The 20-Minute Smoked Salmon Pasta You’ll Make on Repeat

This one-pan Smoked Salmon Pasta is a fresh, creamy twist on a classic—easy enough for a weeknight, yet elegant enough to impress. Inspired by a Jamie Oliver recipe, this dish layers scallions, leafy greens, and lasagna sheets with smoked salmon in a pan, topped with lemon zest, creamy cottage cheese, and grated Parmesan. It’s light, vibrant, and packed with flavor—plus, it all comes together in one pan with minimal fuss.

This recipe was inspired by one of my favorite chefs Jamie Oliver, whose take on a simple but elegant pasta dish has become a staple in our household. What I love about this recipe is how it comes together right on the stovetop in under 20 minutes, using just one pan. Instead of layering and baking for an hour, this version has the lasagna noodles cooking directly in the pan with lemon-scented greens and boiling water, creating a light, starchy base that turns into a silky sauce once you stir in cottage cheese, Parmesan, and lemon juice.

And this dish has the perfect balance of richness and brightness. The smoked salmon adds a savory depth, while lemon zest and juice keep everything light and vibrant. It’s the kind of meal that feels elegant but is actually incredibly easy—perfect for a weeknight dinner, brunch, or when you want something a little different without a ton of effort.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• One pan = minimal cleanup — If you’ve been coming to the blog for a while, you know we love a good one-pan recipe! Less mess, less stress, and there’s no need to pre-boil the pasta.
• Ready in under 20 minutes — Makes it the perfect weeknight dinner or meal for the occasions when you want to impress, but don’t want to spend too much time and effort
• Combination of flavors — The richness of the smoked salmon pairs beautifully with sautéed greens and lemon for a balanced, flavor-packed bite.
• Light and creamy — Cottage cheese and a touch of Parmesan create a smooth, creamy sauce that doesn’t weigh the dish down.
• Flexible and customizable — Swap in your favorite leafy greens, herbs, or cheese. This recipe is forgiving and endlessly adaptable!

Ingredients needed

• Lasagna sheets: You’ll need about 4 lasagna sheets, each cut carefully into quarters. No need to boil ahead of time; it’ll cook right in the pan with everything!
• Smoked salmon (torn or cut into pieces): The star of the dish with its salty, smoky flavor and silky texture
• Spinach & kale mix: This will form the base of the dish and add nutrition, color, and texture. Feel free to swap with other greens if desired.
• Scallions: Adds a mild, fresh flavor to enhance the greens we’ll use
• 1 cup boiling water (not pictured): Helps the pasta cook and creates a light, starchy base for the sauce
• Olive oil and salt
• Lemon zest & juice: The zest helps brighten the dish and balance the richness of the salmon, while the juice (which we add at the end) gives the final sauce a tangy freshness.
• Cottage cheese: We love cottage cheese for its creamy, light, and slightly tangy taste, which works perfectly with the other components of this dish.
• Grated Parmesan: Savory, nutty, and melts perfectly into the sauce
• Fresh chopped parsley (optional): A bright garnish to top off the pasta

How to make smoked salmon pasta

1. Prepare the lasagna:
   Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Carefully cut 4 lasagna sheets into large quarters.

2. Sauté the aromatics:
   Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a wide, shallow pan over medium heat. Add the scallions and cook for 1–2 minutes until softened.
   
3. Wilt the greens and add the smoked salmon:
   Add the spinach & kale mix. Sauté for another 2–3 minutes until wilted. Gently stir in the torn smoked salmon, letting the heat gently warm it through without overcooking.

4. Add the lasagna and lemon zest:
   Nestle the lasagna sheets into the pan, add lemon zest, and pour in 1 cup of boiling water, just enough to barely cover the pasta.

5. Cook the lasagna:
   Keep the pan uncovered and boil the lasagna for 4–5 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the pasta has absorbed most of the water and a light sauce remains.

6. Creamy finish:
   Remove the pan from the stovetop. Add lemon juice, cottage cheese, grated Parmesan, and the remaining smoked salmon. Stir gently to create a creamy, light sauce.

7. Top and serve:
   Season with a pinch of salt to taste and serve immediately with fresh chopped parsley on top if desired.

Tips and variations

• Don’t overcook the salmon — Let the heat gently warm it through so that it retains its texture.
• Add more water if needed — If the water is absorbed before the pasta is done, add another splash of boiling water to loosen and cook the pasta more until a sauce remains.
• Cheese substitution — Cottage cheese can be swapped for ricotta if you prefer a richer texture.
• Other herbs for garnish — You can top the pasta with other herbs like fresh dill, chives, or argula.

More one-pan recipes to love from us

• Easy One-Pan Lamb & Veggie Dinner
• One Pot Lemon Chicken & Rice with Kale
• Sheet Pan Cod & Potatoes with Shallots
• One Pot Turmeric Chicken & Rice
• One Pan Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas
• One Pan Bucatini with Mussels
• Sheet Pan Italian Sausage & Vegetables

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