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Home » Meal » Dinner

Published: Jul 22, 2022 by Genevieve · This post may contain affiliate links.

Penne al Salmone

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My version of Penne al Salmone is a salmon pasta without cream. Instead, it is a fresh, light, summery dish highlighting sweet and savory burst cherry tomatoes in a white wine sauce with thyme.

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
A white plate of penne pasta with burst cherry tomatoes and flaked salmon topped with parsley sits on a white marble countertop with a yellow linen, a pan of salmon penne pasta, a bunch of parsley, and a copper-colored fork.
Jump to:
  • What You'll Need
  • How to Prepare
  • Variations
  • How to Store
  • FAQ
  • How to Serve
  • Recipes You'll Love
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh cherry tomatoes from the garden or farmer's market.

I am not the biggest fan of raw tomatoes, but I absolutely love cooked tomatoes in every form: baked, roasted, in sauces, or tossed on a grill until charred. In warm weather months, I won't go more than a day or two without eating tomatoes.

Cherry tomatoes top my list, and cooking them in the pan with olive oil, garlic, shallots, and just a bit of salt produces the sweetest, most delicious little bursts of flavor in every bite of this pasta.

Combined with a lemon, white wine, and thyme sauce, you have a wonderfully bright and lively dish anchored by the rich, savory salmon and olive oil.

The ingredients for Penne al Salmone are shown on a white marble counter.

What You'll Need

Two Cloves Kitchen, as an Amazon Affiliate, makes a small percentage from qualified sales made through affiliate links at no cost to you.

  • Fresh Salmon Mowi is a sustainably sourced and consistently good quality salmon
  • Penne You can also use other short, tubular pasta such as rigatoni, mostaccioli, ziti, or even fusilli or farfalle - you'll want a pasta with lots of surface area to be coated in the delicious sauce.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil I always recommend using the best quality you can when there are few ingredients in the dish. This is my favorite brand.
  • Garlic Fresh garlic is important in this sauce. I would not recommend substituting garlic powder. If you don't have fresh garlic, I would use just a bit more shallot.
  • Shallot A shallot on the larger side is great here, but a small one will work just fine too.
  • Lemon If you'd like a slightly sweeter dish, try a Meyer lemon!
  • White Wine Any kind of white wine will do. I like using a Sauvignon Blanc or something light that I would actually drink.
  • Fresh Thyme You could also use about half of a teaspoon of dried thyme or Herbs de Provence.
  • Kosher Salt I like to use the brand Diamond Crystal because the salt is small flakes as opposed to larger grains. This coats the food better, and offers greater protection against oversalting.
  • Fresh Herbs This is optional, but fresh parsley or basil over the top of this dish is a really lovely touch.

How to Prepare

Step One Slice the shallot into thin rings.

Rings of sliced shallot sit on a wooden cutting board with a knife blade in the background.

Step Two Slice the garlic thinly, about the same width as the shallot.

Sliced garlic sits on a wooden cutting board with a knife handle in the background.

Step Three Set out your mis en place (French for "put in place") - the ingredients you will need to make your dish: cherry tomatoes, penne pasta, salmon, olive oil, sliced shallots, sliced garlic, white wine, lemon juice, thyme, and lemon.

White bowls with penne pasta and cherry tomatoes, a white plate with a fillet of salmon, half of a lemon, and a bunch of thyme, and clear pinch bowls with salt, olive oil, sliced garlic, sliced shallots, and white wine sit on a white marble countertop.

Step Four Place a pot of salted water over high heat. Once boiling, add the penne and cook to box directions.

Penne pasta in a stainless steel pot of boiling water with a silver spoon stirring the noodles.

Step Five Meanwhile, start your salmon.

If using a stainless steel frying pan, place over high heat. Once hot, add the olive oil. Season the salmon with salt.

Pan fry the salmon skin side down until the skin separates from the pan and it is three quarters of the way cooked, then flip and finish cooking.

If you are a culinary nerd like me, you will enjoy this video illustrating how to tell if your stainless steel pan is up to temperature.

If using a nonstick pan, heat over medium heat. It's not recommended to use nonstick cookware on high heat. Cook three quarters of the way through and then flip to finish.

Remove salmon from heat when the internal temperature reaches 125°F. This is considered medium rare. If you prefer your salmon more well done, continue cooking to 140°F. Let the salmon rest on a cutting board.

A fillet of salmon is cooking in a stainless steel pan with olive oil and salt. The salmon changes color halfway through, showing it is half cooked.

Step Six Flake the salmon apart with a fork.

Flaked salmon sits on a white plate.

Step Seven Bring the pan down to medium heat. Add your garlic and shallots to the pan. Cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and white wine, deglazing the pan (scraping up the brown bits) and add a pinch of salt.

Sautéed shallots and garlic are shown in a stainless steel pan with white wine and lemon juice with a wooden spoon mixing the ingredients together.

