Description
An elegant and festive seafood pasta dish featuring tender spaghetti, flavorful salmon meatballs, and a rich, creamy white sauce—perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb scallops or white fish, cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Salmon Meatballs:
- 1/2 lb cooked salmon, flaked
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- To make the salmon meatballs, combine cooked flaked salmon, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Form into small balls.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the meatballs over medium heat for 6–8 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add shrimp and scallops. Cook for 3–5 minutes, until just cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter, then whisk in flour to form a roux. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Slowly whisk in milk and cream, stirring until smooth and thickened. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Return seafood and meatballs to the skillet. Add cooked spaghetti and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes to combine flavors. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and optional red pepper flakes.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen seafood depending on availability—just make sure it’s fully thawed.
- Substitute gluten-free pasta and flour to make this dish gluten-free.
- Lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice adds brightness to the creamy sauce.
- Great for festive dinners and special occasions like Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: seafood pasta, salmon meatballs, creamy white sauce, holiday dinner, festive seafood dish