Description
Marry Me Salmon is a decadent and flavorful dish featuring tender salmon filets seared to a golden crisp and served in a rich, creamy sauce made with garlic, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Finished with fresh basil and lemon zest, this elegant skillet meal is perfect for serving over pasta or rice for a memorable dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salmon and Seasoning
- 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
Sauce
- 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 evenly on each salmon filet and season both sides with Italian seasoning, Kosher salt, and cracked black pepper to infuse flavor.
- 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 on each side, approximately 3 minutes per side. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until salmon is cooked through in the center. Remove filets and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour to create a roux paste that will thicken the sauce.
- Whisk in liquids: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream to combine with the roux. Add grated Parmesan cheese and whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, additional Italian seasoning, and lemon zest. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
- Simmer and thicken: Let the sauce simmer gently for a few minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and develop rich flavors.
- Return the salmon: Place the salmon filets back into the skillet, nestling them into the sauce so they absorb the flavors.
- Simmer and garnish: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes to allow the salmon to warm through and sauce to meld. Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves and extra lemon zest if desired.
- Serve: Serve the Marry Me Salmon warm, ideally over cooked pasta or steaming rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less Italian seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
- If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, chopped fresh tomatoes can be substituted for a fresher, lighter flavor.
- Cheese alternatives such as cheddar or mozzarella can be used instead of Parmesan for different twists on the flavor.
- This dish can be made ahead by preparing the sauce in advance and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the sauce before adding the salmon and finishing the cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