Step Eight Add the tomatoes, thyme, and a pinch of salt.

Fresh cherry tomatoes and thyme sit in a stainless steel pan with sliced garlic, sliced shallots, lemon juice, white wine, and salt.

Step Nine Cook the tomatoes until they have burst and created a sweet, rich sauce, about 15 to 20 minutes. To speed up the process, prick the skins of the tomatoes with a paring knife.

Burst cherry tomatoes with sliced shallots, garlic, white wine, lemon juice, olive oil, and springs of thyme in a stainless steel pan

Step Ten Once the pasta is finished cooking, drain. Add a bit of oil and stir so it does not stick.

Step Eleven When the tomatoes are ready, take out the thyme stems, add the pasta, and stir. Finish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil if you have them.

Penne pasta mixed with flaked salmon and burst cherry tomatoes in a stainless steel pan over a white marble countertop.

Variations

Different Pasta Shapes Try this dish with ziti, rigatoni, fusilli, mostaccioli, or any other small tubular pasta.

Add Fresh Herbs Try adding fresh parsley or basil for an even more summery dish.

Different Protein In place of salmon, try adding some pan-fried or grilled shrimp or chicken.

How to Store

Cooked Penne al Salmone can be stored for 3 to 5 days in the fridge.

To reheat, place in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until it reaches the desired temperature. You can also heat the dish in the microwave, but I prefer the pan method to avoid any unwanted aroma.

See FAQ below for freezing recommendations.

FAQ

What can I use in place of fresh thyme?

Try half of a teaspoon of dried thyme or Herbs de Provence.

How long will this last in the fridge?

Cooked Penne al Salmone can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.

Can I freeze this dish?

I do not recommend freezing cooked fish. If needed, freeze the past and sauce in one container and cook the salmon once you have defrosted the pasta. Cool down to room temperature before freezing and store for up to 2 months.

How to Serve

This pasta can definitely be a full meal on its own.

If you'd like to fill your dinner table out a bit, try adding some roasted baby broccoli, sautéed asparagus, or garlic bread.

This is great with a pitcher of Cucumber Lemon Ginger Water with Jalapeño.

Recipes You'll Love

If you're in the mood for more salmon, try these recipes:

Furikake Salmon

Gravlax Tartine

Grilled Salmon

📖 Recipe

A white plate of penne pasta with burst cherry tomatoes and flaked salmon topped with parsley sits on a white marble countertop with a yellow linen, a pan of salmon penne pasta, a bunch of parsley, and a copper-colored fork.

Penne al Salmone

A light, summery pasta with flaked pan-seared salmon, sweet burst cherry tomatoes, and a white wine sauce.
5 from 43 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: Easy Weeknight Meal, Easy Weeknight Recipe, Quick
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 small or 2 large
Calories: 253kcal
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Equipment

  • Stock Pot
  • Frying Pan
  • Strainer
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Citrus Squeezer (optional)

Ingredients

  • 1 fillet salmon patted dry
  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 shallot
  • 8 ounces cherry tomatoes
  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme
  • ½ lemon
  • ⅓ cup white wine
  • kosher salt to taste
  • fresh parsley or basil optional

Instructions

  • Slice the shallot and garlic.

Pasta

  • Place a pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil.
  • Once boiling, add pasta and cook to box directions. When cooked, strain and add a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Salmon

    If Using Stainless Steel Pan for Salmon

    • Place pan over high heat. Once hot, add oil and turn down to medium heat.
    • When the oil is shimmering, add salmon skin side down until it is cooked ¾ of the way through and the skin lifts easily from the pan. Flip and cook until salmon reaches internal temp of 125°F.
    • Remove salmon from pan and let rest on cutting board. Flake with a fork.

    If Using Nonstick Pan for Salmon

    • Place pan over medium heat. Add olive oil.
    • Once shimmering, add salmon, skin side down until it is cooked ¾ of the way through. Flip and cook until salmon reaches internal temp of 125°F.

    Tomatoes

    • While the salmon rests, turn heat on the frying pan to medium low. Add shallots, garlic, and more olive oil if the pan seems a bit dry. Cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
    • Squeeze lemon juice into pan and add white wine. Deglaze the pan (scrape up the brown bits).
    • Add tomatoes and thyme and cook for 15-20 minutes, until tomatoes are burst and create a sauce with the white wine and lemon juice. To speed up cooking, prick the tomatoes with a paring knife.
    • Once the sauce is slightly thickened, taste for seasoning. Remove thyme stems. Add pasta and salmon to the pan, stir, and top with fresh herbs if desired.

