Creamy Salmon & Asparagus Pasta

This Creamy Salmon & Asparagus Pasta is the perfect pick-me-up after a long day. Don’t let the “creamy” part fool you, though—this dish is anything but heavy. A light and bright lemon cream sauce creates a dreamy coating for the fiber-rich pasta, asparagus and simply seasoned heart-healthy salmon. Italian seasoning provides a wisp of herby undertones, while garlic adds its mellow-spicy bite. Briny Parmesan cheese balances the dish, and a sprinkling of grassy dill adds final flair. This dish comes together quickly and is a great weeknight dinner. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to save time in the kitchen.  

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Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• We suggest using skinless salmon, so a crust develops on the flesh rather than on the skin that you’ll likely be tossing out. The crust will add delicious flavor to the pasta.
• Make sure the pan and oil are nice and hot before adding the skinless salmon. This will help prevent it from tearing when you flip it. A fish spatula can also help. 
• Evaporated milk adds a nice creaminess and subtle sweetness to the pasta. If you don’t have evaporated milk, you can substitute it with ⅔ cup whole milk.
• We find that a flat whisk is useful for making creamy sauces like this because it flattens against the skillet, allowing you to easily incorporate the ingredients into the sauce.

Nutrition Notes

• Salmon is a great source of protein that’s also loaded with heart- and brain-healthy omega-3s and vitamin B12. If you choose sockeye salmon, you’ll even get some vitamin D. The antioxidant astaxanthin in salmon will help reduce inflammation, which is one of the root causes of most diseases.
• Asparagus may make your pee stink, but its health benefits are worth it. Asparagus is good for making sure your blood properly clots, thanks to its vitamin K. It’s also been associated with fighting cancer and supporting a healthier brain. If you’re feeling like you’re retaining water, asparagus might help flush it out of your body.
• Whole-wheat pasta adds fiber and antioxidants to this dish. If you don’t have or don’t like whole-wheat pasta, simply swap it for white pasta or another pasta of your choice. Even white pasta will still add some gut-loving fiber and help fill you up.
• Parmesan cheese doesn’t add a whole lot of nutrition to this dish because you’re not getting a lot of it per serving. But it does toss in some calcium and protein. It’s also relatively high in salt, so if your body is sensitive to sodium, consider reducing the amount of salt you add to this dish to make up for the saltiness of the Parm.