Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Salmon

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Wondering what to do with leftover salmon? This is a delicious and easy way to turn it into another weeknight-friendly, quick dinner. Don't forget to reserve some pasta water—its starch thickens the lemon-garlic pasta sauce and makes it silky-smooth.

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Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
  • Use up your leftover salmon in this easy 15-minute pasta dinner.
  • Whole-wheat pasta provides fiber that keeps you satisfied and supports good digestion.
  • You can substitute canned salmon if you don't have leftovers on hand.

This Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Salmon is a perfect way to use up your leftover salmon. Omega-3-rich salmon and fiber-filled whole-wheat pasta are infused with lemony, garlicky olive oil that, along with pasta water, creates a luscious, silky sauce. Subtle saltiness of briny anchovies and a slight kick of heat from crushed red pepper round out the flavors—you'll be making this recipe on repeat. Keep reading for our expert tips, including ingredient substitutions.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • We recommend using whole-wheat pasta for its hearty flavor, but you can substitute it with any type and shape of pasta you prefer.
  • Use leftover grilled or roasted salmon, or if you're looking to save time, you can use canned salmon—boneless, skinless sockeye has the richest flavor, while pink salmon is milder. Try to find a reduced-sodium variety.
  • This recipe calls for 1¼ cups cooked salmon (about ¼ pound). If you choose canned, a 7.5-ounce can is approximately 1 cup, and a 14.75-ounce can is approximately 2 cups.
  • If crushed red pepper is too hot for your taste buds, you can opt out of it or use a sprinkle of black pepper instead.

Nutrition Notes

  • Salmon is loaded with heart- and brain-healthy omega-3s, which may also be good for your joints. Salmon is also an excellent source of protein and the antioxidant astaxanthin, which supports healthy immune function.
  • Whole-wheat pasta is filled with fiber-rich whole grains, perfect for filling you up and keeping you satisfied—not to mention preventing constipation. Whole-wheat pasta is also a great source of energy-boosting carbs to keep you energized all day long. While not as rich in fiber, if you're not sold on whole-wheat pasta, you can certainly use regular pasta. You'll even still get a touch of fiber.
  • Olive oil is loaded with monounsaturated fats and antioxidants that help protect your heart, brain and bones. Olive oil is also rich in polyphenols, so regularly including olive oil in your meals may also reduce inflammation.
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 8 ounces whole-wheat pasta

  • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 5 cloves garlic, chopped

  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste

  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon

  • cups flaked cooked salmon

  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 2 tablespoons whole-wheat breadcrumbs, toasted

Directions

  1. Cook 8 ounces pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving ½ cup cooking water.

  2. Combine 5 tablespoons oil, garlic, 1 teaspoon anchovy paste, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper, lemon zest and lemon juice in a large skillet. Heat over medium-high heat until sizzling, about 3 minutes. Add the reserved water, the pasta, 1½ cups salmon, 3 tablespoons parsley and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the sauce coats the pasta, about 2 minutes. Serve topped with 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I know when my salmon is done cooking?

    When cooking fish at 400°F, a good rule of thumb is to allow 8 to 10 minutes per inch of thickness. Just keep an eye on the fish and check it before you think it's done. To be safe, stick an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part; it should hit 145°F. The fish should appear opaque, feel firm and moist. If you poke it with a fork, it should flake apart easily.

  • How do I make toasted whole-wheat breadcrumbs?

    You can buy whole-wheat breadcrumbs in a can, but it's super easy to make your own. Just toast up some whole-wheat bread, let it cool and then toss it in a food processor to turn it into crumbs. If you're not in the mood to pull out gadgets, pop the toast into a zip-top bag and gently crush it by rolling it over with a rolling pin.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    Salmon tastes best right after it's cooked. However, if you have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator, where they should stay good for about 3 days. Since fish can dry out quickly, it's important to reheat it slowly and check it often. To help keep the salmon and pasta moist, give it a light spritz of water or oil before reheating. You can heat it in a skillet on the stovetop or cover it with a damp paper towel and place it in the microwave, checking it after 1 minute.

  • What should I serve with Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Salmon?

    A green vegetable would be a perfect addition to your meal, such as Garlic-Parmesan Asparagus, Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini or Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts. You can also pair it with a simple salad, like the Herb & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette. To keep things uncomplicated and quick, consider piling a variety of your favorite vegetables on a sheet pan and roasting them. Some of our favorites include Sheet-Pan Roasted Root Vegetables, Lemon-Roasted Mixed Vegetables and Roasted Romesco Vegetables.

EatingWell Magazine, November 2019

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

473 Calories
23g Fat
49g Carbs
20g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 1/3 cup
Calories 473
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 49g 18%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Total Sugars 4g
Added Sugars 1g 2%
Protein 20g 40%
Total Fat 23g 29%
Saturated Fat 3g 17%
Cholesterol 26mg 9%
Vitamin A 367IU 7%
Vitamin C 16mg 18%
Folate 59mcg 15%
Sodium 395mg 17%
Calcium 63mg 5%
Iron 3mg 16%
Magnesium 94mg 22%
Potassium 513mg 11%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.