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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Easy Salmon and Prawn Pasta Recipe

    Published: Aug 16, 2022 · Modified: Oct 7, 2024 by Beth Sachs · 4 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    A delicious salmon and prawn pasta recipe made with hot smoked salmon and ready-cooked king prawns. The pasta is smothered in a rich and creamy crème fraîche sauce flavoured with Parmesan, lemon, and dill.

    The best bit? It's on the table in just 15 minutes so it's the perfect recipe for busy weeknights!

    Hot smoked salmon and prawn pasta in a serving dish.

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    Smoked salmon and prawns (shrimp) are both high in protein and low in fat, and the pasta provides a good source of carbohydrates to keep you feeling full and satisfied, so this dish is considered a healthy and nutritious meal for the whole family.

    Not only that, the crème fraîche sauce adds a touch of creamy indulgence and luxury, without the richness of double cream.

    The recipe is also incredibly versatile. If you're not a fan of dill, you can easily substitute it with another herb of your choice, such as fresh parsley or basil. You can also add chopped cherry tomatoes or peas to the dish for an extra burst of colour and flavour.

    👩‍🍳 Love creamy pasta recipes? Try my creamy baked tortellini!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • Top Tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • 😋 More easy pasta recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    1. A quick and easy creamy seafood pasta recipe ready in just 15 minutes.
    2. The recipe can be doubled to feed a crowd, or halved for date night.
    3. Easily adaptable - add more veggies, swap the fresh herbs, and you could even add more seafood such as cooked crab meat!
    4. Leftovers can be served cold as a pasta salad the next day. Great for lunchboxes and picnics!

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for salmon and prawn pasta recipe.

    Pasta - 300g of your favourite pasta. I've used penne pasta but you could also use long pasta such as spaghetti, tagliatelle or linguine.

    Olive Oil - a mild oil for frying the garlic.

    Garlic - 2 cloves finely chopped or minced.

    Creme Fraiche - full-fat creme fraiche is best as it won't split when heated.

    Parmesan - finely grated to add flavour to the sauce. Swap for Grana Padano or Pecorino.

    Lemon - the juice of half a lemon helps cut through the creaminess of the sauce.

    Dill - fresh dill, finely chopped goes well with seafood and fish.

    Spinach - baby spinach wilts quickly in the hot sauce and adds nutrition.

    Sea Salt and Black Pepper - for seasoning.

    Prawns - ready-cooked king prawns or tiger prawns have the best flavour.

    Salmon - I like using hot smoked salmon fillets but swap for regular smoked salmon if you prefer.

    🔪 Instructions

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta to al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water for later, then drain the pasta and set aside.

    Two: Heat the oil in a frying pan or shallow casserole and gently cook the garlic on a low heat for a few minutes to soften.

    Three: Stir in the creme fraiche then add the grated Parmesan, chopped dill, lemon juice, baby spinach leaves, salt, and pepper.

    Four: Add the ready-cooked king prawns and flake in the hot smoked salmon fillets. Mix with a wooden spoon to combine.

    Five: Finally, add the cooked pasta and as much pasta cooking water as you need to make a silky glossy pasta sauce.

    Step by step photo instructions for making creamy prawn and salmon pasta.

    Top Tips

    • Cook the pasta until al dente. It should retain a slight bite and not become overly soft or mushy, as it will continue to cook when combined with the sauce.
    • Remember to reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water. This starchy water can be used to thin and emulsify the sauce if needed, enhancing its texture.
    • Use fresh lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright and vibrant flavour to the dish, so avoid bottled juice for the best results.
    • Serve immediately! This dish is best enjoyed hot and freshly made, ensuring maximum flavour and enjoyment.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Serve the creamy salmon and prawn pasta with green veggies such as air fryer asparagus and roasted tenderstem broccoli, as well as fresh crusty bread or homemade focaccia on the side.

    Garnish with extra dill and grated Parmesan.

    Salmon and prawn pasta in a red pan.

    📖 Variations

    • Swap the crème fraiche for double cream for a richer-tasting sauce.
    • Add a splash of white wine or vermouth and let it cook off before adding the crème fraiche.
    • Swap the baby spinach for cherry tomatoes.
    • Give it a Mediterranean twist and add olives, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese.
    • Make a salmon and prawn pasta bake. Simply spoon the pasta into a baking dish, top with grated mozzarella and Parmesan and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbling.
    • Garnish with chilli flakes or red pepper flakes and chopped spring onions.
    • Use raw prawns instead of ready-cooked king prawns. Add them to the pan at the same time as the garlic and cook them until they turn pink.
    • Swap regular pasta for wholewheat pasta or fresh pasta.

    🥡 Storage

    Store - This smoked salmon and prawn pasta dish is best consumed immediately after it's been made. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    Reheat - When reheating, simply heat the pasta in a pan over medium heat until it's hot, adding a splash of milk or cream to help revive the sauce if necessary. It can also be reheated in the microwave.

    Freeze - Unfortunately, this dish is not suitable for freezing. The pasta will become soft and the sauce will separate.

    Make-Ahead - If you're looking to make this dish ahead of time, it's best to prep the ingredients and store them separately until you're ready to cook.

    Easy prawn and salmon pasta garnished with dill and lemon.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    Can I use smoked salmon or fresh salmon?

