If you’re looking for a bold, flavor-packed dinner that’s on the table fast, Easy Nduja Salmon Pasta (spicy pasta al salmone) is your new go-to recipe. This simple yet impressive dish combines the rich, buttery flavor of salmon with the spicy kick of nduja, all wrapped up in a silky sauce that clings perfectly to your pasta. Whether you are looking to switch up your pasta al salmone or are searching for the ultimate nduja salmon pasta, this easy recipe is guaranteed to become a firm favorite.
Easy Nduja Salmon Pasta (spicy pasta al salmone) is a bold twist on the classic Italian favorite. Traditionally, pasta al salmone features a creamy, delicate sauce, but this version adds a spicy kick with nduja – a soft, fiery Calabrian sausage. The combination of rich salmon, vibrant tomatoes, and creamy nduja sauce creates a dish that's packed with flavor yet incredibly simple to make, perfect for an effortless but impressive meal.
If you like this easy salmon pasta you should also try my Cajun Salmon rigatoni. For other delicious salmon recipes try my Salmon Teriyaki rice bowls or my Spicy Salmon tacos.
Ingredients
Salmon Fillets - Salmon is the heart of any spicy pasta al salmone. I love using salmon because it adds a luxurious, buttery texture that pairs beautifully with the spicy nduja. Roasting the salmon right alongside the tomatoes allows it to stay tender and juicy.
Nduja paste - Nduja is a soft, spicy Calabrian sausage paste that melts beautifully into sauces. I always reach for nduja because it delivers an instant flavor boost – smoky, spicy, and savory – without needing to add loads of extra spices.
Cream Cheese - Adding just a dollop of cream cheese helps to mellow the heat of the nduja and create a silky, creamy sauce that’s classic in spicy pasta al salmone. I like using cream cheese here because it balances the boldness of the nduja without overpowering the salmon.
Tomatoes - Roasted tomatoes bring a juicy sweetness that cuts through the richness of the fish and nduja. Smashing them into the sauce creates bursts of fresh flavor throughout your nduja salmon pasta.
Spinach - I love layering fresh spinach at the bottom of the dish. It wilts beautifully under the hot salmon and tomatoes, adding a subtle earthy flavor and a pop of green to your easy nduja salmon pasta.
Olive Oil - A drizzle of good olive oil adds richness and helps everything roast evenly. In a recipe like this, where simplicity is key, high-quality olive oil really shines.
Seasonings
Salt and Pepper - Essential seasoning to enhance the natural flavors of the salmon, tomatoes, and nduja.
Paprika - A touch of paprika deepens the smoky notes and ties the whole dish together. I like using it because it enhances the nduja’s flavor without adding more heat.
Garlic salt - Garlic salt is one of my favorite "cheat code" ingredients for boosting flavor quickly. In this easy nduja salmon pasta (spicy pasta al salmone), it adds a subtle garlicky depth without the need to mince fresh garlic – perfect for a speedy recipe.
Oregano - While fresh basil finishes the dish, a sprinkle of dried oregano baked with the salmon and tomatoes adds another layer of herby flavor as the pasta cooks.
Fresh Basil - Topping the finished spicy pasta al salmone with fresh basil lifts the dish with an herby freshness. I personally love finishing spicy pasta dishes with basil because it adds a beautiful contrast to the heat.
Lemon juice - A final squeeze of lemon juice over the finished easy nduja salmon pasta (spicy pasta al salmone) brightens the rich, creamy sauce and balances the heat from the nduja.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (392°F). In a baking dish, layer the spinach across the bottom to create a bed for the salmon and tomatoes. Place the salmon fillet(s) and halved tomatoes on top of the spinach. Add a generous dollop of nduja and cream cheese on the side.
- Step 2: Drizzle the olive oil over everything and a little lemon, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and the paprika, oregano and garlic salt, massaging it into the salmon. Roast the dish in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This allows the salmon to cook perfectly while the tomatoes burst and caramelize slightly.
- Step 3: Halfway through the salmon’s roasting time (around the 10-minute mark), bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your favorite pasta until al dente. Make sure to reserve a little pasta water – it’s liquid gold for bringing the sauce together. Once the salmon and tomatoes are cooked, use a fork to break up the salmon and lightly smash the roasted tomatoes. This releases their juices, creating a naturally rich sauce infused with the flavor of nduja and cream cheese.
- Step 4: Add the drained pasta directly into the baking dish. Pour in a splash of the reserved pasta water and stir everything together until the sauce clings to every strand of pasta. Scatter over the chopped basil for a fresh, fragrant finish and squeeze over the remaining lemon.
Hint: Once roasted, be sure to really smash the tomatoes into the sauce. Their natural juices create a fresh, flavorful base that blends with the nduja and cream cheese, making your nduja salmon pasta taste fresh yet rich. This simple step brings your whole spicy pasta al salmone sauce together beautifully.
Substitutions
Salmon Fillets – Substitute with trout for a similar rich flavor or chicken breast for a milder, less fishy alternative.
Cream Cheese – Try mascarpone for an even creamier texture or Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier option.
Nduja – Swap with sriracha mixed with a little chorizo for a similar spicy, smoky effect or use harissa for a North African-inspired heat.
