I’m crazy about pasta. And I’m crazy about salmon. So it makes sense that I’m crazy about this Salmon Pasta recipe. This is a whole wheat penne pasta tossed with fresh salmon, peas, shallots, a light cream sauce and Parmesan cheese.
My never-ending quest to be healthy and feel great means I’m making small changes this year in my eating habits. So far so good… I’m cutting down on sugar, eating more fruits and vegetables, and subbing healthy grains like quinoa for white rice. As far as I’m concerned, those are some positive, healthy changes.
There is nothing my family loves more than a rich and creamy pasta recipe. I lightened this one up a bit with a lighter cream sauce, and I used the whole wheat pasta to make it healthier overall. I like to use noodles that have a hole in them (like this penne) because the sauce can make its way into the center of the noodle, and that just makes the dish just a little more delicious!
I expected my family to say something about the pasta… that it was weird or healthy-tasting or “not normal.” I didn’t hear a peep. They loved the pasta- whole grain and all, ate every last bite, and fought over the leftovers! I’d say that’s a little victory!
Here are a few more salmon recipes you might enjoy:
- Salmon BLT Sandwiches by Recipe Girl
- Pistachio Lime Baked Salmon by Reluctant Entertainer
- Barbecued Salmon by Recipe Girl
- Salmon Ravioli by The Italian Dish
Salmon Pasta
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces salmon, skin removed and cut into 2-inch strips
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
- more Parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions (sometimes whole wheat pasta takes a little longer to become tender). Drain and set aside.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium- high heat. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add the shallots, salmon and peas. Stir and cook until salmon is cooked through and shallots are tender.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and stir until lightly browned. Slowly mix in the milk and cream. Continue to stir over heat until it begins to boil and thicken slightly. Remove from heat, add the Parmesan, salt and pepper (to taste), and stir until cheese is melted into the sauce.
- Add the pasta and sauce to the pan with the salmon. Turn heat to medium and stir the mixture together. Heat until all is warmed up. Divide between four bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan (if desired) and additional salt and pepper, as needed.
Hi, I made this last night (9/16). It was a hit: delicious. I especially liked the added flavor of the peas.
I have made this recipe a few time now and we love it. It is my son’s favorite way to eat salmon.
Having an awesome stroganoff.
Lori, This looks delicious! I too am a huge lover of salmon and pasta and peas so can’t wait to try this recipe. I think the best approach to getting healthier is through little changes and substitutions. This year I’m focusing on eating a wider variety of fruits and vegetables to avoid my habit of getting stuck in a food rut. Thanks for this great giveaway.
My victory today was getting my grocery shopping list done and coupons all ready to go.
I’ll be making this for my husband’s birthday.
that looks delish! We love both pasta and salmon, gotta try this this week!
I love that I can find so many healthy choices at Fry’s (west Krogers), especially since we have gone gluten-free and are working at being dairy free. I struggle with serious bronchial asthma and frequent set backs so this has been challenging. I’ve made a switch to things like coconut oil, learned to make gluten-free flour and breads, waffles and even a pot pie so I’m starting to find confidence. Unfortunately, I really need some kitchen equipment to make it easier and more successful so I’m searching for ways to accomplish this on a very tight budget. Thank you for the opportunity and the recipes.
Those are a lot of great, positive changes. Yay you!
My little victory today was cleaning out and reorganizing my spices! Old stuff GONE, and everything else easy to find.
Nice sounding recipe. Thanks for the chance to win the amazing prizes.
I stopped eating any kind of sugar!
I choose raw carrots as a snack instead of chips. I wanted a crunchy snack and it worked great.
Neat! I’m always looking for recipes for frozen salmon other than chowder.
I’m trying to drink almond milk instead of cows milk this year.
My victory today will be making a home cooked meal for my busy family!
I adore whole wheat pasta. I’m loving the addition of salmon. It never occurred to me to mix it with pasta. Yum! Pinned.
When we got our six month old Doberman puppy I pledged to wake up early and take him for a run every work day. I am proud to say I met my goal this week!
My victory for today was doing my grocery shopping with my 3 year old and having a crockpot meal for dinner!
Yum! This looks so good. I’m a salmon and pasta lover, too, so finding this recipe was my victory for today 🙂
Mmmmm
I used to drink daily and haven’t had any for 25 days!
This looks great!
This looks delicious! I’ll have to try making it for my family soon. The giveaway is awesome!
My family is in the process of switching to a no dairy, no gluten lifestyle. Winning would help encourage me in this big change!
Those all sound like great changes, Lori! This pasta looks so comforting…and easy.
looks so yummy and healthy! perfect hump day meal!
