Easy Salmon and Prawn Pasta (2024)

If you're looking for a hearty and flavourful meal that's both quick and easy to prepare, then look no further than this 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!

Smoked salmon and prawns 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 it's 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. It really is a flavour match made in heaven.

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 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!

✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

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

🛒 Ingredient notes

• Pasta - 300g of your favourite pasta. I've used penne pasta but you could also use long pasta such as 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 pairs so 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.

💭 Expert tips

• Generously salt the pasta cooking water. It should be as salty as the Mediterranean!
• Cook the pasta to al dente. It should still have a little bit of a bite and not be too soft or soggy. Remember, it will continue to cook once you add it to the sauce.
• Don't forget to reserve the cup of pasta cooking water. The pasta water can be used to thin out and emulsify the sauce if needed.
• Use fresh lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice will give the dish a bright and fresh flavour, so make sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of bottled.
• Serve immediately! This dish is best served hot and immediately after it's made.

🍴 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.

📖 Variations

• Swap the creme 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 creme 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.

❓ Frequently asked questions

😋 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.

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