Description
This Marry Me Salmon Recipe features tender salmon fillets cooked in a creamy Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs. The sauce is rich and flavorful, combining garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice for a perfectly balanced dish that’s elegant yet easy to prepare on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (skinless or skin-on, about 6 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Season and Sear the Salmon: Season both sides of the salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted. Add the salmon fillets and sear them for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Reduce the heat to medium in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for one minute to release their flavor.
- Deglaze and Add Cream: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and fresh lemon juice. Simmer the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish the Salmon: Return the salmon fillets to the skillet and spoon the creamy sauce over them. Reduce the heat to low and let the salmon simmer gently for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until fully cooked and flaky inside.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil over the salmon and sauce. Serve immediately, pairing it with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta as desired.
Notes
- This dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, though this will result in a thinner sauce.
- You can use either skin-on or skinless salmon fillets according to your preference.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the level of heat in the dish.
- Fresh basil not only adds flavor but also a vibrant color contrast for presentation.