Love the Kitchen Aid!
this recipe looks great! I have always been skeptical about whole wheat pasta, you have inspired me to try it. 🙂
Yum!
I worked out even though I had no patience and was beyond tired! Go me!
Perfect. I love pasta, I love salmon, I love peas!!! There goes my new years resolution to eat less grain…
Looks great! I am always in search of new ways to incorporate more fish into my meal plan.
Sounds delicious! I’m always looking for tasty looking healthy foods. Because of health issues that arose a year ago I’ve had to change my eating habits and incorporate my daughters taste buds so meals can be a little tricky. But this looks like it would work out phenomenally! Look forward to more healthy recipes!
Laundry done…well mostly! lol
My husband is gone this week for work, so I did bath and bedtime with our daughter (normally his routine)!
My little victory for today is having a couple loaves of bread baked for my fiancee, and still having time to run out to a book signing that I wanted to go to.
Thank you for everything you do! I love your delicious and practical recipes that you share :). My little victory was avoiding the pizza line at lunch today. It looked sooo good too
My little victory today was getting past a very bad headache without using Tylenol or Advil. I drank hot decaf tea, and used instead an acupuncture type technique I read about on the internet. It involves pushing your thumb hard against the skin area between your eyebrows, upper nose area. You’re suppose to only have to press for about 30 seconds, but what worked for me was to lean my head where my face was pointing down like one would do if they were looking for a missing pin on the floor. Then I had to press my thumb in that area for about two minutes. It worked though and seemed to open up my sinuses where I could use a facial tissue and get some relief. Seems my headache must have been sinus related. The hot decaf tea seemed to also help keep things opened up. So, I didn’t have to resort to over the counter meds, which I am trying to use less and less. So that was a little victory for me today.
I finished reading some papers 🙂
My little victory for today is that I just made potato soup, a salad, and cookies for a friend that was just discharged from the hospital.
Yum! I think that’s a great way to start a new healthier way of eating. I’m going to see what my family things about whole wheat pasta.
Recipe looks great..plan to try it. I love Kroger…when I go visit my parents in Mississippi I drive 28 miles for the good grocery shopping at Kroger!!
I haven’t tried whole wheat pasta. Great to know the family didn’t notice! My small victory today is that I already had dinner planned when I woke up!
My little victory was waking up before everyone to have my coffee
Looks delicious! I’ll be trying it, thanks!
Working out for 30 minutes and making Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies with applesauce instead of butter or oil.
Hey this is great, I love thinking of little victories and making them the focus not restrictions and can’t s
Loving the little victories idea, my first little victory is drinking more water every day. And my second is always choosing a low-fat/fat free version of pretty much anything I need to buy, and attempting to sub greek yogurt for more things this year in recipes!
Surviving the cold this morning!
I love the idea of little victories. So often New Year’s Resolutions are so big that they become unobtainable. Just giving yourself a little “hey, we’re gonna try this out because we love ourselves” is so much more effective than any post-new-year gym class could be 🙂
Drinking more water, although I thought I was already drinking a lot of water! Amazing “giveaway” – thanks for this opportunity.
That pasta looks fantastic! And I agree with you about making incremental changes. Easiest way. Little victories…ah…how about having an idea in the morning for what dinner will be today, so no mad rush at 5 p.m.!
This looks so good! I love Kroger products, too:) My little victory this week has been skipping dessert…I miss it!
This looks so tasty! I am always looking for new inspiration for salmon and this dish is now on my list!
Lori I’m loving this salmon pasta!! Looks delicious!
I got up at 5am for some me time.
I love that you lightened the sauce and swapped out the pasta for whole wheat and your family didn’t even notice.
Itching to try the Magic Bullet!
Made homemade soup !!!!
I’ve been eating more vegies. I want to try the Kroger’s whole wheat pasta!
Nope…it’s been a no go so far this year.
My victory for today was starting to training for running a 5K again. I had got myself to running a 5K last spring, but then once summer hit I stopped running. Now, I’ve started again and I hope to not quit like I did last time.
I’ve got a horrible cold, but I did lots of walking and water drinking anyway. Trying to be healthy.
I have been fairly successful at reducing sugar usage. Even fairly successful is a victory for me!!!
I got an unexpected surprise in the mail today! 🙂
My little victory was doing my strength training today.
I ate salmon today and went running!! woot woot!! and I love this pasta!
Stayed on track with my nutrition goals which was hard to do while at the grocery store and feeling famished 🙂 🙂 awesome giveaway!
sounds great!
Making a healthy dinner.
When I have a good feeling moment. Doesn’t matter when or why, just something that happens and I feel good.
Salmon goes so well with pasta! This looks great 🙂
I got up and exercised to get the day started!
