Go Back
A bowl of easy salmon pasta dinner, garnished with fresh herbs.

Lemony Herb Salmon and Asparagus Pasta

This light and flavorful pasta dish combines tender salmon, crisp asparagus, and a vibrant lemon-herb sauce for a perfect weeknight meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Medium skillet
  • Fork

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 8 ounces short pasta (e.g., penne, fusilli, farfalle) about 225g

Salmon & Asparagus

  • 4-6 ounces fresh salmon fillet, skin removed about 115-170g
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for salmon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces about 1 pound/450g

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for pasta and sauce
  • 2 garlic, minced cloves
  • 1 lemon zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 lemon juice of 1 lemon (about 1-2 tablespoons)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped optional, but recommended for flavor
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
  • 1/4 cup pasta water reserved

Instructions
 

Cooking the Pasta

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions in salted boiling water. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.

Preparing the Salmon

  • Pat the salmon fillet dry, season with salt and pepper. Cook in a skillet with olive oil for 3-5 minutes per side until cooked through. Flake the salmon into bite-sized pieces after it cools slightly.

Sautéing the Asparagus

  • Sauté the trimmed asparagus in the same skillet for 3-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove and set aside.

Creating the Sauce

  • Reduce heat, then add olive oil and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the garlic and oil.

Combining Ingredients

  • Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped parsley, and dill. Add the flaked salmon, asparagus, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Toss gently to combine.

Finishing Touches

  • If the pasta is dry, gradually add reserved pasta water until a light sauce coats the pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then serve immediately with extra Parmesan.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes a significant difference in taste compared to pre-grated. Don't overcook the salmon or asparagus to maintain their best texture and flavor.