Tomatoes – Use roasted red peppers for a sweeter, smoky flavor or sun-dried tomatoes for an intense, concentrated burst of taste.
Spinach – Replace with kale for a heartier green or rocket (arugula) for a peppery, fresh bite.
Olive Oil – Substitute with avocado oil for a neutral, healthy fat or butter for a richer, more decadent flavor.
Salt & Pepper – Use smoked salt for a deeper, barbecue-like taste or soy sauce for an umami-rich boost.
Paprika – Try smoked paprika for a deeper, richer flavor or cayenne pepper for an extra spicy kick.
Oregano – Substitute with dried basil for a sweeter, more aromatic note or thyme for a subtle earthiness.
Garlic Salt – Swap for fresh minced garlic and a pinch of salt for a stronger flavor or onion salt for a sweeter, mellow alternative.
Lemon Juice – Use white wine vinegar for a similar acidity or lime juice for a sharper, zesty twist.
Basil – Replace with parsley for a fresher, grassier note or mint for a bright, cooling contrast.
Variations
Creamier Version - Stir an extra tablespoon of cream cheese or a splash of double cream into the sauce before adding the pasta. This creates a richer, creamier nduja salmon pasta that’s extra luxurious.
Veggie Boost - Add roasted courgettes, peppers, or artichokes to the baking dish. This gives a veggie-loaded spicy pasta al salmone that’s even more colorful and hearty.
Baked topping - Before serving, sprinkle over some toasted breadcrumbs mixed with a little parmesan for a crispy topping. It adds a lovely texture contrast to the nduja salmon pasta and gives your spicy pasta al salmone an irresistible, restaurant-style finish.
Equipment
Storage
If you have leftovers of this easy nduja salmon pasta (spicy pasta al salmone), you're in luck because it reheats beautifully! Allow the pasta to cool completely, then transfer it into an airtight container. It will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or a little cream to loosen the sauce, then gently warm the pasta in a pan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between to keep the sauce creamy and prevent it from drying out. For best results, reheat only what you plan to eat, as repeated reheating can overcook the salmon.
While you can technically freeze this nduja salmon pasta, the texture of the salmon and sauce is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated, not frozen. The spinach and cream cheese can become watery after thawing, changing the final texture of the dish.
Top Tip
If you’re sensitive to spice, use a slightly smaller amount of nduja and balance the heat by adding a little extra cream cheese. This trick softens the spice without losing the beautiful smoky flavor, keeping your nduja salmon pasta rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced.
FAQ
Pennette al salmone is a classic Italian pasta dish made with penne pasta, smoked or fresh salmon, and a creamy tomato or cream-based sauce. It's rich, silky, and full of delicate seafood flavor, often finished with a touch of herbs like dill, parsley, or basil.
To make salmon pasta, you typically need pasta, fresh or smoked salmon, cream or cream cheese, tomatoes or tomato paste, olive oil, garlic, seasoning like salt, pepper, and herbs, and sometimes a touch of lemon for brightness. Optional extras like spinach, nduja, or chili flakes add even more flavor.
Nduja has a spicy, smoky, and slightly tangy flavor with a soft, spreadable texture. It's rich with the depth of fermented pork and chilies, giving dishes like nduja salmon pasta a bold, fiery kick that's balanced by its natural fattiness and a hint of sweetness from the peppers.
Related
Looking for other salmon recipes? Try these:
Pasta
These are my favorite pasta recipes to try after this nduja salmon pasta (spicy pasta al salmone):
Recipe
Easy Nduja Salmon Pasta (spicy pasta al salmone)
Equipment
- Oven dish
- Pasta pot
Ingredients
- 250 g salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon nduja
- 200 g tomatoes halved
- 150 g spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 5 g chopped basil
- ½ lemon juice
- 150 g pasta
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (392°F). In a baking dish, layer the spinach across the bottom to create a bed for the salmon and tomatoes. Place the salmon fillet(s) and halved tomatoes on top of the spinach. Add a generous dollop of nduja and cream cheese on the side.250 g salmon fillets, 1 tbsp cream cheese, 1 tbsp nduja, 200 g tomatoes, 150 g spinach, 1 tbsp olive oil
- Drizzle the olive oil over everything and a little of the lemon juice, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and the paprika, oregano and garlic salt, massaging it into the salmon. Roast the dish in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This allows the salmon to cook perfectly while the tomatoes burst and caramelize slightly.Salt and pepper, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1 tsp oregano, ½ lemon
- Halfway through the salmon’s roasting time (around the 10-minute mark), bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your favorite pasta until al dente. Make sure to reserve a little pasta water – it’s liquid gold for bringing the sauce together. Once the salmon and tomatoes are cooked, use a fork to break up the salmon and lightly smash the roasted tomatoes. This releases their juices, creating a naturally rich sauce infused with the flavor of nduja and cream cheese.150 g pasta
- Add the drained pasta directly into the baking dish. Pour in a splash of the reserved pasta water and stir everything together until the sauce clings to every strand of pasta. Scatter over the chopped basil for a fresh, fragrant finish and squeeze over the remaining lemon juice.5 g chopped basil
