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    Home » Pasta » Crème Fraîche Pasta Recipes

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 13, 2020, updated February 16, 2021 - 16 Comments

    Total time: 15 minutes minutes
    Prep time: 5 minutes minutes
    5 from 12 votes
    Jump to Recipe
    SALMON CRÈME FRAÎCHE PASTA - pin image

    Done in 15 minutes & crazy delicious this salmon crème fraîche pasta with lemon and chives is a true weeknight winner. Made with fresh or frozen salmon, crème fraîche makes it a bit lighter - for a summery pasta you'll love having year round.

    a pan full of salmon creme fraiche pasta with chives in the background

    Why you will love this recipe

    • One pan makes cleanup easy, and keeps all the salmon flavor in the sauce
    • Super quick and the sauce is done in the time it takes you to cook the pasta
    • Silky yet light thanks to the combination of crème fraîche and cream
    • Loads of lemon flavor from lemon zest & lemon pepper
    • So much summer flavor thanks to the combo of lemon & chives

    What you need to make it

    ingredients needed to make crème fraîche salmon pasta

    Ingredient notes

    • Salmon can be either fresh or thawed from frozen
    • Pasta - I like fusilli as it really "grabs" the sauce, but any kind works
    • Butter - I use salted butter, add an extra pinch of salt if using unsalted

    Ingredient substitutions

    • Salmon filet can be switched for smoked salmon, but then don't add any salt until after tasting the finished dish
    • Butter can be swapped for vegetable oil
    • Shallots can be swapped for red or yellow onion, or leeks
    • Cream can be substituted for milk or the same amount of crème fraîche
    • Crème fraîche can be switched for the same amount of cream, but then add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per 2 dl / 1 cup of added cream as well

    How to make it

    Start by cutting your salmon into bite-size cubes, zesting your lemon, and chopping your shallots and chives. Then get your pasta cooking.

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    process collage showing how to fry shallots in butter
    1. Place a pan over medium-high heat and add in the butter
    2. Allow to melt
    3. Add in the chopped shallots
    4. Fry for about 2 minutes, until softened
    process collage showing how to season and fry salmon cubes
    1. Add in the salmon cubes
    2. Add lemon pepper
    3. Add salt
    4. Add ground black pepper
    process collage showing how to fry salmon cubes and add creme fraiche and cream to make a sauce
    1. Mix well
    2. Sear salmon until it has a nice color on all sides and is cooked almost through
    3. Add the crème fraîche
    4. Add the cream and mix well. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 2 minutes.
    process collage showing how to add lemon zest, chives and pasta to salmon creme fraiche pasta sauce
    1. Add lemon zest, mix, and simmer for another minute
    2. Turn off the heat and mix in the chives
    3. Mix in the pasta
    4. Serve your delicious salmon crème fraîche pasta!
    a spoonful of salmon creme fraiche pasta on top of a pan full, with chives anda  lemon on a chopping board in the background

    Tips & tricks

    • Don't overcook the salmon- it continues cooking while the sauce simmers so it shouldn't be done after searing
    • Skip the simmering to save time - it adds flavor but isn't necessary
    • Or let it simmer for longer if you have the time - to add even more flavor
    • Store leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge
    • Freeze leftovers to save them for longer

    Recipe FAQ

    What salmon should I use?

    You can use both fresh salmon filets and salmon filet that's been thawed from frozen. You could also use smoked salmon instead, both cold smoked and hot smoked will be delicious in this dish - just don't add any salt until you've tasted the finished dish.

    What can I use instead of crème fraîche?

    Instead of crème fraîche you can use only cream, but then add some lemon juice (1 tablespoon per 2 dl / 1 cup of added cream) as well to get some acidity in there.

    Do I have to use both crème fraîche and cream?

    No - you can also use just one or the other. But see the tip above if you are making this with just cream.

    top down image of a pan full of salmon creme fraiche pasta with a wooden spoon, and a chopping board with chives, a lemon and lemon pepper next to it

    More great crème fraîche pastas

    I love crème fraiche pasta sauces so it's no wonder I have several more recipes. All of them can also be made with cream instead of crème fraîche. My favorites are:

    • Crème Fraîche Chicken Pasta with Feta Cheese and Basil
    • Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta with Crème Fraîche
    • Smoked Salmon Spinach Pasta with Crème Fraiche
    • 15-minute Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
    ...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.

