Salmon Lemon Penne
Submitted by Carlaeastman
Salmon lemon penne pairs grilled salmon and roasted red peppers with a bright lemon Alfredo sauce over penne. A weeknight pasta that eats like restaurant food.
YIELD
4 servingsPREP
10 minCOOK
25 minREADY
40 minSalmon lemon penne turns a jar of Alfredo into a restaurant plate. Store-bought Alfredo sauce mix gets woken up with fresh lemon juice and grated zest, which cuts the richness and stops the sauce from feeling heavy over penne.
Brushing the salmon with a mayo-basil mixture before broiling is the move that makes it. Mayonnaise sounds weird on fish, but the oil and acid baste keeps the salmon from drying out under the broiler while the basil perfumes the crust. It browns beautifully.
Cooking the peppers right alongside the salmon gets two components done on one tray. The peppers blister and go sweet, the skins peel off with a pinch. Slice them into ribbons and toss with the hot pasta so they warm the noodles from the inside.
Chef Tips
- Undercook the pasta by a minute. It finishes in the sauce.
- Use a Microplane for the lemon zest, the fine shreds dissolve into the sauce without leaving bitter white pith behind.
- Broil salmon skin-side down on a foil-lined sheet for easy cleanup and crispy skin that peels right off.
- Rest the salmon 3 minutes before cutting so the juices redistribute.
Variations
Ingredients
Directions
In a large pot of salted water, cook the penne for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender but firm.
In a saucepan combine the sauce mix, milk and butter.
Bring to boil over med-high heat, stirring constantly.
Reduce heat to med-low and add lemon juice and rind.
Cook uncovered 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine mayonnaise and basil.
Cut salmon fillets into 3 to 4 portions, brush with mayonnaise mixture.
Broil or grill the salmon and peppers for 5 to 10 minutes, turning once, until salmon starts to flake and peppers are softened.
Cut peppers into strips; remove skin from salmon and cut into chunks.
Drain pasta; return to saucepan.
Add peppers and sauce, toss well.
Place pasta and sauce on plate, top with salmon.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves, serve immediately
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