Creamy Smoked Salmon and Truffle Pasta – French Style 🇫🇷

Atsuko

August 31, 2025

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Atsuko

Founder of @Umami Sans Frontières

Inspired by a bottle of truffle oil I brought back from Florence, this creamy smoked salmon and truffle pasta, French style, was born. The recipe is surprisingly easy to make, making it a perfect choice for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special weekend treat. The sauce is based on heavy cream, but adding a touch of crème fraîche gives it even more depth and a luxurious taste. With the delicate smokiness of salmon and the earthy aroma of truffle, this indulgent pasta is perfect for enjoying at home.✨

Expense

💵

Preparation

20 mins

Baking time

Rest Time

Ingredients

Cooking time: About 20-30 minutes

Ingredients:

For 4 people:

320g of Pasta (Tagliatelle or similar)
200g of Smoked Salmon (cut into bite-sized pieces)
200ml of Heavy Cream (use the whole pack; a bit more is also fine)
20g of Butter (for richness in the sauce)
1 clove of Garlic (grated or halved for flavor)
2 tablespoons of White Wine (optional)
3–4 tablespoons of Parmesan or Gruyère Cheese
Plenty of Black Pepper
2 teaspoons or more of Truffle Oil (for finishing)
A pinch of Salt (for the pasta water)

How to make it:

1/ Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.

2/ Infuse with Butter and Garlic: In a pan, melt the butter with the garlic over low heat to release its aroma.

3/ Add White Wine for Flavor: Pour in the white wine and let it bubble briefly. Once the aroma rises, stir in the heavy cream.

4/ Simmer the Sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.

5/ Enrich with Cheese: Lower the heat, add the cheese, and let it melt slowly. Adjust the saltiness and richness to taste.

6/ Combine the Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well, allowing it to absorb the creamy sauce.

7/ Add the Salmon: Turn off the heat and gently fold in the smoked salmon, letting the residual heat warm it through. Save one piece to place on top as garnish.

8/ Finish with Seasoning: After plating, sprinkle generously with black pepper and drizzle with truffle oil.

9/ Serve with Extra Cheese: Top with freshly grated Parmesan or Gruyère, if desired, and enjoy.

🌟 Simple Tips to Make It Extra Delicious 🌟

⭐️ Let the Cream Reduce: Simmer the cream until slightly thickened, this is the key to a rich, flavorful sauce.

⭐️ Adjust the Pasta Water to Your Taste: For a creamier, richer result, drain the pasta before adding it to the sauce. For a lighter version, add it directly with a little water still clinging, both ways are delicious!

⭐️ Add Crème Fraîche for Extra Richness: A spoonful of crème fraîche deepens the flavor beautifully. If you have some left over, this recipe is the perfect way to use it.

⭐️ Gently Fold in the Salmon: Turn off the heat before adding the smoked salmon. The residual heat will warm it gently and keep it tender.

⭐️ Finish with Truffle Oil: A light drizzle of truffle oil just before serving will instantly elevate the aroma and flavor.

⭐️ Perfect Pairings: This creamy pasta goes wonderfully with a refreshing side salad. Try a French-style mâche salad or a peppery arugula salad for balance.
Recipes here:

👉Raspberry Vinaigrette & Lamb’s Lettuce Salad – French-Inspired Favorite

👉 Italian Salad with Prosciutto, Arugula, and Grana Padano

⭐️ A Taste of Florence: This pasta was inspired by the truffle oil I discovered in Florence. If you’d like to dive into the stories of that trip, take a look at my travel blogs: