With over 2. This easy but nice Creamy Salmon Pasta recipe has gotten 8 million page views since 2018. It’s my most popular recipe. This dish is fancy enough for a date night at home. It has roasted salmon, spinach, capers, pasta, and a creamy white wine sauce.
This is it! The most popular recipe in the history of Foxes Love Lemons. The most likely reason you’re reading this is because you searched for “salmon pasta” or “pasta with salmon” or a mix of those words.
Welcome! I hope that this recipe is everything you’re looking for and more. I hope you’ll stay for some of my other well-known recipes, like my potato cakes, crockpot beef stroganoff, and Mexican street corn salad.
But are you ready to see what all the fuss is about with this creamy salmon pasta recipe? I’ll let some of the 1300 reviews (averaging 4.5 stars) speak for themselves. 5 stars) speak for themselves:
Salmon pasta dishes like salmon alfredo or salmon pesto are classic, delicious meals. The combination of tender pasta, creamy or herbaceous sauce, and flaky salmon is hard to beat. But what about the leftovers from these hearty dishes? Can you safely freeze cooked salmon pasta for later?
The short answer is yes, you can freeze cooked salmon pasta dishes. But the right way to freeze and reheat food is important to keep the texture and flavor of both the pasta and the salmon.
This article will tell you everything you need to know to freeze and reheat cooked salmon pasta. I’ll cover:
- How to freeze cooked salmon pasta
- Tips for optimal freezing
- How long it lasts in the freezer
- The best way to reheat frozen salmon pasta
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
How to Freeze Cooked Salmon Pasta
Freezing cooked salmon pasta is simple. Here are the basic steps:
- Let the pasta dish cool completely before freezing. You want it at room temperature or just slightly warm.
- Transfer the pasta to airtight, freezer-safe containers. Good options include plastic freezer bags, plastic containers, or aluminum foil pans with plastic wrap.
- Remove as much air from the containers as possible before sealing. You can use a straw to suck out excess air. Getting rid of air helps prevent freezer burn.
- Label the containers with the contents and freeze date. Include reheating instructions too.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Place containers flat in the coldest part of your freezer, which is usually the back bottom shelf.
Tips for Optimal Freezing
Follow these tips to ensure your frozen salmon pasta retains maximum flavor and texture
- Don’t overcook the pasta before freezing. It will continue cooking as it freezes. Undercook it very slightly instead.
- Freeze pasta sauces separately from cooked pasta. This prevents the pasta from getting soggy.
- Portion into meal-sized amounts before freezing. This makes reheating easier.
- Use freezer bags rather than plastic containers if freezing for over a month. Plastic can absorb funky freezer odors over time.
How Long Does Frozen Salmon Pasta Last?
Properly stored in a freezer at 0°F or below, frozen cooked salmon pasta will last for 2-3 months before quality starts to decline.
Pasta tends to get mushy and dried out when frozen for longer than 3 months. The proteins in salmon also start to degrade, causing texture and flavor changes.
For best results try to eat frozen salmon pasta within 2 months. Portioning into meal-sized amounts before freezing helps reduce waste.
How to Reheat Frozen Salmon Pasta
Reheating frozen salmon pasta requires some care to avoid drying it out. Here is the best method:
- Thaw the frozen salmon pasta overnight in the refrigerator. For a quick thaw, run the freezer bag or storage container under cold water.
- Transfer the thawed pasta dish to a microwave-safe bowl. Add a tablespoon or two of milk, cream, or pasta water. This keeps it moist.
- Cover the bowl loosely with a paper towel or plastic wrap.
- Microwave on Medium power in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through – around 3-5 minutes total depending on portion size.
- Alternatively, you can reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding splashes of milk or cream to moisten as it cooks.
The pasta may seem a bit mushy after reheating from frozen. Fluffing it with a fork helps revive the texture. The salmon may flake apart somewhat too. That’s normal for reheated frozen fish.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
It’s easy to go wrong when freezing salmon pasta. Here are some common mistakes and fixes:
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Soggy pasta – Don’t freeze pasta and sauce combined. Freeze them separately.
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Freezer burn – Use airtight packaging and remove excess air before sealing.
