My new favorite pasta is everything I want in a lox bagel, but in a one-pot pasta dish that I can justify having for lunch or dinner! Honestly, I would also have a lox bagel for lunch or dinner, but this smoked salmon pasta seems a bit more appropriate for a hearty meal. This dish combines pasta with a sauce made of cream cheese, which melts perfectly into a tangy, creamy sauce studded with capers and bits of chopped smoked salmon.
A Twist on a Classic
When I first envisioned this recipe, I planned to use regular, plain cream cheese. However, at the grocery store, I noticed a chive and onion flavored cream cheese right next to the regular kind. I thought this would be perfect because those are already the flavors I want in my lox bagel. If you don’t happen to find the chive and onion flavor, regular cream cheese works just as well.
My favorite way to eat a lox bagel is with a perfectly ripe tomato. When it’s tomato season, I like to simply dice up a large fresh tomato and stir it into the cooked pasta. This slightly warms the tomato yet retains its freshness. If I can’t get my hands on a good tomato, I sauté a bell pepper instead, which gives the dish a fresh, crunchy bite.
Recipe: Smoked Salmon Pasta
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. pasta (I like a short cut like fusilli, farfalle, or penne)
- 1 bell pepper, any color, diced (or 1 large fresh tomato, diced)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz. cream cheese (preferably chive and onion flavor)
- 1/4 cup capers
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 6-8 oz hot or cold smoked salmon, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Optional Garnishes:
- Green onion
- Handful of fresh spinach or arugula
- Everything bagel seasoning
Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta: Bring water to a boil, add salt to taste, and boil the pasta until al dente.
2. Prepare Vegetables:
- If using bell pepper: Sauté lightly in a skillet with a small amount of oil or cooking spray.
- If using tomatoes: Simply dice the tomato and set it aside. You don’t need a skillet for this step.
3. Combine Ingredients:
- When the pasta is al dente, save a cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
- Return the pasta to the pot and add in the cream cheese, capers, and garlic. Stir to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
- Once the cream cheese has melted into the pasta, mix in the smoked salmon and lemon juice. The pasta will have cooled slightly and won’t overcook the salmon.
4. Serve and Garnish:
- Serve the pasta topped with green onions and a handful of fresh spinach or arugula on the side of your bowl or mixed in to add a little bright freshness.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning.
Enjoy Your Smoked Salmon Pasta
This smoked salmon pasta is a delightful twist on the classic lox bagel. It’s a versatile dish that’s perfect for any meal, combining the creamy tang of cream cheese with the savory goodness of smoked salmon and the fresh bite of capers and veggies. Whether you’re using a ripe tomato or a crunchy bell pepper, this dish is sure to become a new favorite. Enjoy it with a glass of wine or beer, and savor the flavors of this quick and easy pasta recipe.
Discover a quick and easy Smoked Salmon Pasta recipe that transforms your favorite lox bagel flavors into a delicious one-pot meal. This creamy pasta dish features chive and onion cream cheese, capers, smoked salmon, and fresh veggies like bell peppers or tomatoes. Perfect for lunch or dinner, this recipe brings together tangy, savory, and fresh elements in a satisfying bowl. Garnish with green onions, fresh spinach or arugula, and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning for an extra burst of flavor.
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