This Marry Me Salmon recipe is a delicious and elegant dish that’s perfect for a romantic dinner or a special occasion. It features tender salmon fillets cooked to perfection and coated in a creamy, flavorful sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a hint of lemon. It’s a restaurant-quality meal that you can easily make at home!
Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Salmon
- Flavorful and Elegant: This dish is packed with flavor, thanks to the combination of tender salmon, creamy sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s also an elegant and impressive meal that’s perfect for a special occasion or a romantic dinner.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, even for beginner cooks.
- Versatile: You can serve this salmon with a variety of sides, making it a versatile option for any occasion.
- Healthy and Delicious: Salmon is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making this dish both healthy and delicious.
Ingredients for Marry Me Salmon
- Salmon Fillets: I use skinless salmon fillets for this recipe, but you can also use salmon with the skin on.
- Olive Oil: This is used to brush the salmon and for cooking the sauce.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: Adds a blend of herbs for flavor.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: To season the salmon.
Sauce:
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds a punch of flavor.
- Flour: This helps to thicken the sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Adds flavor to the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and creamy sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor to the sauce.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These add a concentrated tomato flavor and a chewy texture.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: More Italian seasoning for the sauce.
- Lemon Zest: Adds a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Fresh Basil: For garnish.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Variations
Want to try something different? Here are a few ideas:
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat.
- Herby Twist: Add some chopped fresh herbs, like parsley or thyme, to the sauce.
- Veggie Delight: Add some sauteed vegetables, like spinach or mushrooms, to the sauce.
- Wine Enhancement: Add a splash of white wine to the sauce for a deeper flavor.
How to Make Marry Me Salmon
Step 1: Prepare the Salmon
Brush the salmon fillets with olive oil and season them with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Cook the Salmon
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon fillets to the skillet and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking until the salmon is cooked through to the center. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Stir in the flour to make a paste. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream until smooth. Then, stir in the Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce for a few minutes, or until thickened.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Return the salmon fillets to the skillet and place them on top of the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the salmon is heated through. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional lemon zest, if desired. Serve warm over pasta or rice.
Tips and Tricks
- Salmon Freshness: Use fresh, high-quality salmon for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t Overcook: Be careful not to overcook the salmon. It should be cooked through but still moist and flaky.
- Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, you can add a bit more chicken broth or cream. If it’s too thin, you can simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce it.
How to Serve
This Marry Me Salmon is delicious with:
- Pasta: Serve it over your favorite pasta, like fettuccine or spaghetti.
- Rice: It’s also delicious served over rice pilaf or quinoa.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts would be delicious alongside this salmon.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Storing: Store leftover salmon and sauce separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the salmon and sauce separately in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen salmon, but be sure to thaw it completely before cooking. I recommend thawing it in the refrigerator overnight.
Can I make this recipe without the sauce?
While the sauce is a key component of this recipe, you can omit it if you prefer. The salmon is delicious on its own with just a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can use any type of cheese you like, such as Gruyère, Asiago, or even a blend of Italian cheeses. Parmesan is a classic choice for this dish, but feel free to experiment with your favorites.
There you have it! A delicious and easy recipe for Marry Me Salmon. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintMarry Me Salmon Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This “Marry Me Salmon” recipe is a guaranteed showstopper! Tender salmon fillets are seared to golden perfection and then nestled in a luxuriously creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. It’s an impressive, yet easy dish that’s perfect for a romantic dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon filets, skinless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan, grated
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the salmon: Brush olive oil on each salmon filet and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Sear the salmon: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon filets and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes on each side. Lower the heat and allow the salmon to cook through to the center. Remove the filets from the skillet and set them aside.
- Make the sauce: Return the skillet to medium-high heat and melt the butter. Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the flour and stir to make a paste.
- Whisk in the liquids: Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese.
- Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and lemon zest. Season with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Simmer and thicken: Simmer the sauce for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Return the salmon: Add the salmon filets back to the skillet and layer them on top of the sauce.
- Simmer and garnish: Turn the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for 10 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves and additional lemon zest if desired.
- Serve: Serve warm over pasta or rice.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less Italian seasoning.
- If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, you can use chopped fresh tomatoes instead.
- You can also use a different type of cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella.
- This dish is a great make-ahead meal. You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the sauce before adding the salmon and cooking it.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 490kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
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