A quick and easy weeknight meal that always goes down a treat!
This is my way of making 3 salmon fillets stretch to feed four people (you could even use two if you throw some extra vegetables in there).
It’s all ready and on the table in 20 minutes.
A fantastic way to get the family eating fish, this salmon dish feels like a real treat.
It tastes perfect the way it is, but it’s also a great base dish to use – so you can add in extras – such as hot sauce, mushrooms, prawns and peppers.
📋 What do we need?
- Salmon – use skin-on or skinless salmon (it’s easy to remove the skin during cooking).
- Pasta – use your favourite pasta shape
- Passata – I’m using passata in this recipe for a smooth sauce. If you’re in the USA, Passata is the same as tomato puree. It’s a medium-thick sauce (about the consistency of double/heavy cream) made of 100% tomatoes. If you can’t get hold of it you can replace with the same amount of finely chopped or crushed tinned/canned tomatoes – you will just need to simmer the sauce for a few minutes longer.
- Tomato puree – this is tomato paste if you’re in the USA
📺 Watch how to make it
Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.
👩🍳PRO TIP Be sure to save some of the water when you drain the pasta. The pasta water can bee added to the finished dish to loosen up the sauce to your liking.
I love to sprinkle with grated parmesan, black pepper and some fresh baby basil leaves.
🍽️ What to serve it with
- Homemade Garlic Bread
- A simple Crunchy Salad
- Easy Artisan Bread
I love how that creamy tomato sauce clings to the pasta. You know it’s going to be full of flavour.
If you prefer long pasta, I also have a spaghetti version of this recipe, with a little added courgetti (zoodles).
🍲 More fantastic Pasta recipes
Stay updated with new recipes!
Subscribe to the newsletter to hear when I post a new recipe. I’m also on YouTube (new videos every week) and Instagram (behind-the-scenes stories & beautiful food photos).
Salmon Rigatoni in a Creamy Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 400 g (14 oz) rigatoni or your favourite pasta shape
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 pieces boneless salmon (approx 400g/14oz), doesn't matter if the skin is on, as it can easily be removed during cooking
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 medium onion (or 2 small onions), peeled and finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and minced
- 500 g (17.5 oz) passata
- 1 tbsp tomato puree paste for US
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3 tbsp double (heavy) cream
To Serve:
- grated parmesan cheese
- black pepper
- fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook the pasta as per the pack instructions, then drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.400 g (14 oz) rigatoni
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat.2 tbsp olive oil
- Season the salmon fillets with the salt and pepper. Place in the pan skin-side-up.3 pieces boneless salmon, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Fry the salmon for 3 minutes, until golden, then turn the salmon over and move it to one side of the pan.
- Add the onions to the space left in the pan. Cook on a medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.1 medium onion
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for a further 30 seconds.2 garlic cloves
- Add in the passata, tomato puree, dried thyme, and sugar. Stir together and allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes.500 g (17.5 oz) passata, 1 tbsp tomato puree, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp sugar
- Turn the salmon over in the frying pan. Remove the skin using a set of tongs and discard.
- Break up the salmon using the back of a fork into chunky pieces.
- Stir the cream into the sauce.3 tbsp double (heavy) cream
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan along with a good splash (about 1/4 cup) of the pasta cooking water.
- Stir the pasta into the sauce, distributing the pieces of salmon amongst the pasta.
- Add more of the pasta cooking water if you want to loosen up the sauce further (optional).
- Divide the pasta between bowls and top with a little grated parmesan, black pepper and a sprinkling of fresh basil leaves.grated parmesan cheese, black pepper, fresh basil
Video
Notes
- Swap the rigatoni for your favourite pasta shapes.
- Swap the salmon for trout or king prawns if you fancy a change
- Add in extra vegetables – such as mushrooms, peppers or sugar snap peas, when you add in the garlic.
- Stir in a handful of grated parmesan or cheddar when you add in the pasta.
- Add a pinch of chilli flakes for a bit of heat.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.
Very nice dinner and so easy to cook. I couldn’t believe how quick it was to make. Perfect for a mid week meal.
This recipe looks delicious and it’s so simple I can’t wait to try it. Can I use tinned salmon instead of fresh salmon?
Looks delicious! What can I substitute for heavy cream? Would non fat milk or almond milk work?
Absolutely yummy
I used 2 salmon fillets added a few prawns and it quite easily fed 4 of us. Will definitely make this again😋