The 6 Best Pasta Side Dishes for Salmon!
Healthy and full of flavour, salmon is one of those meals that I turn to at least once a week.
Whether you want something quick and easy after a busy day at work, or you want something a little more special for when you have guests, this fish is beautifully versatile.
A tasty way to turn a piece of salmon into a satisfying dinner is by making a pasta side dish.
Just grill or pan fry your fish, prepare your pasta, and you’re ready to go. From rich and creamy sauces, to sunny Mediterranean inspired sauces crammed full of wholesome veggies, there’s something for even the pickiest of eaters.
What are the best pasta side dishes for salmon?
You can make a wide variety of appetising meals by choosing from the best pasta side dishes for salmon. Some tempting options are pasta in vodka sauce, pesto pasta, creamy garlic pasta, chilli prawn linguine, spaghetti with mussels and tomato sauce, and creamy pasta with broccoli, peas, and lemon.
Like the sound of these recipes? Read on to get the full details!
1. Pasta in vodka sauce
The first time I tried pasta in vodka sauce, I wasn’t entirely convinced that I was going to like it.
After all, it does sound a little strange! I’m now a total convert though since I discovered just how absolutely delicious it really is.
It takes just 20 minutes to cook, and it’s got a pleasant spicy kick.
If you don’t love vodka, don’t worry as it really doesn’t taste of alcohol.
It simply adds a depth to the sauce, and a wonderful creaminess to the texture that allows the ingredients like lemon, tomato, and chilli really sing.
Served with fillet of salmon, it’s a classic dinner that will be a hit amongst friends.
2. Pesto pasta
If you love having a quick and easy dinner up your sleeve, this pesto pasta recipe is likely to become one of your firm favourites for serving with salmon.
Even if you’re super short on time, try making your pesto from scratch.
It’s a hundred times better from what you’ll find in the supermarket (even the fancy stuff with the high price tag!), and you need just a small amount of ingredients.
You’ll need pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic, basil, parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and seasoning.
Once you realise how easy it is to make, you’ll probably want to make sure that you regularly have a jar in the fridge.
It’s so handy for stirring into pasta, spooning over salads, and adding to grilled meats.
For a little more meal planning inspiration, be sure to check out my guide to what to serve with pesto pasta. You’ll discover some lovely ideas for extra side dishes for your salmon meal, including bruschetta and colourful salads.
3. Creamy garlic pasta
This creamy garlic pasta is a restaurant quality dish that you can make in your own kitchen in just 20 minutes.
Luxurious ingredients like butter, cheese, and cream come together to make this sauce an indulgent treat, and the fresh garlic adds plenty of zing.
If you don’t have any fresh garlic to hand, you could substitute for garlic powder, though do keep in mind that the flavour will be more subtle, so you’ll need to taste test during the cooking process to get it exactly how you like it.
My top meal planning tip here is to make up an extra portion and keep it for the next day.
It can be enjoyed at lunchtime with a green salad for extra nutrition, or you can add other proteins such as prawns, sausage, or chicken.
4. Chilli prawn linguine
If you adore seafood and just can’t get enough of it, one of the best pasta side dishes for salmon is this chilli prawn linguine.
It’s ideal for midweek entertaining, and it’s the kind of dish that’s perfect on a summer evening with a chilled glass or two of white wine.
Add crusty bread and salad leaves to the middle of the table, for sharing. So good!
5. Spaghetti with mussels and tomato sauce
Here’s another great choice of pasta side dishes for salmon for the seafood lovers.
Spaghetti with mussels and tomato sauce is salty, herby from the addition of basil, thyme, and garlic, and it’s the kind of dish that you’d be served up in a classic Italian restaurant on the Amalfi coast.
Preparing mussels can feel like a daunting task if you’ve never attempted it before, though it’s a great kitchen skill to have and it’ll serve you well for dinner parties for many years into the future.
6. Creamy pasta with broccoli, peas, and lemon
Let’s finish up our collection of pasta side dishes for salmon with this beautiful creamy pasta with broccoli, peas, and lemon!
A few savvy substitutes makes this recipe as healthy as possible.
Wholewheat pasta is used for an extra serving of fibre, and making the sauce with reduced fat creme fraiche helps to ensure that the calorie count doesn’t get out of hand.
It also has a decent serving of green veggies, which so many of us could do with a little more of!
With this one, I like to flake my salmon into bitesized chunks, and gently stir through the pasta so it gets coated in that lovely cream sauce.
Of course though, if you’d prefer, you can simply serve your salmon in one piece on the side of the plate or on top of a big bowl of the pasta.
Pasta side dishes for salmon
A piece of simply grilled or pan fried salmon can be transformed into an impressive meal with the addition of a pasta side dish. Whether you like rich and creamy sauces or something light and healthy, you’ve got plenty of yummy choices! Choose from:
- Pasta in vodka sauce
- Pesto pasta
- Creamy garlic pasta
- Chilli prawn linguine
- Spaghetti with mussels and tomato sauce
- Creamy pasta with broccoli, peas, and lemon
Before you go, why not take a look at the best pasta side dishes for steak?