    Yes, you can swap the hot smoked salmon fillets for smoked salmon or fresh salmon. If using fresh salmon, cook it in the microwave or in a frying pan first, and remove the skin before flaking it into the pasta.

    Can I make it in advance?

    The dish is best cooked fresh and eaten as soon as it is made. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge.

    Can I make this gluten-free?

    Yes! Replace ordinary pasta with gluten-free pasta.

    Can I use frozen cooked prawns instead of chilled ready-cooked king prawns?

    Yes, you can use frozen prawns, but you'll need to defrost them first.

    😋 More easy pasta recipes

    • Creamy Sausage Pasta
    • Leftover Gammon Pasta
    • Paprika Chicken Pasta
    • Sweet Potato Pasta
    • Bacon Mac and Cheese
    • Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
    • Cajun Chicken Pasta

    If you love prawns, you might also like my classic Gambas Pil Pil recipe.

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

    Recipe

    Salmon and prawn pasta with chopped dill on top.
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    5 from 9 votes

    Easy Salmon and Prawn Pasta

    An easy hot smoked salmon and prawn pasta recipe smothered in a rich and creamy creme fraiche sauce flavoured with Parmesan, lemon, and dill.
    Course Pasta
    Cuisine British, Italian
    Prep Time 4 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 11 minutes minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 510kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
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    Equipment

    • Chopping Board
    • Knife
    • Shallow Casserole
    • Wooden Spoon

    Ingredients

    • 300 g Pasta
    • 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
    • 2 Garlic Cloves peeled and finely chopped
    • 4 tablespoon Creme Fraiche
    • 2 tablespoon Dill chopped
    • ½ Lemon juice only
    • 50 g Baby Spinach
    • 3 tablespoon Parmesan grated
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 250 g Cooked King Prawns
    • 2 Hot Smoked Salmon Fillets flaked

    Instructions

    • Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta to al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water then drain the pasta and set aside.
      300 g Pasta
    • Heat the oil in a frying pan or shallow casserole and gently cook the garlic on a low heat for a few minutes to soften.
      1 teaspoon Olive Oil, 2 Garlic Cloves
    • Stir in the creme fraiche then add the grated Parmesan, chopped dill, lemon juice, baby spinach leaves, salt, and pepper.
      4 tablespoon Creme Fraiche, 2 tablespoon Dill, ½ Lemon, 50 g Baby Spinach, 3 tablespoon Parmesan, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • Add the ready-cooked king prawns and flake in the hot smoked salmon fillets. Mix with a wooden spoon to combine.
      250 g Cooked King Prawns, 2 Hot Smoked Salmon Fillets
    • Finally, add the cooked pasta and as much pasta cooking water as you need to make a silky glossy pasta sauce.

    Notes

    Variations:
    • Swap the crème fraiche for double cream for a richer tasting sauce.
    • Add a splash of white wine or vermouth and let it cook off before adding the crème fraiche.
    • Swap the baby spinach for cherry tomatoes.
    • Give it a Mediterranean twist and add olives, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese.
    • Make a salmon and prawn pasta bake. Simply spoon the pasta into a baking dish, top with grated mozzarella and Parmesan and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbling.
    • Garnish with chilli flakes or red pepper flakes and chopped spring onions.
    • Use raw prawns instead of ready-cooked king prawns. Add them to the pan at the same time as the garlic and cook them until they turn pink.
    • Swap regular pasta for wholewheat pasta or fresh pasta. You could even use homemade pasta!
     
    Storage:
    Store - This smoked salmon and prawn pasta dish is best consumed immediately after it's been made. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
    Reheat - When reheating, simply heat the pasta in a pan over medium heat until it's hot, adding a splash of milk or cream to help revive the sauce if necessary. It can also be reheated in the microwave.
    Freeze - Unfortunately, this dish is not suitable for freezing. The pasta will become soft and the sauce will separate.
    Make-Ahead - If you're looking to make this dish ahead of time, it's best to prep the ingredients and store them separately until you're ready to cook.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Salmon and Prawn Pasta
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    510
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    14
    g
    22
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    25
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.05
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    191
    mg
    64
    %
    Sodium
     
    783
    mg
    34
    %
    Potassium
     
    771
    mg
    22
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    57
    g
    19
    %
    Fiber
     
    3
    g
    13
    %
    Sugar
     
    2
    g
    2
    %
    Protein
     
    38
    g
    76
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1414
    IU
    28
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    11
    mg
    13
    %
    Calcium
     
    134
    mg
    13
    %
    Iron
     
    3
    mg
    17
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathleen

      August 16, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      5 stars
      I'm loving the rich and creamy crème fraiche sauce. It goes perfectly with the seafood and makes this pasta dish pop!

      Reply
    2. Sheila

      August 16, 2022 at 4:47 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for a delicious and quick gourmet recipe — even for busy weeknights! We loved it.

      Reply
    3. Aimee Mars

      August 16, 2022 at 5:06 pm

      5 stars
      This salmon is so easy! It is both flavorful and delectable. 5 stars from me!

      Reply
    4. Kristine

      August 16, 2022 at 5:44 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this recipe! So easy and so fulfilling. I'll make this again, thanks!

      Reply
    5 from 9 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Beth!

    Mum of three (and two crazy dogs), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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