Marry Me Salmon | Creamy Tuscan Salmon
Ingredients
Each of these ingredients plays a part in making marry me salmon so irresistible!
For the Salmon
- Salmon Filets: Use skinless salmon. Be sure you use cuts that are roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate.
- Olive Oil: For cooking the salmon in and also helping the seasonings stick.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: No Tuscan recipe is complete without this tasty blend of herbs!
- Salt and Pepper: to give the salmon an extra layer of flavor.
For the Sauce
- Butter: To give the marry me salmon sauce a tasty richness!
- Minced Garlic: For the perfect savory flavor. Fresh minced garlic is best! If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, garlic powder can also be used.
- Flour: Thickens up the sauce a little.
- Chicken Broth: Acts as the flavorful base of the sauce. You can also use mushroom or vegetable broth, but it will change the flavor slightly.
- Heavy Cream: This is what makes the sauce so good! You can also use half and half if you want the sauce to be a little lighter.
- Grated Parmesan: For the best nutty, cheesy flavor.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Give the dish that classic Tuscan flavor. Make sure they’re drained so they don’t add too much liquid to the sauce.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: More herbs to give the sauce flavor!
- Lemon Zest: Adds bright flavor that cuts through the richness of the sauce.
- Fresh Basil: This is optional, but if you want to add a little extra flavor to your dish, garnish with fresh chopped basil! It also gives the marry me salmon a perfect presentation.
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Salmon
This is a restaurant-quality dish that’s ready in 30 minutes. What could be better than that? Anything that tastes this good but is so easy to make is a winner in my book.
- Add Seasonings and Olive Oil: Brush olive oil on top of each of the salmon fillets using a basting brush.
- Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat Skillet: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook: Add the salmon filets to the skillet and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes on each side.
- Lower the heat and then allow the salmon to cook through to the center.
- Remove the filets from the skillet and set them aside.
Sauce
- Melt Butter, Sauté Garlic: Return to the same skillet, and add the butter.
- Melt the butter over medium-high heat then sauté the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add in the flour and stir to make a paste.
- Add Broth, Cream, and Cheese: Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese.
- Stir in Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the drained sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and lemon zest.
- Season with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Thicken: Simmer the sauce for a few minutes for it to thicken.
- Add Salmon: Return the salmon filets back to the skillet and then layer on top of the sauce.
- Simmer: Turn the heat to medium-low, then continue to simmer for 10 minutes.
- Garnish: Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves and additional lemon zest if desired.
- Serve: Serve marry me salmon warm over pasta or rice.
Tips and Variations
Get creative and adapt this marry me salmon to your own personal tastes! Here are a few tips to make sure it turns out perfectly.
- Perfect Searing: For that golden crust on your salmon filets, make sure the skillet is well heated before adding the fish. This will give you that satisfying crispy exterior.
- Cheese Choices: While parmesan is classic, you can try other hard cheeses like pecorino romano or asiago for a unique twist on the sauce’s cheesy flavor.
- Add Veggies: If you’re a veggie lover, consider adding sautéed baby spinach, artichoke hearts, or even diced bell peppers to the sauce. This can add extra color, flavor, and nutrients to the dish.
- Serve With: Instead of pasta or rice, try serving the salmon over mashed potatoes, quinoa, couscous, or even cauliflower rice for a healthier, keto-friendly alternative.
