Creamy Salmon Pasta: A Decadent Dinner Delight

Start by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta, stirring occasionally, and cook it al dente, which should take about 10 to 12 minutes. Al dente pasta has the best texture for this dish, as it holds up well against the creamy sauce without getting too soft. Once cooked, drain the pasta and return it to the pot. This step sets the foundation for our creamy salmon pasta, ensuring every twirl on the fork is perfectly cooked and ready to soak up the delicious sauce.

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then add diced onions. Cook them until they are tender and translucent, which should take about 5 minutes. The butter and onions will create a flavor base for our sauce that's both rich and fragrant. Next, stir in the flour to form a thick paste. This roux will help thicken our sauce, ensuring it hugs each piece of pasta perfectly. It's important to cook the flour for a few seconds to remove the raw taste, ensuring your sauce has a smooth and rich flavor.

Gradually whisk in the milk to the saucepan containing our roux (the butter, onion, and flour mixture). This process will initially look lumpy, but as you continue to whisk and heat the mixture, it will become smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly to prevent any sticking or burning at the bottom. The sauce will begin to thicken, which is exactly what you want for a creamy pasta dish. This step is crucial for achieving the velvety texture that makes our creamy salmon pasta so irresistible.

To the thickened sauce, add the frozen peas, chunks of salmon, along with the salmon juices for extra flavor, parsley for a fresh touch, grated cheese for richness, and pepper for seasoning. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients, allowing the cheese to melt and the peas and salmon to heat through. The salmon adds a layer of decadence and proteins, making the dish not only delicious but also nutritious. It's important to break the salmon into chunks rather than shreds to ensure every bite has a good piece of fish.

Pour the creamy salmon and pea mixture over the cooked pasta in the pot. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently stir the mixture, ensuring each piece of pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. The combination of the velvety sauce with the perfectly cooked pasta creates a symphony of textures and tastes. This final step marries all the components together, resulting in a dish that's comforting, satisfying, and bursting with flavor.