This Creamy Dairy-Free Pasta Recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes for an incredibly delicious and impressive meal to enjoy with family and friends or serve at your next dinner party. The recipe is completely gluten-free, dairy-free, and easily customizable.
Love easy pasta recipes? Then you should definitely check out our Creamy Lobster Pasta, Avocado Pesto Pasta, or Lemon Garlic Pasta with Shrimp next!
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This creamy salmon pasta recipe is quickly going to become your go-to for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It is absolutely delicious and does not require any fancy equipment or high-level kitchen skills. Making pasta sauce from scratch is a breeze and it tastes SO much better than store-bought sauces.
The creamy lemon pasta sauce is a luscious zesty sauce made completely dairy-free. Instead of using heavy cream, this base of the sauce is made with a mix of chicken broth and full-fat coconut milk. The coconut flavor is subtle as the lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs enhance the flavor of the sauce.
The salmon is extremely flavorful. It is coated in a mixture of honey, garlic, and coconut aminos. Then, it is broiled in the oven to give the salmon the perfect caramelized crust and tender, flakey inside. The recipe for the salmon is the same as my Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe, just made in the oven instead. Feel free to broil the salmon or cook it in the air fryer. Both methods yield the same great results.
Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Salmon Pasta Recipe
FOR THE SALMON
- Salmon: You will need about a pound of salmon, about 2 large salmon fillets. If using frozen salmon, make sure to thaw it first.
- Fresh Garlic: Use a garlic press to get perfectly minced garlic easily. The garlic will be spread on top of the salmon so chopped as finely as possible is best.
- Coconut Aminos: This gives the salmon a delicious umami flavor. If you do not have coconut aminos, you can use soy sauce. (Please note that most soy sauces are not gluten-free.)
- Honey: The salmon is coated in a thick layer of honey. When the salmon is cooking, the honey helps to create the perfect caramelized crust on the salmon and gives the salmon so much flavor!
FOR THE CREAMY DAIRY-FREE PASTA SAUCE
- Full-Fat Coconut Milk: To make a creamy sauce without using heavy cream, we are using full-fat coconut milk. Make sure to give the coconut milk a good stir before using it. (You can use full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream for this recipe)
- Chicken Broth: You can use chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Aromatics and Fresh Herbs: Onion, garlic cloves, fresh parsley, fresh basil
- Lemon Zest and Lemon: Zest the lemon first, then cut the lemon and squeeze out the amount of fresh lemon juice needed.
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: You’ll only need a tablespoon to help thicken the cream sauce. If you are not sensitive to gluten, you can use regular all-purpose flour.
- Veggies: Baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes
- Spices: Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning (or Herbs de Provence), paprika
- Cooking oil: Use olive oil, avocado oil, or whichever oil you prefer. You can also use vegan butter.
- Pasta of choice: Use Your favorite gluten-free or regular pasta. We like to use linguine for our salmon pasta.
How To Make Creamy Salmon Pasta
- PREPARE THE SALMON. Season and roast salmon in the oven. While the salmon is cooking, prepare the pasta and pasta sauce.
- COOK PASTA ACCORDING TO THE PACKAGE INSTRUCTIONS (until al dente). Be sure to reserve a half cup of pasta water. You can use it to thin your sauce if needed.
- PREPARE THE PASTA SAUCE. Making the pasta sauce is super easy. Start by sauteing the onion. Then, add the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Mix in the flour, then add the chicken broth, spices, lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh herbs. Bring it to a low boil, then mix in the coconut milk. All the mixture to simmer for about ten minutes to thicken. Then, season with a bit of salt and pepper and it is done!
- PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER. Drain the noodles and add them to the pasta sauce. You can either shred the salmon and mix it into the pasta or place the salmon fillets on top. Top with a squeeze of fresh lemon, a few lemon wedges, chopped parsley and basil, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Serve and Enjoy!
**This is an overview. More detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.
Tips, Customizations, And Recipe Variations
- If Frozen, Thaw The Salmon First. If time permits, let the salmon marinate for at least 30 minutes in the honey, garlic, and coconut aminos mixture.
- Season The Salmon: Add additional spices to the salmon if you like. Paprika, oregano, Italian seasoning, and red crushed peppers are always great options.
- Broil, Air Fry, Pan Sear, Or Bake The Salmon: Broiling or air frying is the easiest and gives the salmon the best crust.
- Swap The Salmon For Another Fish: Try using shrimp or cod.
- Try Different Protein: This creamy garlic lemon sauce tastes great with chicken breasts, steak, or plant-based alternative meats like plant-based sausage.
- Make it Vegan: Instead of using salmon, try jackfruit or oyster mushrooms. You can roast them in spices and the mixture of honey, garlic, and coconut aminos.
- Add Cheese. You can certainly add cheese to the pasta if you like. Mix 1/3 cup parmesan cheese into the pasta sauce (before adding the spinach) or add parmesan cheese on top of the finished pasta.
Storage and Reheating
- STORAGE: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- REHEATING: The easiest way to reheat a single serving is to place the pasta in a microwave-safe bowl and warm it in the microwave for about 60 seconds, or until heated through. To reheat a large portion, reheat the pasta on the stove. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, add the pasta and a small amount of chicken broth or water (about a tablespoon or two). Cover the pasta and allow the liquid added to steam the pasta and warm it through, stirring occasionally so that the pasta does not burn. It should be warm in about 2-3 minutes.