I shop regularly at Kroger and enjoy lots of their products! Good luck with your new partnership. 🙂
I love working in the kitchen — would love these prizes!
I tried a new recipe today for ribs…..
My victory of the day was I woke up and the weather was nice! Its been freezing here.
Looks great – does it freeze well?
This sounds yummy. I started using whole wheat pasta last year and my family finally likes it!!
Changed my recipe file to include many more lower fat and carbs dishes and more healthy meals.
My liitle victory today is not having any medical bills in the mail!
This would be a hit with my family!
The recipe looks so good! I love Kroger.
I wish my family was as non-picky as yours! My little victory is actually making lunch…instead of the usual sandwiches, my three little boys and I ate tomato basil ravioli soup today.
No victories yet lol..but I’ll keep trying 🙂
My little victory was choosing water over pop today.
Yummy, I am ready to try this recipe!
My little victory today is starting up my running again. Granted, it was only for 20 minutes after weight training… But still, better some cardio in than nothing!
Love everything about this recipe. Can’t wait to make it!
My victories are drinking more water and being more consistent with getting on the treadmill for an hour each day.
I’m using more whole wheat and testing out other nut butters that aren’t peanut.
My healthy victory I guess would be since I’ve been under the weather these past 2 weeks I haven’t eaten anything fried this year lol
Wonderful looking recipe. I only buy whole wheat pasta. I will definitely try this one! Thank you! My victory is that I’m sipping on a green smoothie this morning.
This looks good. I love Korger.
Looks yummy!!
Eating a healthy homemade breakfast!
I’m always hesitant about fish and pasta, but this looks delicious!
I have cut way back on sodas. Trying to drink more water. We are eating more fruits and vegetables. We love pasta and this looks yummy.
I’ll try it tomorrow!
Had my lunch all ready this morning. Trying stay away from “take out”.
Sounds delicious!
My little victory today was waking up!!!!
A restaurant I go to has an awesome salmon pasta, so now I can use this at home!!
My victory is small bites, chewed slowly and well. Thinking about what I’m eating.
We have been eating more wild rice and quinoa, and I just picked up 3
packages of whole wheat pasta. I’m going to try this recipe this week!
My little victory was getting out of bed this morning and doing my stretches without pain!
Love your blog and love your recipes.
This pasta looks great.I would have to use GF pasta
though.
My little victory today is taking the dogs for their walk,
and the weather is very foggy and dark,so,I would rather
stay inside~But,on my way. 🙂
I made it to 5:30am yoga!
My little victory for today is that I did a decent “Down Facing Dog” in Yoga class
This sounds delicious. Thanks
Kale and turkey sausage soup was a success!
I’m starting to work out more and avoiding too much sugar. It’s all about eating a balanced diet.
I got up earlier today to workout and have stopped drinking soda.
Looks so good! Definitely will make this!
Going to the gym and packing a healthy lunch!
My victory is packing a healthy lunch today instead of eating out.
Salmon is a family favorite and this one sounds really fantastic! The ingredients are on my shopping list.
I get a past due notice on my City property taxes with a penalty. I sent a note pointing out that I had not gotten the original bill and I typically paid on time. Got a note this morning that they can waive the penalty one time and this was being done!!
$35 is a nice victory.
My little victory for today is not getting stressed, and just breathing. I need to slow down and stress less.
I’ll keep looking for the Twitter URL to share. That will be my little victory. Thank you for all the great recipes….they are regular in our home.
This year I’m eating more food in it’s natural state. More lentils, veges, fruits, and Nancy’s brand honey yogurt (not sweet and it’s the best local in the pnw and you find it in Fred Meyer’s (Kroger) natural foods section). With the addition of more brisk walking, victory awaits….
This sounds good!
YUM!!! My little victory is getting up at 5:45 am each morning to workout!
My little victory today is I got up early and in office before 8Am.
I was able to get one more closet cleaned out
My victory is that I have begun working out again!
The fact that I actually made a menu for the whole week!
I already have the menu ready to go. We are having Salmon tonight. Instead of pasta, I am serving asparagus and a baked potato.
I added spinach to my eggs for breakfast. I’m trying to get veggies in at every meal.
I’ve quit the pop! I’m drinking water all the time and with my meals. Thought it would be difficult but it’s not. Actually I feel more refreshed with it and not weighed down.
I’m also walking and it’s becoming part of who I am. My two daughters ( 19 & 21) are really encouraging and are very health oriented. Here’s to a healthier and lighter new year for all of us! ????
It’s still early today, so my little victories for yesterday were taking a walk with my dog and making a healthy meal for dinner.
This looks delicious. Saving it for dinner soon!
I ALMOST had a cookie for breakfast this morning – and instead made myself egg whites and spinach!
