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A table set with Valentine’s dinner pasta dishes, ready for a romantic meal.

Romantic Salmon & Shrimp Duet Pasta

This elegant recipe offers two delightful pasta dishes in one: a creamy salmon tagliatelle and a lemony shrimp linguine, perfect for a romantic meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 2 people
Calories 650 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 12 oz fresh tagliatelle or linguine

Seafood

  • 6 oz salmon fillet, flaked
  • 8 large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 shallot, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated for serving
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions
 

Cooking the Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the tagliatelle or linguine until al dente according to package directions.
  • Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.

Preparing the Salmon

  • Pat the salmon fillet dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
  • Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the salmon for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through and flaky.
  • Remove the salmon from the skillet, flake it into large pieces, and set aside.

Making the Creamy Tomato Sauce

  • In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and sauté the finely diced shallots for 2-3 minutes until softened.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes until they begin to burst; if using, deglaze with white wine.
  • Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, then season with salt and pepper.

Cooking the Shrimp

  • In a separate pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat, then add the thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes.
  • Cook gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, then increase heat to medium-high.
  • Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.

Combining and Finishing

  • Add the drained pasta to the creamy tomato sauce skillet and toss to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
  • Gently fold the flaked salmon, fresh dill, and lemon zest into the creamy pasta.
  • For the shrimp pasta, add the cooked shrimp, chopped fresh parsley, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a knob of butter, and about ½ cup of reserved pasta water to the pan with the shrimp.
  • Toss everything together and serve both the Salmon Tagliatelle and Shrimp Linguine immediately, garnished with lemon juice, grated Parmesan, and extra parsley as desired.

Notes

The recipe provides instructions for two pasta dishes which can be made side-by-side. Ensure you have two skillets or thoroughly clean one between uses. Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level. A good quality dry white wine will enhance the sauce, but it is optional.