Creamy Hot Smoked Salmon Pasta Recipe
A luscious and comforting creamy hot smoked salmon pasta recipe featuring tender pasta tossed in a delicate sauce of crème fraîche, white wine, lemon, and fresh dill, complemented by sweet peas and smoky salmon. Perfect for a quick yet elegant weeknight dinner.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Low Fat
Pasta and Vegetables
- 250 g (8.8 oz) pasta
- 150 g (1 cup) frozen peas
Sauce and Flavorings
- 30 g (1 ounce) unsalted butter
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 75 ml (⅓ cup) dry white wine
- 200 ml (1 cup) creme fraiche
- Juice of one lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Protein
- 180 g (6.3 oz) hot smoked salmon, flaked
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season it generously with salt, and cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Before draining, reserve one cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Blanch the peas: In a separate small pot, bring water to a boil. Add the frozen peas and cook for 1 minute. Drain immediately and submerge the peas in ice-cold water to stop the cooking process and keep their vibrant color.
- Sauté the shallot: Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallot and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it softens and becomes slightly translucent without browning.
- Deglaze with white wine: Pour the dry white wine into the pan with the shallot and cook until most of the alcohol evaporates and the liquid reduces slightly, intensifying the flavor.
- Add creme fraiche and lemon juice: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the crème fraîche followed by the fresh lemon juice, creating a smooth and creamy sauce base.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Transfer the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce and toss well to coat evenly. If the sauce appears too thick or dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Incorporate peas, salmon, and dill: Gently fold in the blanched peas, flaked hot smoked salmon, and fresh chopped dill. Stir carefully to prevent the salmon from breaking apart too much.
- Season and serve: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- Use hot smoked salmon for a rich and smoky flavor; cold or raw salmon will change the character of the dish.
- Blanching peas in boiling water then shocking in ice water preserves their bright green color and fresh taste.
- Reserve pasta water to help achieve the desired sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute crème fraîche with Greek yogurt or a low-fat cream alternative.
- This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Riesling.
Keywords: hot smoked salmon pasta, creamy pasta, salmon pasta recipe, easy pasta dinner, creamy smoked salmon, dill salmon pasta