Salmon is a go-to weeknight meal around here and I love how quickly it cooks and that it can be paired with any vegetable or starch to make a healthy and delicious meal. I took one of my favorite childhood dishes, butter pasta, and gave it a delicious twist that pairs perfectly with seared salmon to make a meal that the whole family will love. Basil butter pasta is fresh, comforting, and compliments this simple pan seared salmon in the best way. You will be making this salmon and basil butter pasta dish on a weekly basis because it is so easy and tasty too.

This dinner recipe comes together in no time and from start to finish it can be on the table in under 30 minutes. You can cook your salmon a variety of ways, but I love to pan sear the salmon because it creates a beautiful caramelized outside while keeping the inside of the salmon tender and juicy. While your salmon cooks, you simply make a basil garlic butter and boil some noodles. Toss the noodles with that delicious homemade basil butter, a little pasta water, and parmesan and serve alongside those gorgeous pieces of salmon. And just like that, dinner is done and done.

Tips for creating the perfect salmon with basil butter pasta:

Don’t overcook your salmon. This will dry it out. (4-5 minutes per side should be perfect)
Use room temperature butter when mixing the basil and garlic with the butter. This will help it mix easily.
Make sure to salt your pasta water generously, it should taste like the sea.
Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining the pasta to help make a sauce with the basil butter.
Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon over salmon after cooking to brighten the flavors.
Add a bit of the basil butter on top of the salmon after it has finished cooking and let is slowly melt over top.

Variations of this recipe to try:

Use a gluten free pasta.
Instead of basil use parsley, dill, cilantro, or a combo of several fresh herbs you might have on hand.
Use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic.
Instead of salmon serve the pasta with shrimp or chicken.
instead of serving the salmon whole, feel free to break it up and mix into the pasta.
Air fry or roast the salmon instead of pan searing.

I am here to tell you that no matter when you serve this dish, the whole family is going to rave about it! It’s the best way to get kiddos to enjoy their salmon also. I cannot wait for you to give this pan seared salmon with basil butter pasta a try!

Simple Pan Seared Salmon with Basil Butter Pasta

Ingredients:

4 Pieces Sockeye Salmon or one whole filet
1 Lb. Pasta of Choice (I used rigatoni)
1 Stick Unsalted Butter, room temp
1 Clove of Garlic
1 Cup Fresh Basil
1 1/2 Tsp. Salt + Extra for salting pasta water
1 Tsp. Black Pepper
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
Red Chili Flakes (optional)
Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Tsp. Olive Oil

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
While water is coming to a boil combine butter, garlic, basil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. black pepper in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Alternatively you can finely chop basil and garlic and mix with a spatula.
Season the water with plenty of salt when boiling and then add pasta and let cook until al dente.
Pat salmon filets dry with paper towels, drizzle with olive oil, and season with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. black pepper.
Heat a skillet over medium high heat and add salmon skin side down and cook for 4-5 minutes before flipping to the opposite side and cooking for another 4-5 minutes until salmon is cooked through.
Squeeze fresh lemon over the salmon to finish and brighten the flavor of the fish.
Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining the pasta and then add the pasta back into the pot.
Add 2 Tbsp. of the basil butter to the hot pasta along with parmesan cheese and half of the reserved pasta water and stir to coat. Add more pasta water as needed and more basil butter if desired.
Serve the salmon on top of the pasta and add extra basil butter to the hot salmon. Add red chili flakes for some heat if desired.
Serve immediately.