This Salmon Pappardelle in Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce makes a quick and easy weeknight dinner feel special. Perfectly pan-seared salmon with al dente pappardelle pasta and tender spinach are coated in a creamy roasted sweet red pepper sauce.
There is a cashier at the grocery store I frequent I refer to as “The Eye Roller”. Anytime I make a special request, she rolls her eyes.
“Could I have that in plastic”? Eye roll. “Please bag the water”. Eye roll.
Every. Time.
You’d think her eyes would permanently be stuck to the top of her eye socket because she rolls them so much. She evidently thinks customers are an imposition. Of course, I avoid her aisle as much as I can.
Do you ever get the feeling some people think they are doing you a favor by performing their job? I certainly do. It’s to the extent that I feel customer service is a lost art, so much so that I am touched when someone is helpful, courteous, and doing their job well. And it’s to the point where I want to hug them or make them cookies.
Maybe that’s just me. Thanks for letting me think out loud, or in this case, in black and white 🙂
This salmon dish is surely a winner, guys! It is truly quick and easy. It’s the sort of recipe I rely on for weeknight dinners. With the long-awaited extended daylight hours and mild temperatures, I want to spend more of my time outdoors and less in the kitchen after a day at the office. As a matter of fact, this dish takes about 35 minutes to make. And that includes the time to boil water.
This dish makes a small amount of salmon go a long way. As you know, salmon is not a particularly cheap fish. However, this dish turns 1 pound of salmon into a 4-serving pasta meal! Total win!!
So, I’m going to come clean. If you make this recipe, you will have a little more sauce than seen in these pictures. That is because the sauce is so good that I tweaked the recipe and increased the amount of red pepper sauce AFTER I did the photoshoot. You’re welcome!!
I don’t know why I’m sharing this, but my tripod has been acting up. It was a total pain in the butt during the photo shoot for this recipe. If an inanimate object could show subordination, my tripod was definitely saying, “You’re not the bossa me”!
At any rate, I’m going to shop at my favorite online store, Amazon, for a new tripod that won’t yell at me the next time I conduct a photo shoot. And with my Amazon Prime, I will get it with no shipping cost and two-day delivery! So wish me luck!!
All in all, I feel like I’m dining out when I eat this dish. It tastes so luxurious, especially paired with a nice glass of wine.
Enjoy!!
Recommended supplies:
These are products I use, or on my wishlist, or are highly rated. (Amazon affiliate links)
5-quart pan with lid. This saute pan is large enough to make the sauce and mix in the pasta. It has ScratchDefense nonstick technology, and the nonstick coating has been tested to last 130 times longer than the competition.
Pasta pot—this 6-quart stainless steel pot has a straining cover. It also has cups and liters measuring marks.
I have this over the sink colander. I love that it prevents the food from coming in contact with the sink floor.
These tongs with silicone tips are on my to-get list. I like silicone because it is more gentle on soft food than stainless steel tips.
Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce can be found in the Asian food aisle. But if you can’t find it, it’s available online.
This Salmon Pappardelle in Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce makes a quick and easy weeknight dinner feel special. Perfectly pan-seared salmon with al dente pappardelle pasta and tender spinach are coated in a creamy roasted sweet red pepper sauce.
Ingredients
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pappardelle. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set reserved pasta water and drained pasta aside until ready to use.
Meanwhile, pat the salmon dry. Allow it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking.
Using a food processor or a blender, puree the roasted red pepper. Set aside.
Preheat a large skillet or saute pan on medium-high. Season both sides of the salmon with a sprinkling of salt and pepper.
When the skillet is hot, add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add salmon, skin side down. Reduce heat to medium. Gently press down of salmon with a spatula for 10-15 seconds to ensure the skin comes in contact with the skillet. At this point, leave the salmon alone. The flesh will lighten in color as it cooks from the bottom up. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes or until the pale color has reached 2/3 way up. Flip the salmon over. Cook for approximately 2 minutes or until the sides of the salmon turn almost completely pale.
If using salmon steak where the sides are covered by skin, use an instant read thermometer to test for doneness. Insert the thermometer into the deepest part. It’s done when the temperature reaches 135 degrees F.
Remove the salmon from the skillet. Allow to cool slightly. Remove and discard skin. Break into bite-size chunks. Set aside.
