Creamy paccheri pasta with salmon, mint, and saffron

Name: Creamy paccheri pasta with salmon, mint, and saffron
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 18 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: En
Ingredients: 6 oz paccheri; 4 oz fresh salmon, cleaned; ⅓ cup cream cheese; ½ tsp saffron; ½ small onion; 2 tbsp dry white wine; A few fresh mint leaves; Olive oil to taste; Salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

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Main Dish

Very Easy

18 min

617 Kcal

Creamy paccheri with salmon, mint and saffron is an aromatic, elegant first course full of character, perfect when you want to serve a pasta dish that wins you over with its color alone. The warm yellow of the saffron, the smoothness of the cream cheese and the intense flavor of fresh salmon come together in a velvety sauce that coats every pacchero in a delicate, irresistible cream sauce. Fresh mint adds a lively note that makes the dish feel lighter on the palate, balancing the saltiness of the salmon with its fresh, aromatic fragrance. The result is creamy salmon pasta that is smooth, colorful and comforting, ideal for a special dinner, a Sunday lunch or a chance to serve an unusual fish-based first course. These salmon paccheri have everything that makes you want to dig in straight away: creaminess, fragrance, color and a delicious balance of sea, freshness and delicacy. Served hot, with their rich, enveloping creaminess and the fragrance of freshly added mint, they become one of those fish-based first courses that leave a lasting impression from the very first bite.

Materials

Knife
Cutting board
Frying pan
Pot

Preparation

Preparation5 min

Cook time13 min

Remove any bones from the fresh salmon, remove the skin, and cut it into cubes.
Finely chop the onion and sauté it in a pan with a drizzle of oil over low heat. Add the salmon cubes and brown them for a few minutes, turning them gently so they don’t fall apart too much.
Add the white wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the paccheri until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Dissolve the saffron in a little hot cooking water, stirring well with a teaspoon.
Pour the diluted saffron into the pan with the salmon and add the Philadelphia cream cheese as well.
Add a little of the cooking liquid and stir gently over low heat until the sauce is smooth and velvety. Then add the chopped fresh mint and stir again so that the flavor permeates the entire sauce.
Drain the paccheri when they are al dente and transfer them directly to the pan with the salmon sauce.
Gently toss the pasta, adding more pasta water only if necessary, until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta well. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper.
Serve the creamy salmon paccheri immediately, adding a sprinkle of fresh mint, if desired.

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FAQ ❓

How do you make creamy salmon, mint and saffron paccheri perfectly?

To make creamy, comforting paccheri, cook the pasta until al dente and gradually toss the sauce with a little pasta cooking water at a time. This keeps the cream cheese, salmon and saffron sauce velvety, smooth and well combined with the paccheri.

Can I use frozen salmon for creamy paccheri?

Yes, you can use frozen salmon, as long as it is thawed safely. Let it thaw slowly in the refrigerator, preferably overnight, in a covered container. Don’t leave it at room temperature; pat it dry well before browning it so the sauce stays creamy rather than watery.

Can I substitute the fresh salmon in this recipe?

Yes, you can replace the fresh salmon with sea trout, fresh tuna or diced swordfish. The result will be different, but it will still be a creamy, aromatic fish-based first course, especially if you keep the combination of saffron and fresh mint.

What does saffron do in paccheri with salmon and mint?

Saffron gives the pasta an inviting golden color and a warm, slightly spicy aroma. It pairs well with salmon because it enhances its flavor without overpowering it, creating an elegant balance with the freshness of the mint.

Can creamy salmon paccheri be prepared ahead of time?

You can prepare the sauce with salmon, cream cheese and saffron ahead of time, but it’s best to cook the paccheri just before serving. Freshly drained pasta absorbs the sauce better and stays softer, glossier and more enjoyable to eat.

How should creamy salmon, mint and saffron paccheri be stored?

Store creamy salmon paccheri in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Before serving them again, reheat them gently in a pan with a splash of water or milk so the sauce becomes soft and creamy again.

Nutrition

for 1 serving / for 100 g

Calories: 617Kcal

Carbo: 60.8g
Total fat: 24.5g
Saturated fat: 8.4g
Proteins: 25.3g
Fibers: 3.6g
Sugar: 5g
ProPoints: 15
SmartPoints: 19

Nutritional information for 1 serving (229g)

Cookware

burner

Attributes

Keep refrigerated

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Daniele Mainieri

Every day, I dive into the world of food and wine with curiosity, always looking for new flavours, recipes and inspiring discoveries to share. From traditional family dishes to the latest food trends, including pairings that make all the difference. I’ve been working in food & wine communication for over 10 years and I’m currently the Editorial Manager for the Italian edition of Petitchef.

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