The paccheri with salmon is a creamy and quick-to-prepare first course that can be served during the Christmas holidays. I confess that I liked it so much, I will prepare it even at other times of the year. My youngest daughter ate two plates!
Did you know that smoked salmon is a food obtained from preserving salmon, which is cured and smoked? Present for a long time in Native American culture and throughout history, it also became part of Greek and Roman cultures, often eaten during gatherings and celebrations. Moreover, during the Middle Ages, smoked salmon was often consumed in soups and salads. Let’s return to today’s recipe.
An incredibly easy first course that is ready in just a few minutes. In my version, I used smoked salmon, a staple in many Christmas recipes. Last year, I used it to prepare two first courses: tagliatelle with salmon and mushrooms and pressure cooker salmon risotto. This year, I’m offering this version, where I used mascarpone and saffron to give creaminess and color to the dish. At the end of cooking, I love to add chives and pink peppercorns to these dishes wherever possible: it gives these very simple-to-prepare recipes a scenic note suitable for the season. Now let’s get into the kitchen, because the paccheri with salmon and saffron will be ready in a click!
If you’re interested in other Christmas recipes with salmon, also check out:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 servings
- Cooking methods: Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas
- Energy 355.24 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 31.33 (g) of which sugars 2.63 (g)
- Proteins 18.72 (g)
- Fat 18.07 (g) of which saturated 9.51 (g)of which unsaturated 2.00 (g)
- Fibers 1.79 (g)
- Sodium 1,143.28 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 322 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 11.3 oz paccheri
- 1/2 white onion
- 7.1 oz smoked salmon
- 5.3 oz mascarpone
- 1 packet saffron
- chives (to taste)
- pink peppercorns (to taste)
Tools
- High-sided saucepan
- Colander
- Frying Pan
- Cutting Board
- Knife
Steps
First, cook the paccheri in plenty of salted water. Then clean the onion and chop half of it. Also chop the smoked salmon. Sauté the onion in a pan with oil and, once wilted, add the salmon. Cook for just a few moments on low heat. In this recipe, I did not add salt, as the salmon is already quite salty, but you can add it if you wish.
Add the mascarpone and a ladle of pasta cooking water, which will help the mascarpone blend and melt. Then add the packet of saffron and mix until dissolved. Finally, drain the pasta, reserving a couple of ladles of its cooking water. Transfer the pasta to the pan with the sauce, mix, and add the chopped chives.
The paccheri with salmon and saffron are ready! Serve them adding more chives and pink peppercorns.
Variations and Tips for Paccheri with Salmon
Paccheri with salmon are best enjoyed immediately after cooking. Alternatively, they can be stored in the refrigerator in a covered container.
Source of inspiration for information on smoked salmon from Wikipedia.
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FAQ Questions and Answers for Paccheri with Salmon
What can I substitute for mascarpone?
Instead of mascarpone, you can use fresh liquid cream or spreadable cream cheese.
