Delightfully Light Salmon Alfredo

June 05, 2023

This Salmon Alfredo recipe gives you all the flavors of a classic alfredo dish, but it’s way healthier.

Instead of heavy cream and butter, I use skim milk, a touch of cornstarch, and just three tablespoons of Parmesan cheese to create a creamy and flavorful sauce.

As for the pasta, I combine classic wheat spaghetti with spiralized zucchini noodles, incorporating both vegetables without going TOO crazy with the carbs.

I was really happy with how it turned out, I hope you enjoy it!

And if you are following the weight watchers program it’s just 4 points per serving.

Salmon Alfredo Recipe Overview

Servings: 3

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes

Weight Watchers Points: 4 points per serving

Ingredients in Salmon Alfredo

1 cup (100g) spaghetti (uncooked weight)
10.5 ounce (300g) salmon fillets, cut into rounds
30g Parmesan cheese
2 medium-sized zucchinis (approximately 300g each)
1 ½ cups skimmed milk
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon oil
1 garlic clove
Salt and pepper to taste

A Note on Ingredients

Salmon fillets: Use fresh salmon fillets cut into rounds.
Skim milk: Use skim milk as the base for the sauce, providing a lighter option compared to traditional cream.
Cornstarch: Add cornstarch to thicken the sauce .
Parmesan cheese: Incorporate a small amount of grated Parmesan cheese to add flavor.
Spaghetti: Combine traditional wheat spaghetti to create a classic base for the pasta.
Zucchini: Include zucchini noodles as a healthy and low-carb alternative to traditional pasta, adding extra vegetables to the dish.
Garlic: Add chopped garlic to enhance the flavor and depth of the sauce.
Salt and pepper: Season with salt and pepper to taste, enhancing the flavors of the ingredients.
Pinch of oil: Use a pinch of oil to sauté the salmon and garlic, providing flavor and preventing the ingredients from sticking to the pan.

Instructions for making Salmon Alfredo

Prepare the zucchini noodles using a spiralizer or vegetable peeler to create thin strips resembling spaghetti.
Cook the spaghetti until al dente, then drain.
Marinate the salmon rounds with, garlic, salt and pepper, and cook them in a skillet until nicely browned.
Cook the zucchini noodles in the same skillet until slightly softened.
In a separate bowl, whisk together skim milk and cornstarch until smooth.
Pour the milk mixture into the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens.
Add Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until melted. Add the cooked spaghetti, sautéed zucchini, and seared salmon to the skillet with the sauce, tossing everything together until well coated.
Cook for an additional minute to heat through and meld the flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Variations and substitutions

Protein Variation: Instead of salmon, you can use chicken, which is a classic combination in Alfredo pasta recipes. Simply substitute the salmon with cooked and diced chicken breast.
Cheese Variation: Instead of using Parmesan cheese, you can try a bit of Roquefort. This option allows you to use a small amount of cheese with a lot of flavor, avoiding the addition of too many calories to the dish.
Pasta Variation: Instead of using traditional wheat spaghetti, opt for zucchini spaghetti (also known as zoodles). This will give the dish a lighter and healthier touch, perfect for a dinner.
Additional Vegetables: Add extra vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, or bell peppers to enhance the dish. You can sauté these vegetables separately and then mix them with the Alfredo sauce to add color, flavor, and nutritional value.

Tips and Tricks Section for Salmon Alfredo

Sear the salmon in a hot skillet to create a crispy outer layer. This adds texture and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Use the same skillet where you seared the salmon to prepare the sauce. This allows the flavors from the salmon to infuse into the sauce, adding depth and richness.
Dissolve the cornstarch in room temperature milk to avoid clumps. Make sure to whisk the mixture well to prevent any lumps from forming.
If you prefer a creamier consistency, add a little more skim milk to the sauce. This will give it a smoother texture and a richer taste.
Alternatively, you can add a small amount of fish broth to the sauce for an extra depth of seafood flavor.

Related Recipes

Be sure to check out these other healthy pasta recipes. And if you are looking for another salmon main dish, you’ll love this salmon piccata.

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Salmon Alfredo

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Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 3 people

Calories 378

In this post, I present to you a delightful pasta Alfredo recipe that deviates from the traditional ingredients of heavy cream and butter.

Ingredients

100 g spaghetti (uncooked weight)
300 g salmon fillets, cut into rounds
30 g Parmesan cheese
2 medium-sized zucchinis (approximately 300g each)
1 ½ cups skimmed milk
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp oil
1 garlic clove
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the zucchini noodles using a spiralizer. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use a vegetable peeler to create thin strips resembling spaghetti. Set the zucchini noodles aside.
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions
In a shallow dish, marinate the salmon rounds with crushed garlic, a pinch of salt and pepper. Let them sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Place the marinated salmon rounds in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until nicely browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly softened. Remove the zucchini from the skillet and set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the skimmed milk and cornstarch until well combined and no lumps remain. Lower the heat to medium and pour the milk mixture into the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until melted and well incorporated.
Return the cooked spaghetti, sautéed zucchini, and seared salmon to the skillet with the sauce. Gently toss everything together until well coated.
Cook for an additional minute, allowing the ingredients to heat through and the flavors to meld together. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the Salmon Alfredo Pasta immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Enjoy your guilt-free and delicious Salmon Alfredo Pasta!

Notes

Makes 3 servings
4 ww points per serving

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contribute to a daily diet. 2000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
** Amount is based on ingredients that specify value for this nutrient and 0 for those that don’t.

Calories: 378kcal

Nutrition

The post Delightfully Light Salmon Alfredo appeared first on Drizzle Me Skinny!.

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