ragu and Italian Beans and Greens.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Smoked Salmon - Adds rich, smoky flavor while providing plenty of protein. Since it's already cooked, it warms quickly and makes this pasta easy to prepare.
- Dijon Mustard - The secret ingredient for a balanced cream sauce. It adds tanginess and deepens the overall flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Cream Cheese - Creates a smooth, velvety sauce with a slight tang. It melts beautifully, giving the pasta its creamy texture.
- Heavy Cream - Adds richness and helps create a luxurious, silky sauce that coats the pasta evenly. It also balances the bright lemon and savory salmon.
- Dill & Chives - Fresh dill complements the smoky salmon with its light, herbaceous flavor, while chives add a mild onion note and fresh color, brightening the entire dish.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make It
- Step 1: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard and lemon zest. Let the mixture warm for about a minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Reduce the heat to low, then whisk in the cream cheese and heavy cream until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Add the lemon juice, white pepper, chopped dill, and chopped chives. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Step 4: Using tongs, toss the pasta until every strand is coated in the creamy sauce. The pasta water helps create a silky sauce that clings beautifully to the noodles.
- Gently fold in the smoked salmon just before serving.
Hint: Since the salmon is already cooked, it only needs to warm through.
Variations
Add Vegetables
Fresh spinach, asparagus, or peas all pair wonderfully with smoked salmon.
Make it Spicy
A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a Calabrian chili adds just enough heat to balance the richness.
Swap the Herbs
Fresh parsley or tarragon can be substituted for the dill if preferred.
Diana's Tips for Success
- Don't overheat the sauce after adding the smoked salmon. Gentle heat keeps the salmon tender.
- Reserve your pasta water before draining. The starch helps create an incredibly silky sauce.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
- Let the cream cheese soften before cooking so it melts smoothly.
Top Tip
Taste the sauce before adding salt. Smoked salmon naturally adds plenty of saltiness.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently over low heat with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce. Avoid boiling, as high heat can cause the cream sauce to separate.
Freezing is not recommended since cream-based sauces can become grainy after thawing.
What to Serve with Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta
This rich pasta pairs well with lighter side dishes, including:
- Mixed green salad with Italian Salad Dressing
- Simple Lemon Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan
- Charred Broccolini
Related Recipes
Creamy Smoke Salmon Pasta is a simple dish that looks very impressive. Would you like more out of the box pasta recipes that are as easy as they are impressive? Try these:
- Shrimp Sausage Broccolini Pasta
- Lemon Pesto Pasta
- Pasta with Pesto Rosso
- Roasted Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Pasta
- Pumpkin Pasta with Breadcrumb Topping
Stay in the Know! Follow Delicious by Design on Facebook for new recipes and cooking tips! Love this recipe? Leave a 5 Star Review!
📖 Recipe
Pasta with Smoked Salmon and Herbs
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet
- 1 Large Pot for boiling pasta
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons Salted butter
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 4 Ounces Cream Cheese cut into cubes
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Lemon zest + juice
- 1 teaspoon White Pepper
- 6 Ounces Smoked Salmon cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Dill chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Chive chopped
- 1 Pound Pasta long noodles thick spaghetti, fettucine, or bucatini
- ½ Cup Salted Pasta Water Reserved
Instructions
Pasta Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package directions.
- Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Creamy Smoked Salmon Sauce
- Start by melting the butter in a large skillet on medium-low heat.
- Then, add dijon mustard and the zest of 1 lemon and let warm until the pan becomes aromatic.
- Next, lower the heat and add cream cheese and heavy cream. Whisk together until fully melted and integrated into the butter.
- Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water.
- Using tongs, toss the pasta until every strand is coated in the creamy sauce.
- Gently fold in the smoked salmon just before serving. Since the salmon is already cooked, it only needs to warm through.
- Finish with extra dill, chives, and a little lemon zest if desired.
- Pasta Instructions
Notes
- Don't overheat the sauce after adding the smoked salmon. Gentle heat keeps the salmon tender.
- Reserve your pasta water before draining. The starch helps create an incredibly silky sauce.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
- Let the cream cheese soften before cooking so it melts smoothly.
- Taste the sauce before adding salt. Smoked salmon naturally adds plenty of saltiness.
- Bucatini
- Fettuccine
- Thick spaghetti
- Linguine
- Tagliatelle
- Mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Roasted asparagus
- Garlic bread
- Steamed green beans
- Roasted broccoli
Nutrition
Never miss a new recipe from Delicious by Design! Sign-up below for weekly recipes directly in your inbox.
Diana Reis says
Try this low effort, high impact dish for a beautiful dinner in under 20 minutes