A rich and comforting pasta dish made with silky Røkt Laks (Norwegian smoked salmon), fresh dill, lemon zest, and a light cream sauce — the perfect cozy taste of Scandinavia.
Ingredients
- 150 g pasta (tagliatelle, linguine, or spaghetti)
- 100 g Norwegian smoked salmon (Røkt Laks), sliced into strips
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 150 ml heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
- Zest of ½ lemon + 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: grated Parmesan for serving
- Optional: arugula or baby spinach stirred in at the end for freshness
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ¼ cup of pasta water.
- Sauté aromatics: While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped shallot and cook for 2 minutes, then add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Make the sauce: Stir in cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Let simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add salmon & dill: Lower the heat and gently stir in smoked salmon strips and fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper. Heat through briefly — don’t overcook the salmon!
- Combine with pasta: Toss cooked pasta into the sauce. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Stir in greens if using.
- Serve warm: Plate immediately and sprinkle with extra dill or Parmesan if desired. Enjoy with a crisp white wine or glass of Akvavit for a Nordic finish. 🍷🥃
Notes
🍝 Nordic Comfort: Creamy Norwegian Smoked Salmon Pasta
Keep another gem from Scandinavia - Norwegian Creamy Pasta with Smoked Salmon. Refined, cozy and very easy to prepare, it conveys all the tenderness of Røkt Laks in the format of the perfect lunch or dinner. 🇳🇴🍝🐟 Imagine a cozy cabin on the shore of the fjord, frost outside the window and a plate of warm, tender pasta that melts in your mouth... 🏔️💫This Norwegian smoked salmon pasta is a true hymn to Scandinavian comfort (hygge). Creamy sauce, a little lemon, dill and, of course, juicy pieces of Røkt Laks - everything you need for happiness on your plate.
This sounds absolutely divine! That creamy sauce with smoked salmon is my weakness. I’m definitely making this soon. Quick question for the author – do you think crème fraîche would work as a substitute for the heavy cream? I’m curious about the texture difference.