Common Questions
What pasta goes with salmon?
Use any of your favorite noodles. We love to use linguini when making salmon pasta. Spaghetti, penne, and pappardelle noodles are great options!
Does pasta and fish go together?
Certainly. Seafood pasta is a delicious option and an easy shift from typical meat pasta dishes. Salmon is a great fish to use in pasta! Shrimp and lobster are also great options.
What can I use instead of cream in pasta?
You can use full-fat coconut milk or cream, cashew cream, or non-dairy milk thickened with flour. These are all great options to use instead of traditional heavy cream in pasta.
Want to save a bit of time? Make these Honey Garlic Salmon Bites for your pasta. The flavor is delicious and the bites are made quickly and easily in the air fryer.
What To Serve With This Dairy-Free Salmon Pasta
This pasta is a filling meal on its own, but can certainly be paired with a few sides! Here are a few dishes that go perfectly with this creamy salmon linguine:
- Vegan Caesar Salad (GF): The salad dressing is dairy-free and vegan, but you’d never know by tasting it —it’s delish!
- Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits: Pasta and biscuits are the perfect combination. These fluffy biscuits are completely gluten-free and vegan!
- Red Lobster Style Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits (GF): There’s an option to use vegan cheddar cheese to make these biscuits completely dairy-free!
- Air Fryer Asparagus: Add more veggies to the mix by quickly preparing asparagus. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts would be great too!
I hope you enjoy this Creamy Dairy-Free Salmon Pasta Recipe! If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments. Leave a quick review & star rating ★ below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.
More Pasta and Salmon Recipes To Try!
- Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
- Easy Gluten-Free Carbonara
- Easy Creamy Lobster Pasta
- Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta
- Cashew Cream Pasta | Vegan + GF
- Air Fryer Salmon | Easy 15-minute recipe!
- Jerk Salmon Bowl with Mango Salsa
Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
FOR THE PASTA
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil or cooking oil of choice
- 1/2 Small Onion
- 5 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour (or regular all-purpose flour)
- 1 tbsp Lemon Zest
- 2 tbsp Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1/2 cup Chicken Broth Or Vegetable Broth
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped (heaping tablespoons)
- 3 tbsp Fresh Basil, chopped (heaping tablespoons)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or Herbs de Provence)
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 6 oz Baby Spinach
- 1 1/2 cups Canned Full-Fat Coconut Milk
- 12 oz Linguine or pasta of choice (gluten-free or regular)
FOR THE SALMON
- 1 lb Salmon (~2 large salmon fillets)
- 4 tbsp Honey
- 5 Garlic Cloves, finely minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 tbsp Coconut Aminos (can sub soy sauce)
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp Red Crushed Pepper Flakes, optional
FOR GARNISH
- Lemon Wedges
- 1-2 tsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
- 1-2 tsp Fresh Basil, Chopped
- 1/4 tsp Red Crushed Pepper Flakes, plus more to taste
- 1/8 tsp Freshly Cracked Black pepper, plus more to taste
Instructions
- PREPARE THE PASTA NOODLES.Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook your pasta according to package instructions.
PREPARE THE SALMON
- Preheat the oven to a high broil. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.
- Drizzle Coconut Aminos (or soy sauce) onto the salmon. Then. season the salmon with salt and pepper. Then, smear the minced garlic onto the salmon and drizzle on the honey. Place the salmon on the baking sheet.
- Broil the salmon on high for 7-9 minutes, or until the top is caramelized and the salmon is opaque and flaky.
PREPARE THE PASTA SAUCE
- While the salmon is cooking, prepare the pasta. Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1 minute. Then, whisk in the flour.
- Add the broth, lemon juice, zest, Italian seasoning, paprika, parsley, and basil. Let it bubble for 2 minutes.
- Whisk in the full-fat coconut milk. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the sauce for 7-10 minutes, until it thickens up slightly.
- Mix in the spinach and stir until the spinach wilts. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and cook for a couple of minutes more, just until heated through.
- Once the salmon is done cooking, remove it from the oven. Flake the salmon with a fork and once the pasta is hot, stir in the chunks of salmon. (Alternatively, you can leave the salmon whole and place it on top of the pasta.)
- Remove the pasta from the heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, sliced lemon wedges, basil, red crushed pepper flakes, and freshly ground pepper if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Tips, Customizations, And Recipe Variations
- If Frozen, Thaw The Salmon First. If time permits, let the salmon marinate for at least 30 minutes in the honey, garlic, and coconut aminos mixture.
- Broil, Air Fry, Pan Sear, Or Bake The Salmon: Broiling or air frying is the easiest and gives the salmon the best crust.
- Swap The Salmon For Another Fish: Try using shrimp or cod.
- Add Cheese. You can certainly add cheese to the pasta if you like. Mix 1/3 cup parmesan cheese into the pasta sauce (before adding the spinach) or add parmesan cheese on top of the finished pasta.
I made this for dinner last night. Me and my hubby loved loved loveddd it.
Hi Kendra! I am glad you both enjoyed the recipe 🙂