What exactly is hot smoked salmon and where do I find it?

Hot smoked salmon is salmon that has been smoked at a high enough temperature to cook it all the way through, giving it a firm flaky texture similar to a piece of baked salmon. It is not the same as cold smoked salmon or lox which remains raw and silky. Hot smoked salmon is typically found in the refrigerated seafood section of major supermarkets, often near other smoked fish products and packaged fish. It comes ready to eat and simply needs to be flaked into the pasta at the very end of cooking.

Can I use regular cooked salmon instead of hot smoked?

Yes absolutely. Pan-sear or bake a salmon fillet seasoned with salt and pepper, flake it into large pieces, and fold it into the finished pasta exactly as you would the hot smoked salmon. The flavor will be milder and less smoky but the dish will still be delicious and beautiful. The smoked salmon does add a unique depth of savory flavor that makes this recipe particularly special so we do recommend using it when you can find it.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes. The blended spinach cream cheese sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, cook the pasta fresh and gently reheat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, using the reserved pasta water to loosen it to the right consistency, then proceed with the final assembly steps.

Creamy Spinach Pasta with Smoked Salmon 30 Minute Dinner

Name: Creamy Spinach Pasta with Smoked Salmon The Most Elegant 30 Minute Dinner You Will Make
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Ingredients: 300g English Spinach roots trimmed roughly chopped; 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 1 small Brown Onion finely chopped; 4 cloves Garlic crushed; 250g Full-Fat Cream Cheese softened to room temperature; 20g Parmesan Cheese finely grated; Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste; 500g Penne Pasta; 150g Baby Spinach Leaves; 300g Hot Smoked Salmon flaked into large pieces

Description

An elegant and vibrant Creamy Spinach Pasta with Smoked Salmon made with a blended spinach cream cheese Parmesan sauce and folded with fresh baby spinach and flaked hot smoked salmon. Restaurant-quality dinner on the table in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

300g English Spinach roots trimmed roughly chopped

1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 small Brown Onion finely chopped

4 cloves Garlic crushed

250g Full-Fat Cream Cheese softened to room temperature

20g Parmesan Cheese finely grated

Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste

500g Penne Pasta

150g Baby Spinach Leaves

300g Hot Smoked Salmon flaked into large pieces

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.

2. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, season, and cook 4 to 6 minutes until soft and fragrant.

3. Add chopped English spinach and cook 3 minutes until completely wilted.

4. Stir in softened cream cheese and cook 1 minute until melted and combined.

5. Remove from heat, add Parmesan, and blend with a stick blender until completely smooth and vibrant green. Set aside.

6. Cook penne in salted boiling water until al dente.

7. Reserve at least 1 cup pasta cooking water before draining. Drain and return pasta to hot pot.

8. Pour spinach sauce over hot pasta and add 1/3 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously to coat.

9. Add more pasta water as needed for a silky glossy consistency.

10. Fold in baby spinach leaves and flaked hot smoked salmon gently until spinach wilts and salmon warms through.

11. Serve immediately in warm bowls.

Notes

Cream cheese must be at room temperature before adding to avoid lumps in the sauce.

Always use hot smoked salmon not cold smoked salmon or lox.

Reserve plenty of pasta water before draining as it is essential for sauce consistency.

Blend the sauce until completely smooth for a silky vibrant green result.

Sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored separately in the refrigerator.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 795
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 88g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 42g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: creamy spinach pasta with smoked salmon, spinach salmon pasta, smoked salmon pasta recipe, easy weeknight pasta dinner