1-Gathering and Prepping Ingredients: Begin with the basics: preheat your oven to 350°F and get a large pot of water boiling for the pasta. This salmon spinach pasta comes together quickly, so having everything ready makes a big difference. Spray a small rimmed baking pan with nonstick cooking spray to prepare for the salmon.

2-Place the 2 salmon fillets, about 3/4 pound total, skin side down on the pan. Season them with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper for that perfect savory kick. While the oven heats up, focus on your pasta water add a large pinch of salt to enhance the flavor of the 12 ounces of linguine.

3-Once your setup is complete, you can move on to cooking. Fresh ingredients like the 3 minced garlic cloves and 5 ounces of baby spinach add a vibrant touch that makes this salmon spinach pasta stand out.

4-Cooking the Salmon and Pasta: Bake the salmon for 14 to 16 minutes until it’s nearly opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. At the same time, cook the linguine in the boiling water according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. This timing ensures your salmon spinach pasta has tender fish and perfectly cooked noodles.

5-In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring to release its aroma. This step builds the base for the creamy sauce that’s key to a great salmon spinach pasta.

6-Pour in 1 1/4 cups of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of dry white wine (or use chicken broth and lemon juice instead), and 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest, along with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 to 6 minutes until the sauce thickens nicely.

7-Combining and Serving: Turn the heat to low and stir in the 5 ounces of baby spinach and 2 tablespoons of capers until the spinach wilts. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet, tossing everything together over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes. For extra creaminess, the pasta mixes well with the sauce from this salmon spinach pasta recipe.

8-Take the salmon out of the oven, slide a spatula between the skin and flesh to remove the skin, and break it into large chunks. Add these chunks to the pasta mixture and serve right away, perhaps with lemon wedges for a fresh garnish. This dish is quick, nutritious, and fits into busy schedules, like when you’re making creamy salmon spinach pasta for dinner.