Preparing your experience

Prep
Cook
Servings
Views
1 photo • Tap to view
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this elegant yet simple dish. Tender pan-seared salmon meets a bright, herbaceous pasta, perfect for a light and flavorful meal.
Yumzy
Public Recipe
Prepare the herb sauce: In a food processor, combine parsley, basil, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and minced garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
💡 Tip: Toasting the pine nuts brings out their nutty flavor. You can do this in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown, or in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until the sauce is smooth and emulsified. Stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
💡 Tip: The consistency of the sauce can be adjusted with more or less olive oil, depending on your preference.
Cook the pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
💡 Tip: Always reserve pasta water! It's starchy and salty, and a fantastic ingredient for emulsifying sauces.
While the pasta cooks, pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Drying the salmon is key to achieving a beautiful sear and crispy skin.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place the salmon fillets, skin-side down (if applicable), into the hot skillet.
💡 Tip: Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook salmon in batches if necessary to ensure proper searing.
Sear the salmon for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets.
💡 Tip: For medium-rare salmon, aim for an internal temperature of around 125°F (52°C).
Return the drained pasta to the pot. Add about 3/4 of the prepared herb sauce and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time, as needed, to create a light coating on the pasta.
💡 Tip: Start with less pasta water and add more gradually until the pasta is nicely coated and not dry.
Divide the sauced pasta among serving plates. Top each plate with a seared salmon fillet. Drizzle any remaining herb sauce over the salmon and serve immediately.
💡 Tip: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a lemon wedge can add a final touch of freshness.
Join Yumzy to create your own recipes, discover more delicious meals, and get personalized cooking assistance!
Recipes shared by Yumzy users. Please verify ingredients and cooking times. Learn more: Terms of Service.