There are some meals that look like they came straight from a restaurant kitchen but are surprisingly simple to prepare at home. This garlic butter pasta with grilled salmon is one of those dishes.
The recipe brings together tender grilled salmon, buttery garlic pasta, fresh tomatoes, scallions and feta cheese for a dinner that feels elegant without being overly complicated. It is colorful, filling and packed with fresh flavor in every bite.
The pasta serves as the foundation of the meal. It is tossed in a warm garlic butter sauce with diced baby tomatoes and freshly sliced scallions. The tomatoes add a light sweetness and freshness, while the scallions provide a mild onion flavor that works beautifully with the butter and garlic.
The grilled salmon is seasoned simply so that its natural flavor remains the star of the dish. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and fresh lemon juice give the salmon a savory, slightly smoky flavor without overpowering it.
Once the salmon is grilled and placed over the pasta, it is topped with sliced grape tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese. The fresh tomatoes brighten the entire dish, while the feta adds a salty and slightly tangy finish.
Garlic Butter Pasta with Grilled Salmon, Tomatoes and Feta
Preparation time: About 20 minutes
Cooking time: About 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the grilled salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets, approximately 5 to 6 ounces each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Juice from half a lemon
For the garlic butter pasta:
- 12 ounces linguine, spaghetti or fettuccine
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup baby tomatoes, diced
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- Juice from half a lemon
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Up to ½ cup reserved pasta water
For the topping:
- 6 to 8 grape tomatoes, sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh parsley
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges, optional
Preparing the Salmon
Begin by patting the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Removing the excess moisture will help the salmon cook evenly and develop a better exterior on the grill.
Brush both sides of each fillet with olive oil. Season the salmon with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Finish the seasoning with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Allow the salmon to rest for a few minutes while the grill or grill pan heats.
Grilling the Salmon
Heat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the cooking surface to help prevent the fish from sticking.
Place the salmon on the hot grill and cook it for approximately four to five minutes on the first side. Carefully turn each fillet and continue cooking for another three to five minutes.
The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the salmon. It should be opaque through the center and flake easily when gently tested with a fork.
Remove the salmon from the heat and allow it to rest while the pasta is prepared.
Preparing the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until it is al dente.
Before draining the pasta, carefully reserve about half a cup of the cooking water. The starchy pasta water can be added to the sauce later to help create a smooth and silky consistency.
Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Making the Garlic Butter Sauce
Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and olive oil and allow the butter to melt.
Add the minced garlic and cook it for approximately one minute. Stir continuously and watch it carefully so that it becomes fragrant without burning.
Add the diced baby tomatoes, sliced scallions and crushed red pepper flakes, if using. Cook the vegetables for approximately three to four minutes.
The tomatoes should begin to soften and release some of their juices, but they should not completely break down. Keeping some texture in the tomatoes gives the finished pasta a fresher taste.
Bringing the Dish Together
Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
Add the fresh lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. If the pasta appears dry, gradually add small amounts of the reserved pasta water until the sauce lightly coats every strand.
Taste the pasta and season it with additional salt and black pepper as needed.
Divide the garlic butter pasta among four plates. Place one grilled salmon fillet over each serving.
Top the salmon with sliced grape tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese. Finish the plates with fresh parsley, freshly ground black pepper and an additional squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
Tiffany’s Cooking Tips
Be careful not to overcook the salmon. Salmon continues cooking slightly after it is removed from the heat, so taking it off the grill as soon as it flakes easily will help keep it tender and moist.
Fresh garlic makes a noticeable difference in the pasta sauce. Because garlic is one of the main flavors in this recipe, freshly minced cloves are preferable to pre-minced garlic whenever possible.
Do not cook the tomatoes for too long. The diced tomatoes in the pasta should be warm and slightly softened, while the sliced grape tomatoes on top of the salmon should remain fresh.
The reserved pasta water is also important. Adding just a few tablespoons can help the butter, olive oil and Parmesan come together into a smooth sauce that clings to the pasta.
For additional flavor, the feta cheese can be placed on top of the salmon during the final minute of cooking. This will warm the cheese slightly without completely melting it.
Serving Suggestions
This garlic butter pasta with grilled salmon can be served on its own as a complete meal. It also pairs well with roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, a crisp garden salad or warm garlic bread.
The combination of buttery pasta and rich salmon is balanced by the freshness of the tomatoes, scallions and lemon. The feta cheese adds just enough sharpness to bring all the flavors together.
This is the kind of recipe that works equally well for a quiet weeknight dinner, a Sunday meal or a special occasion. It looks impressive on the plate, but the ingredients and preparation remain approachable for home cooks.
That is what Cooking with Tiffany is all about—taking familiar ingredients, adding a little creativity and turning them into something comforting, flavorful and worth sharing.