Healthier Smoked Salmon Linguine Recipe
This Healthier Smoked Salmon Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish that combines tender linguini with a luscious garlic cream sauce, bright lemon juice, smoky salmon, and briny capers. Perfect for a quick yet elegant meal, it balances richness with freshness and can be garnished with parsley for an extra touch of color and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound linguini noodles
- 3–4 tablespoons reserved pasta cooking water (add extra if necessary)
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 6–8 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 cup thick cream
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
Toppings
- 1 pound smoked salmon
- 2 tablespoons drained capers
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add linguini pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Once done, reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: In a large saucepan or skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown it. Add the heavy cream and bring to a gentle boil.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the lemon juice and 3-4 tablespoons of reserved pasta water into the boiling cream. Allow the mixture to return to a boil, letting the sauce thicken slightly. Add salt to taste, stir well, then turn off the heat.
- Combine Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked linguini to the cream sauce and toss thoroughly to coat all strands evenly.
- Add Smoked Salmon and Capers: Break the smoked salmon into smaller pieces using a fork. Add the salmon and drained capers to the pasta in the pan, then toss everything together to combine.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve the creamy smoked salmon linguine hot and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help thin or thicken sauce consistency as needed.
- Adjust salt carefully because smoked salmon and capers add saltiness.
- Use fresh parsley to add color and a fresh herbal note, but it’s optional.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a creamy plant-based alternative.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor; the cream sauce can thicken as it cools.
Keywords: Smoked Salmon, Linguine, Cream Sauce, Garlic, Lemon, Capers, Pasta Dish, Easy Dinner, Italian Cuisine
