Creamy Garlic Butter Spaghetti & Salmon

Servings: 2 | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 15 mins

A perfect summertime main dish - filled with flavor and all the fresh deliciousness!

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets

• Olive oil, for pan-searing salmon

• 6 oz spaghetti

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated

• ½ cup heavy cream

• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan (plus more for topping)

• ¼ cup reserved pasta water (adjust as needed)

• Zest of ½ a lemon

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley, to garnish

Instructions:

1. Pat dry salmon fillets using a paper towel. Season with salt and fresh black pepper.

2. Heat a large skillet to medium-high and coat with olive oil. Place the fillets skin-side up and cook without moving them for 4 minutes. Flip over so they’re skin up, turn the heat down to medium and cook for another 4 minutes (feel free to adjust these times if your salmon is thicker or thinner, per your preference.) Remove from pan and set aside.

3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.

4. While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, but not browned.

5. Lower the heat slightly and stir in the heavy cream. Let it bubble gently for 1-2 minutes to thicken slightly.

6. Stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency - it should lightly coat the back of a spoon.

7. Add drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat. Season generously with black pepper and salt to taste. Add lemon zest.

8. Top with more Parmesan and parsley. Serve alongside your pan-seared salmon and enjoy!