Creamy Salmon and Leek Pasta

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Servings: 2
Yield: 2 servings

Description

This creamy seafood pasta made with leeks, salmon, and crème fraiche is a quick weeknight meal and perfect for two.

Ingredients

1/2 (8 ounce) package spaghetti
1 tablespoon butter
1 large leek - light parts only, rinsed, and chopped
salt to taste
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 cup creme fraiche
1 teaspoon tarragon Dijon mustard
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
6 ounces skinless, boneless salmon, sliced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro, or to taste

Directions

1 Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain; return to the pot.
2 Melt butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add leek; cook and stir until slightly softened, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with salt; add white wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Simmer until most liquid evaporated, about 5 minutes.
3 Stir crème fraîche, mustard, and 1 pinch cayenne pepper into leek mixture; reduce heat to low and cook until warmed, about 5 minutes. Add salmon to sauté pan; cook and stir until salmon starts to flake and is no longer pink in centers, 2 to 3 minutes. Off heat, stir in cilantro. Pour salmon sauce over spaghetti; toss to coat. Season with remaining 1 pinch cayenne pepper.