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Funky odors – Use freezer bags rather than plastic containers for long-term storage.
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Dry, mushy pasta – Don’t overfreeze. Eat within 2-3 months for best quality.
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Dry salmon – Add milk, cream or pasta water when reheating to keep it moist.
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Uneven heating – Microwave in short intervals and stir frequently to prevent hot and cold spots.
Tips for Freezing Leftover Pasta With Other Proteins
The techniques in this article apply to freezing leftover pasta dishes made with proteins besides salmon, including:
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Shrimp pasta – Freeze raw, peeled shrimp separately from sauce and pasta.
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Chicken pasta – Cool fully before freezing, use airtight packaging.
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Meat pasta – Portion into meal sizes. Freeze meat apart from sauce and pasta.
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Sausage pasta – Freeze for up to 1 month for best flavor.
Enjoy Your Frozen Salmon Pasta!
Freezing and reheating salmon pasta is easy when you follow the proper techniques. With optimal freezing and careful reheating, your leftover salmon pesto or other creamy pasta dish can be just as delicious as the freshly made version.
Use freezer-safe packaging, portion into meal sizes, and don’t overfreeze. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding liquid to prevent drying out.
With this complete guide, you can feel confident freezing and reheating leftover salmon pasta for easy, delicious meals for up to 3 months. Enjoy!
This creamy salmon pasta is perfect for a special meal or date night at home, but fast and easy enough for a weeknight, too!
For a “date night” or a special dinner at home, this creamy salmon pasta recipe is great. My husband and I often make it for Valentine’s Day.
When my parents took me out to dinner when I was in college, I always ordered either a steak or some kind of seafood (usually seafood pasta, which seemed to be a popular item at the time). Feeling nostalgic, I thought about this.
I was living in the dorms, and the cafeterias weren’t known for having great seafood. And let’s face it: whatever they attempted, the pasta was ALWAYS overcooked.
When I had the chance to treat myself to a fancy meal out, I always chose either a steak or seafood. When I eat out or at home, seafood pasta like salmon alfredo is still one of my favorite “luxury” meals.
This creamy salmon pasta tastes like a treat every time, even when I add a whole box of spinach to it. Pasta is mixed with a creamy sauce that tastes like white wine and lemons. Large pieces of roasted salmon and capers are added.
There’s nothing fancy about this pasta with salmon—all you have to do is cook some pasta, make a simple cream sauce, and roast some salmon.
You can do this, and on a weeknight, even!
Home Chef Tips for Pasta with Salmon
- If it’s hot outside and you don’t want to heat up the oven, you can cook the salmon in the instant pot (without the potatoes) or on the grill instead of roasting it.
- For this recipe, I just added salt and pepper to the salmon. If you have lemons and rosemary or thyme, you can cook it like my sockeye salmon recipe, which is even better.
One-Pan Creamy Salmon Pasta | Easy, Healthy & Done in 30 Minutes
FAQ
Can you freeze cooked salmon dishes?
Can you reheat cooked salmon pasta?
How long does cooked salmon pasta last in the fridge?
Can I freeze seafood pasta?
Can you freeze salmon pasta?
Yes, you can freeze this creamy salmon pasta recipe after you’ve cooked it. Here’s how: First, make sure your pasta has cooled down to room temp. Place it in an airtight and freezer-safe container. Store it in your freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost, you can store it in the fridge overnight.
Is fresh salmon safe to eat?
Yes, salmon is a source of omega 3, the fatty acid is responsible for acting in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, making the heart strong and healthy. Just be careful to analyze the supplier to make sure it doesn’t have any contamination.
Can you freeze salmon with sauce?
Wrap each piece tightly in good quality parchment paper. This will prevent it from sticking to the plastic. Place in a freezer grade plastic bag and remove as much air as possible. Seal, label and date each bag. Place in the coldest portion of the freezer and don’t stack anything on top of them. Avoid freezing salmon with sauces.
Can You refreeze cooked salmon?
It’s not recommended to refreeze cooked salmon that has been previously frozen. The quality and texture of the salmon may deteriorate if it is refrozen. Should I season the salmon before freezing it? It’s best to season the salmon before cooking it rather than seasoning it before freezing.