This creamy smoked salmon pasta is the perfect recipe for any occasion. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a light yet satisfying pasta dish that brings together the fresh flavours of spring. Tender risoni (orzo) is tossed with hot smoked salmon, zesty lemon, peas, and crisp asparagus in a silky, creamy sauce without using cream. Simple to make, healthy, and loved by the whole family, this easy salmon pasta recipe is a go-to meal you’ll come back to again and again.
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Why I Love This Recipe
As a busy mum of two, I need dinner that can be on the table in under 30 minutes, and dinners that the whole family will love. My hot smoked salmon pasta is just that! I love this recipe because:
- it is SO SO easy to make - one fry pan, one saucepan is all you need.
- On the table in 20 minutes - no fluffing about, this recipe is so easy!
- It tastes like spring - I love using fresh, seasonal produce.
- It is hearty, yet still feels light and fresh.
- It is cost-effective - use seasonal ingredients but still feels like a quality, homemade meal.
Recipe Ingredients
This recipe uses very simple ingredients, easily found at local farmers markets and supermarkets.
For this recipe, you'll need the following;
Risoni - risoni (also known as orzo) is a type of pasta with a similar shape to rice. Risoni doesn't take too long to cook, which is why I love using it in this recipe. This type of pasta is also perfect for baby-led weaning and toddlers.
Hot Smoked Salmon - found at our local supermarket and Aldi, this is cost cost-effective cut of salmon at just $7.99 for 150g. This is enough for two people, plus a few little people.
Lemon - Lemon zest and juice give this recipe a beautiful sourness and zest to it. Perfect to balance with fish.
Herbs - for this recipe I use dill and parsley. Both of these herbs pair beautifully with fish and lemon.
Asparagus - asparagus is in abundance during the spring time and I often find it at local markets for $1.99 a bunch. I love that asparagus brings crunch to this recipe.
Frozen Peas - even though they are frozen, I feel like peas are also seasonal at spring time. I love the freshness and sweetness they bring to this recipe.
Smooth Ricotta - this is where you get the creamy element of your pasta from. Smooth ricotta is so creamy and adds such a beautiful texture to this pasta dish.
How To Make This Recipe
This recipe requires minimal cooking, and two pans - one for the salmon and one fo the pasta.
- The first step is frying off the herbs and lemon zest. It infuses the olive oil and really brings out the depth of flavour in the herbs.
2. Once you've fried the herbs in the oil, you'll add the salmon and break it up into little chunks.
3. Add the ricotta until it's all heated through. The salmon should be nice and creamy.
4. Cook the risoni according to the packet instructions. Then in the last 3-4 minutes, add the chopped asparagus and peas to cook. They should be crunchy but tender.
5. Drain the pasta, asparagus and peas and stir it through the salmon ricotta mix and serve.
Tips, Substitutions and FAQ
What is hot smoked salmon?
Hot-smoked salmon is smoked a higher smoke point than regular smoked salmon. It is firm in texture and can be flaked up more easily. I find it much less salty and smokier than cold-smoked salmon.
Can I Use Different Pasta?
Yes, of course - be mindful that other pastas will have a longer cooking time. Rison takes no time to cook, unlike thicker and larger pasta types.
Can I Sub Ricotta?
Yes, you can substitute it for feta, sour cream, regular cream or cream cheese. Feta will not bring the creaminess that ricotta, sour cream or cream cheese will.
This recipe is just gorgeous and a really lightweight, fresh summery dish you can serve on any occasion! It's so easy to make, and will only take you about 10 minutes. I love fast, easy recipes especially when it's summer and the last thing you want is a hot oven on!
So here's cheers to a happy almost summer!
If you make this recipe, I'd love for you to review it and leave a comment! Happy almost Spring!
Georgie x
Want more Salmon Recipes?
📖 Recipe
Hot Smoked Salmon Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup dill chopped
- ¼ cup parsley roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 200 g risoni pasta 7 ounces/approx 1 ¾ cups
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 100 g frozen peas 3 ½ ounces/approx ½ cup
- 150 g hot smoked salmon approx 5.5 oz
- ½ cup soft ricotta
- juice of half a lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the risoni according to packet instructions. In the last 3-4 minutes of cooking, add the frozen peas and the asparagus.
- Heat the olive oil in a small fry pan over medium heat.
- Add the dill and parsley and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the hot smoked salmon and break up with a wooden spoon. Salmon should be warm through.
- Stir in the ricotta.
- Drain the pasta, peas and asparagus.
- Mix the salmon through the pasta, and stir in the lemon juice.
- Serve and garnish with a little extra parsley and lemon zest.
Nutrition
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Chinazor Ominyi says
Great recipe. Nice details.
Can I substitute the pasta with rice?
Georgie says
Hi Chinazor, yes you probably could I haven't tried it though. I like the texture of the risoni, the rice would give it a different taste and I'm not sure how it would go with the ricotta. I personally would prefer risoni or any other pasta.
Michelle says
This is such a light and fresh dish! I love how easy it is to make too. It's perfectly creamy and packed with flavour!
Georgie says
thank you so much Michelle, it's one of my favourites!
Rebecca Blackwell says
I made this for dinner last night and it was sooooooo good! I LOVE all the fresh herbs in there - especially the dill. This simple dish is going to get made at my house again and again. Thanks for a great recipe!
Georgie says
Aww thanks Rebecca, glad you loved it! x
Danielle says
If there is anything better than pasta, it would be salmon pasta 🙂 Incredible flavors mixed with amazing traditions... Can't wait to make it happen in my kitchen now!
Georgie says
thank you Danielle, it's so gorgeous and light I love it!
Dannii says
This is one of my favourite pasta dishes to make. So rich and creamy.
Georgie says
thanks so much Dannii, glad you loved it!
Paula Montenegro says
Beautiful pasta dish! Love that you added ricotta, one of my favorite ingredients! I'm in the Southern hemisphere so it's spring here. This definitely is the perfect warm-weather recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Georgie says
I'm in Australia so definitely a perfect spring recipe! Although it's feeling a lot more like winter in Melbourne at the moment!
Helen @ family-friends-food says
This looks absolutely delicious and the sort of dish my family would love. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Georgie says
thank you Helen, it's a lovely recipe for a crowd!
Jacqueline Debono says
You are so lucky heading into summer now! Here in Italy we're in the middle of a wet, cold and grey period! The only light on the horizon is Christmas! I love salmon pasta and this has so many wonderful spring ingredients! Will save it for when our spring arrives!
Georgie says
if it makes you feel any better, it's freezing and raining here and there is snow in the mountain so not really sure summer is coming at all! But yes, this recipe is gorgeous for spring and summer!