    Notes

    • You can replace the penne with any short, tubular pasta, like rigatoni, ziti, or mostaccioli.
    • Fresh thyme can be replaced by ½ teaspoon dried thyme or Herbs de Provence.
    • Use any white wine that you would drink yourself - something light and dry will work well here.
    • If you prefer your salmon well done, cook to 140°F.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 430mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 357IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. JD Alewine says

      July 24, 2022 at 9:19 pm

      5 stars
      Tried this recipe the other day and it was AMAZING! Can't wait to make it again!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        July 24, 2022 at 9:55 pm

        Thank you so much, JD!

        Reply
    2. Shilpa says

      July 25, 2022 at 7:40 am

      5 stars
      Delicious and flavorful. We loved it. It’s perfect for a light lunch. Thanks for this recipe.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        July 25, 2022 at 4:52 pm

        Thank you! I'm glad you and your family enjoyed it.

        Reply
    3. Allyssa says

      July 25, 2022 at 12:05 pm

      5 stars
      This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        July 25, 2022 at 4:51 pm

        Thanks Allyssa! So happy your family enjoyed this.

        Reply
    4. Liz says

      July 25, 2022 at 12:18 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a yummy way to make salmon! I'm sharing this recipe with my mom because I know she'll love it too!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        July 25, 2022 at 4:51 pm

        Thanks so much, Liz! Hope your mom loves it.

        Reply
    5. Shelby says

      July 25, 2022 at 12:50 pm

      5 stars
      I love how fresh this is! It comes out so light and is a great way to use up my tomatoes in the garden!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        July 25, 2022 at 4:51 pm

        Thank you, Shelby! Tomatoes from the garden are the best.

        Reply
    6. Kim says

      October 21, 2022 at 11:19 am

      5 stars
      So amazing! Really loved all the fresh ingredients that paired so well with the salmon and pasta. And it tasted so light without a heavy sauce!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        October 21, 2022 at 11:25 am

        Thank you so much, Kim!

        Reply
    7. Holley says

      October 21, 2022 at 11:26 am

      5 stars
      I love how easy, bright and lively this dish is! Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        October 21, 2022 at 11:37 am

        Thanks so much, Holley!

        Reply
    8. Claudia Lamascolo says

      October 21, 2022 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      I love these flavors and they looks amazing I love using fresh tomatoes with pasta!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        October 21, 2022 at 11:37 am

        Thank you, Claudia!

        Reply
    9. Andrea says

      October 21, 2022 at 11:34 am

      5 stars
      I love the flavor combinations in this penne al salmone. Looking forward to making it for my family.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        October 21, 2022 at 11:36 am

        Thank you, Andrea!

        Reply
    10. Aimee Mars says

      October 21, 2022 at 12:07 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious! This was easy to make and I love the fact that my kids ate every last bite.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        October 21, 2022 at 2:29 pm

        Thank you, Aimee! So glad the kids liked it.

        Reply
    11. Journa Liz Ramirez says

      October 22, 2022 at 4:23 am

      5 stars
      I love how fresh this version of Penne al Salmone is. It tasted so delicious and is easy to make. I'll surely try this again.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        November 01, 2022 at 10:59 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    12. Lisa says

      October 23, 2022 at 5:13 am

      5 stars
      A friend gave me a salmon filet and this was a delicious recipe to use it in. Will make it again!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        November 01, 2022 at 10:59 am

        Wonderful, thank you!

        Reply
    13. Giangi Townsend says

      October 29, 2022 at 3:21 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorite salmon pasta recipes, and I love that you use fresh salmon. It gives it such a beautiful rich flavor,
      Thank you for the inspiration and recipe

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        November 17, 2022 at 8:47 am

        Thank you so much, Giangi!

        Reply
    14. Abhi says

      October 29, 2022 at 5:42 pm

      5 stars
      What a lovely idea to use Salmon!! Thanks for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        November 01, 2022 at 10:53 am

        Thanks, Abhi! You're welcome.

        Reply
    15. Judith says

      October 30, 2022 at 7:26 am

      5 stars
      I love any recipe which is quick to prepare. Everyone enjoyed it too.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        November 01, 2022 at 10:53 am

        Yay! Thank you.

        Reply
    16. nancy says

      October 30, 2022 at 10:55 am

      5 stars
      easy to make weeknight meal with salmon and pasta. It makes for a tasty leftover lunch too

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        November 01, 2022 at 10:53 am

        Thanks Nancy! Glad to hear you liked it.

        Reply
    17. Nicola says

      November 01, 2022 at 1:45 am

      5 stars
      Such a delicious looking pasta recipe! Defs need to try it out!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        November 17, 2022 at 8:47 am

        I hope you enjoy!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Gen! Welcome to Two Cloves Kitchen. I am a certified professional cook, lifelong recipe creator, writer, editor, and food lover. I use my culinary knowledge to teach you how to utilize your ingredients and equipment to their fullest potential, turning ordinary meals into something exciting with bold, fresh, innovative ideas and flavors.

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