Bring the skillet to heat on medium. Add the remaining oil and the shallot, stirring constantly for a minute. Next, add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Stir in light cream, reserved pasta water, and pureed red peppers.
Add sriracha and the remaining salt and pepper. When the sauce begins to bubble, add spinach. Stir and simmer gently until mostly wilted.
Return the salmon to the skillet. Stir gently into the sauce. Cook for 1 minute.
Add pasta to the sauce. Work the pasta into the sauce being careful not to break up the salmon pieces. Reseason with additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Serve hot.
Makes 4 servings.
Keywords:Salmon, Pappardelle, Roasted Red Pepper, Cream Sauce, Easy Weeknight Dinner
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I have had that thought so many times, about people who think they are doing you a favor when performing their job. Not as much in Germany where I live now, but in my home country, Romania. The worst was when I wanted to buy a chocolate (and was 6 months and very obviously pregnant) and the cashier started screaming at me because the chocolate didn't have a price tag, how on Earth is she supposed to know all the prices and why do I have to pick that chocolate, if it doesn't have a price tag? I have never screamed at a stranger so loud in my whole life… I totally lost it!!! But on a more positive tone: your salmon pasta looks amazingly delicious!!!
This is a magnificent recipe! I love all of the components. Do me a favor, please, when you find a decent tripod will you share what you purchase? I really hate mine as well. And it's flimsy
We must go to the same grocery store cos I get that all the time, especially at the seafood and meat departments! This dish could be my new favorite because SALMON!!! I've never made it in a pasta dish but that's about to change right now with your recipe. Love that you added sriracha in the sauce too 🙂
I hate to say it, but some people don't belong in a customer service job. It's not good for the customers and it's not good for business. That cashier was so incredibly rude to you. I'm glad you gave her a piece of your mind!!
What's with those people? It's almost enough to make me avoid shopping at the store but it woos me back with a large selection and good prices 🙂 You really need to give salmon and pasta try Karrie! It's so good!!
I can totally relate with receiving poor customer service (and getting good service too!). I'm getting hungry just looking at the pictures. What a delicious pasta dish.
Thao this sounds so delicious! I am loving that sauce 🙂 I can't even begin to describe my terrible grocery store experiences! I just don't get it sometimes!
Omg yes! There's a checker at Safeway who's so surly I'd rather wait in someone else's line than go right through hers. I always want tell her that life's not as bad as she thinks it is but I doubt if that would go over well. But then there's this other checker who is basically my best friend. She's the sweetest little lady and always asks how I'm doing, what I'm baking. I adore her and wish I could figure out her schedule so I can only ever shop when she's working. OK, longest comment ever.
This pasta sounds wonderful. Salmon is my favorite fish so I'll have to try this soon!
Hee hee. I love your longest comment! I think it's a personality thing. We shouldn't take things personally from the surly ones because they are probably rude to everybody. I try to avoid getting into their lines as well. And the real sweet ones, like the one at your store, I truly want to invite them over for dinner 🙂
OOOOO I love this recipe Thao. I am always on board for easy quick and feel good foods. Especially on weekdays. My son is a huge fan of salmon so he will absolutely love this dish.
Mimi-I got a BC Master Camera Tripod Dslr, 75-inch Tall. It's not very expensive. Just used it yesterday and it worked great! Let me know if you are interested in more details1 🙂
Oooh, that salmon looks so yummy! I love tossing it with pasta and your red pepper sauce sounds on point. As for that cashier, I will say that I do survey the checkouts at my local store and there are couple people I avoid if I can.
Thank you Annemarie! This is a great little pasta dish. It's too bad that we feel the need to avoid certain checkout lines. It's bad for business, and the store managers need to be more cognizant of it.
I was looking for another way to cook salmon. So I Googled salmon recipes and this popped up. OMG!!! Can I just let you know how AMAZING it turned out? So full of flavor. I followed the recipe step by step. My daughter said it reminded her of a meal she had at Legal Seafood. Imagine that! �� I have definitely add this to my recipe book and will make over and over again. Thanks for sharing!
It's been a sad day because I'm truly mourning Anthony Bourdain's death. Thank you for lightening my day with your comment! I'm so thrilled you enjoyed the dish! And what a compliment that your daughter compared it to Legal Seafood!! I'm so glad you stopped by!! ????