We love salmon too but never think to add it to a pasta dish. Thanks for chance in the giveaway!
Meeting some deadlines and getting in a workout! And my 4 1/2 year old may love salmon as much as he loves pasta, so this is a meal for him!
This recipe looks so delicious!
The meal plan is in full effect at our house this week!!
Awesome site and awesome give-away!
My little win today was getting up and exercising first thing in the morning.
My victory is making it until almost 9am before my first cup of coffee!
This pasta looks delicious!
Love the idea of starting the year with a healthy and delicious pasta recipe.thank you
My little victory? Being able to sit up without feeling sick from the flu.
We love salmon so I’ll have to give this recipe a try.
I can’t eat fish or seafood but this does look good and I could make it with chicken.
Would love to win!
Thanks. Can always use free food.
My victory was having all my lunches ready to go this week!
That looks like an easy but great recipe! The giveaway is great too!
I have kicked my Diet Pepsi addiction and am now drinking unsweetened Iced tea.
Looks yummy and I love Kroger! Especially their Simple Truth brand. I’ve been battling high blood pressure this last trimester of pregnancy and small victories for me is avoiding processed foods and embracing clean eating when I crave junk!
Getting my steps in even when I am working a lot!!
The main victory for the day is I woke up alive! Second, the love of God was there waiting for me
Thanks for the great recipe and the chance to win! Awesome! I’m snacking on better options this year and eating “cleaner”!
I turned down desert – that was a hard won victory for me!
Started my weight loss mission only two weeks ago and I’ve already lost three lbs! Today was weigh in day! Yay!
I had yogurt for breakfast instead of a donut!
I got my 18 month grandson to finally sit in the tub for his bath
Getting up earlier!
Taking small steps to better health…looking forward to trying this recipe.
My little victory for today is having gone to bed early last night.
Yum I love salmon. I use gluten free pasta so I’ll try it with that.
I feel good about eating a sandwich when I deconstruct it and enjoy the best parts of it but not eat the bread. It’s a little victory!!
We eat a LOT of pasta, too, and I think I will try to swap some of it for whole-grain. If I do it gradually, my sweet hubby might not even notice! Thank you for the opportunity!
Reading labels
I add flaxseed to my oatmeal
Remembered to put the chicken in the frig to defrost for dinner!
I donated a lot of pantry items, like my regular pastas, white rice, white flour and replaced them with whole grain options. If I don’t have them, I can’t use them! The salmon looks delicious, when I make it I’ll switch out the milk for 1% and the cream for 1/2 & 1/2 to lighten it up.
walking more…now to just give up sugar!
i’m ready on time
My victory today was leaving for work 10 minutes earlier than usual!
Emptying my inbox before 0800!
I’ve been working out at least 5 days per week. I’ve also cut out (much to my families disappointment) a lot of the processed, go-to meals we had fallen into the habit of eating.
Pasta looks great!
I’m adding more fruits and veggies into our diet with smoothies and fresh juices. Plan to make this tonite with gluten free penne!
started daily walking today!
started dialing walking yesterday!
I’m eating more fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, and use recipes where they are raw, or slightly blanched. I’m also a big fish lover and cannot wait to try this recipe.
YES! Love this Lori. Whole wheat pasta is the best. My little victory is always putting fruit over my breakfast cereal or oatmeal. I start the day 1 serving ahead 🙂
I started exercising, walking and doing water aerobics!
Meal planning!
This sounds like a great and easy recipe. I can’t wait to try it.
Looks scrumptious!!! 😀
I ran even though my bed way so so comfy…
This year I had my knee replaced, and i knew the only way to end my lifetime of pain was to lose weight. I am doing my own physical therapy by working out, I am determined to lose weight so I asked the doctor to help me as well (which i never thought i would do) so I now have the proper medication I am back to working out, I have cut most of the salt in my diet, i am adding a lot more fruits and vegetables. and eliminating much of the processed sugar from my diet. And I think with doing all this, I will not only make myself feel better, and to be able to walk again without the agonizing pain, but i will be able to help my family as well. I have already knocked 25lbs off my husband since december! And this will be a good showing to my son who is also struggling with his weight.
i love pasta
This salmon recipe looks YUMMY…I will be making this one!!!
I got up at 5 and exercised.
For me I’ve always been a huge soda driker. Sso much sugar. So I decided to go for it and try to gradually cut it out.I’ve. Switched to sparkling flavored water. Finfers crossed I kicked the soft drink addiction. 🙂
Carol L
My little victory was making a great pot of coffee this morning!
Having dinner prepped and ready for the crockpot.
This recipe sounds like a good one! I use whole wheat noodles all of the time. My little victory for today is that I foam rolled – something that’s easy for me to forget to do, but great for runners.