Garcia's Smoked Salmon & Dill Pasta
Silky pasta tossed with smoky salmon, fresh dill, and lemon zest in a light cream sauce, honoring the most frequent Hispanic surname. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 27 minutes pairs fettuccine pasta, smoked salmon, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
- 6 oz smoked salmon
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz fettuccine in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, finely chop 2 garlic cloves and heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 6 oz smoked salmon pieces and cook for 2 minutes to warm through without breaking.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, the zest of 1 lemon, and 2 tbsp fresh dill. Simmer for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon, then add salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garcia's Smoked Salmon & Dill Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Garcia's Smoked Salmon & Dill Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fettuccine pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garcia's Smoked Salmon & Dill Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Garcia's Smoked Salmon & Dill Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Garcia's Smoked Salmon & Dill Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 12-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
