Pasta/ Seafood

Linguine with Salmon and Lemon Mascarpone Sauce

I was inspired to make this pasta dish by the lemon trees growing in front of my local library. Every day I would walk by and see people picking the lemons from the lower branches. Alas, I was too slow to pick these lemons so I devised a plot: arrive early one morning with a portable ladder and long-handled clippers and clip away! It worked beautifully and I was able to walk away with a bag of ripe lemons. Mind you, I got the permission of the librarian ahead of time so I was calm and collected when a policeman drove by and glanced at me.

This pasta is flavored with a cheesy lemon sauce made with fresh juice, olive oil, herbs and mascarpone cheese. Then add the salmon, toasted pine nuts, mushrooms and lemon zest and you’ve got yourself the perfect comfort meal!

Linguine with Salmon and Lemon Sauce

Print Recipe
Serves: 6 Cooking Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. dried linguine
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 Tbsps. reserved pasta cooking water
  • 2 Tbsps. finely chopped parsley
  • _________________
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 12 brown mushrooms, chopped
  • Olive oil
  • 1/2 lb cooked salmon
  • ¼ cup mascarpone or sour cream
  • ¼ cup or more parmesan/romano grated cheese
  • 2 Tbsps. butter
  • Garnish:
  • ¼ lightly toasted pine nuts
  • Chopped parsley and rosemary
  • Lemon zest from 1 lemon
  • Salt/pepper to taste

Instructions

1

Cook the linguine in a pot of salted water, as directed. Strain the pasta and set aside about ¼ cup of the pasta cooking liquid for future use.

2

While the pasta is cooking, season the salmon with salt and pepper. Pan fry both sides of the fish over medium heat until cooked through. Set aside.

3

Prepare the lemon sauce: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, 2 Tbsps. reserved pasta cooking water (or more if desired), chopped parsley and salt to taste. Add the cooked pasta to a large pot and mix in the lemon sauce. Sauté the chopped onions and mushrooms in a pan with a little olive oil until soft (about 3-5 minutes). Add these veggies to the pot of pasta, along with the mascarpone (or sour cream).and parmesan/romano cheese blend. Mix well and work in the 2 Tbsps. of butter to the mixture. Chop the salmon into bite-size pieces and add to the other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4

To serve, place the pasta in individual serving bowls and garnish with chopped parsley and rosemary leaves, some toasted pine nuts, lemon zest and additional parmesan/romano cheese as desired.

You Might Also Like

11 Comments

  • Reply
    John / Kitchen Riffs
    March 13, 2020 at 11:51 am

    I love lemon. And salmon. And pasta. This sounds like a delightful dish — both in looks and flavor. Really nice recipe — thanks.

  • Reply
    angiesrecipes
    March 13, 2020 at 2:04 pm

    Salmon is always a favourite! This looks so delightful and yummy with the combo of flavours and I love how you plate the food…

  • Reply
    David Scott Allen
    March 15, 2020 at 3:08 am

    Although this goes against every Italian culinary rule, it sounds fantastic and I can’t wait to make it!

  • Reply
    mimi rippee
    March 15, 2020 at 6:11 am

    I’m going to make this next time my girlfriend visits!

  • Reply
    Gemma
    March 15, 2020 at 7:49 am

    Oh wow I can only imagine how delicious this pasta is with such incredibly fresh lemon! I would so love a lemon tree, to have access to fresh lemon must be amazing and so inspiring in the kitchen xo

  • Reply
    natalia20041989
    March 17, 2020 at 6:55 pm

    Yum, beautiful, sophisticared,yet simple pasta meal, love it!

  • Reply
    lisaiscooking
    March 24, 2020 at 5:41 am

    This sounds ideal! Love these flavors, and the salmon sounds so good in this.

  • Reply
    Kerryn
    February 17, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    I made this tonight with leftover baked salmon and it was delicious. Although I love mushrooms, I wasn’t sure of the flavour combination, so omitted them. I love capers with salmon, so added them. I loved the richness of the added butter and all my family had seconds. Thanks for the recipe.

    • Reply
      Fran Flint
      February 18, 2021 at 1:27 am

      Kerryn, thanks so much for your comment. I am so pleased that your dish turned out well!

  • Reply
    Tina Taylor
    June 2, 2021 at 9:15 pm

    I made this. Omitted the mushrooms. It was truly scrumptious.

    • Reply
      Fran Flint
      June 2, 2021 at 11:28 pm

      Tina, thanks for your comment. I think I added the mushrooms to the dish since I really like them!

    I love comments!