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I have had that thought so many times, about people who think they are doing you a favor when performing their job. Not as much in Germany where I live now, but in my home country, Romania. The worst was when I wanted to buy a chocolate (and was 6 months and very obviously pregnant) and the cashier started screaming at me because the chocolate didn't have a price tag, how on Earth is she supposed to know all the prices and why do I have to pick that chocolate, if it doesn't have a price tag? I have never screamed at a stranger so loud in my whole life… I totally lost it!!! But on a more positive tone: your salmon pasta looks amazingly delicious!!!
This is a magnificent recipe! I love all of the components. Do me a favor, please, when you find a decent tripod will you share what you purchase? I really hate mine as well. And it's flimsy
We must go to the same grocery store cos I get that all the time, especially at the seafood and meat departments! This dish could be my new favorite because SALMON!!! I've never made it in a pasta dish but that's about to change right now with your recipe. Love that you added sriracha in the sauce too 🙂
I hate to say it, but some people don't belong in a customer service job. It's not good for the customers and it's not good for business. That cashier was so incredibly rude to you. I'm glad you gave her a piece of your mind!!
Thank you mimi! I ordered my tripod and definitely let you know how I like it after I test it out. Wish me luck!
What's with those people? It's almost enough to make me avoid shopping at the store but it woos me back with a large selection and good prices 🙂 You really need to give salmon and pasta try Karrie! It's so good!!
ahhh yum!!! i'm most familiar with smoked salmon in my pasta, but pan-seared salmon also sounds super tasty (: especially with all that creamy sauce!
I can totally relate with receiving poor customer service (and getting good service too!). I'm getting hungry just looking at the pictures. What a delicious pasta dish.
Thao this sounds so delicious! I am loving that sauce 🙂 I can't even begin to describe my terrible grocery store experiences! I just don't get it sometimes!
Omg yes! There's a checker at Safeway who's so surly I'd rather wait in someone else's line than go right through hers. I always want tell her that life's not as bad as she thinks it is but I doubt if that would go over well. But then there's this other checker who is basically my best friend. She's the sweetest little lady and always asks how I'm doing, what I'm baking. I adore her and wish I could figure out her schedule so I can only ever shop when she's working. OK, longest comment ever.
This pasta sounds wonderful. Salmon is my favorite fish so I'll have to try this soon!
This recette is so stunning! The combination of salmon, red peppers and cream sounds so juicy! 🙂
And I've never had smoked salmon in my pasta, so I'll need to give it a try! ????
Thank you Marie! And as far as customer service we can only hope that we get a whole lot more good customer service than bad 🙂
I guess we all have had our fair share of those! Maybe better training would help…
Hee hee. I love your longest comment! I think it's a personality thing. We shouldn't take things personally from the surly ones because they are probably rude to everybody. I try to avoid getting into their lines as well. And the real sweet ones, like the one at your store, I truly want to invite them over for dinner 🙂
Thank you! It is a delightful combination.
OOOOO I love this recipe Thao. I am always on board for easy quick and feel good foods. Especially on weekdays. My son is a huge fan of salmon so he will absolutely love this dish.
Mimi-I got a BC Master Camera Tripod Dslr, 75-inch Tall. It's not very expensive. Just used it yesterday and it worked great! Let me know if you are interested in more details1 🙂
We can't ever have too many quick and easy recipes up our sleeves, right? I'm so glad this one, Ashika!
I would follow it with the frozen hot chocolate.
I like how you think!! ????
Oooh, that salmon looks so yummy! I love tossing it with pasta and your red pepper sauce sounds on point. As for that cashier, I will say that I do survey the checkouts at my local store and there are couple people I avoid if I can.
Thank you Annemarie! This is a great little pasta dish. It's too bad that we feel the need to avoid certain checkout lines. It's bad for business, and the store managers need to be more cognizant of it.
I was looking for another way to cook salmon. So I Googled salmon recipes and this popped up. OMG!!! Can I just let you know how AMAZING it turned out? So full of flavor. I followed the recipe step by step. My daughter said it reminded her of a meal she had at Legal Seafood. Imagine that! �� I have definitely add this to my recipe book and will make over and over again. Thanks for sharing!
It's been a sad day because I'm truly mourning Anthony Bourdain's death. Thank you for lightening my day with your comment! I'm so thrilled you enjoyed the dish! And what a compliment that your daughter compared it to Legal Seafood!! I'm so glad you stopped by!! ????
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