Japanese Pan-fried Salmon Pasta (Printable Version)
Crispy pan-seared salmon meets soy-infused pasta for a quick and easy Japanese fusion main.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 4 salmon fillets, skin-on, approximately 5 ounces each
→ Pasta
02 - 12 ounces spaghetti
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
05 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced, plus extra for garnish
→ Sauce
06 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
07 - 2 tablespoons mirin
08 - 1 tablespoon sake, optional
09 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
10 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
→ Garnishes
11 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
12 - Lemon wedges, optional
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the skin is crisp. Flip and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until just cooked through. Remove fillets and set aside.
04 - Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add minced garlic and half the sliced scallions, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), and unsalted butter to the skillet. Stir until the butter melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Add drained spaghetti to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat with sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency. Drizzle with sesame oil.
07 - Flake salmon into large pieces and gently fold into the pasta, or arrange whole fillets on top.
08 - Divide pasta among plates. Sprinkle with remaining scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with lemon wedges on the side if desired.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Quick weeknight dinner ready in 35 minutes
- Combines rich salmon with umami-packed Japanese flavors
02 -
- Contains fish, soy, wheat (from soy sauce and pasta), and sesame
- Check soy sauce for gluten-free options; tamari can be substituted
03 -
- Add a tablespoon of miso paste to the sauce for extra umami
- Substitute spaghetti with udon or soba noodles for a twist