    Recipe

    side view of a pan full of salmon creme fraiche pasta with a wooden spoon

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    5 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Northern European
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 651kcal
    Prep time: 5 minutes mins
    Cook time: 10 minutes mins
    Total time: 15 minutes minutes
    Author: Emmeline Kemperyd
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • ⅔ lb pasta cooked according to package instruction
    • 2 tablespoon salted butter or unsalted + a pinch of salt
    • 2 shallots finely chopped
    • 1 lb salmon filet cut in cubes
    • ½ tablespoon lemon pepper
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 cups crème fraîche
    • ½ cups cream
    • ½ lemon zest only
    • 3 tablespoon chives chopped
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Heat a pan over medium high heat and add in the butter. When melted, follow with the chopped shallots. Fry for about 2 minutes, until softened.
      2 tablespoon salted butter, 2 shallots
    • Add in the cubed salmon and season with lemon pepper, salt and ground black pepper. Mix and fry for 2-3 minutes, until the salmon has a nice sear on all sides and is cooked almost through.
      1 lb salmon filet, ½ tablespoon lemon pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • Add in the crème fraîche and cream and mix. Simmer for 2 minutes.
      1 cups crème fraîche, ½ cups cream
    • Add in the lemon zest, mix, and simmer for another minute.
      ½ lemon
    • Turn off the heat and mix in the chopped chives. Then mix in the cooked pasta. Mix well and serve!
      3 tablespoon chives, ⅔ lb pasta

    Equipment (may contain affiliate links)

    • Chopping board*
    • Kitchen knife*
    • Lemon zester*
    • Skillet or frying pan*
    • Pasta pot*
    • Spatula*

    Video

    Notes

     

    Ingredient notes

    • Salmon can be either fresh or thawed from frozen
    • Pasta - I like fusilli as it really "grabs" the sauce, but any kind works
    • Butter - I use salted butter, add an extra pinch of salt if using unsalted
     

    Ingredient substitutions

    • Salmon filet can be switched for smoked salmon, but then don't add any salt until after tasting the finished dish
    • Butter can be swapped for vegetable oil
    • Shallots can be swapped for red or yellow onion, or leeks
    • Cream can be substituted for milk or the same amount of crème fraîche
    • Crème fraîche can be switched for the same amount of cream, but then add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per 2 dl / 1 cup of added cream as well
     

    Tips & tricks

    • Don't overcook the salmon- it continues cooking while the sauce simmers so it shouldn't be done after searing
    • Skip the simmering to save time - it adds flavor but isn't necessary
    • Or let it simmer for longer if you have the time - to add even more flavor
    • Store leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge
    • Freeze leftovers to save them for longer

    Nutrition

    Calories: 651kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 441mg | Potassium: 806mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 994IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.

    Did you make this? Tag me today!Tag @alwaysusebutter and use the hashtag #alwaysusebutter!

    More Crème Fraîche Pasta Recipes

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      Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
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      Marry Me Chicken Pasta
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      Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta with Crème Fraîche
    • salmon spinach pasta in a pan.
      Smoked Salmon Pasta with Spinach & Lemon

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brian

      December 31, 2024 at 3:42 am

      5 stars
      Simple and really tasty. I used red onion instead of shallots, but still delicious.

      Reply
    2. Kristin

      April 25, 2021 at 3:30 am

      5 stars
      Delicious! This dish was a big hit! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        April 26, 2021 at 7:24 am

        Thank you Kristin! So happy you enjoyed it!

        Reply
      • Anya

        March 18, 2023 at 8:04 pm

        5 stars
        This salmon creme fraiche pasta was so yummy and so quick & easy to make! I made this with gluten free pasta for myself and regular pasta for my boyfriend, we both LOVED it. Also 30g+ of protein makes it an excellent healthy post workout dinner!!

        Reply
    3. Jessica Formicola

      September 14, 2020 at 8:59 pm

      5 stars
      We had this pasta for dinner last night and it was incredible! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        September 15, 2020 at 10:08 am

        So happy you enjoyed it, Jessica! Thanks for coming back and leaving a rating.

        Reply
        • Chloe

          April 30, 2025 at 11:41 pm

          Hi
          Looks great! Would it be okay to swap from fresh or frozen salmon to canned salmon?.thank you

          Reply
          • Emmeline Kemperyd

            May 05, 2025 at 8:42 am

            Hi Chloe, I haven't tried it myself but I think it can work! Try it and let me know how it turns out 🙂 /Emmeline

            Reply
    4. Carrie Robinson

      September 14, 2020 at 8:48 pm

      5 stars
      Oooooo... now this is right up my alley! Definitely adding this to my weekly dinner rotation soon. 🙂

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        September 15, 2020 at 10:08 am

        Sounds like a great idea!

        Reply
    5. Maria San Juan

      September 14, 2020 at 8:26 pm

      5 stars
      Just when I thought that I've ran out of pasta recipes this Salmon Creme Fraiche Pasta recipe of yours just came up. I will definitely try this for dinner!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        September 15, 2020 at 10:09 am

        Haha, I know the feeling - sometimes I think I've made every type of pasta there is but nope - there's always new versions to discover or create!

        Reply
    6. Jordin

      September 14, 2020 at 8:24 pm

      5 stars
      This pasta dish looks so delicious and easy to make! I can't wait to give this recipe a try, I know the fam is going to love it!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        September 15, 2020 at 10:09 am

        Let me know how it turns out, Jordin!

        Reply
    7. Beth Sachs

      September 14, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      5 stars
      I love quick and easy pasta recipes like this. Such a great flavour combination.

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        September 15, 2020 at 10:09 am

        Thank you, Beth! Same here!

        Reply
    5 from 12 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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