Description
This Marry Me Salmon recipe features perfectly seared salmon filets cooked in a rich and creamy sun-dried tomato and parmesan sauce. The dish is bursting with Italian flavors like garlic, Italian seasoning, and lemon zest, finished with fresh basil for garnish. It’s an elegant yet easy skillet dinner that pairs wonderfully with pasta or rice, perfect for a special date night or any cozy meal at home.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salmon
- 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 on each salmon filet and evenly season with dried Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper to build the base flavor.
- Sear the salmon: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon filets and cook each side for about 3 minutes until the surface is golden brown and crispy. Reduce the heat slightly and cook through to the center. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: With the skillet back on medium-high heat, melt the butter. Sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant, but not browned. Stir in the flour to create a roux, cooking it briefly to remove the raw flour taste.
- Whisk in the liquids: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream to avoid lumps, then stir in the grated parmesan cheese to melt smoothly into the sauce.
- Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, an additional teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning, and lemon zest. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed.
- Simmer and thicken: Allow the sauce to simmer gently for a few minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Return the salmon: Nestle the seared salmon filets back into the skillet on top of the sauce, coating them lightly.
- Simmer and garnish: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the salmon in the sauce for 10 minutes to meld the flavors and finish cooking the fish. Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves and extra lemon zest if desired.
- Serve: Serve the Marry Me Salmon warm over your choice of pasta or rice for a complete, delicious meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less Italian seasoning according to your taste preference.
- If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, chopped fresh tomatoes can be substituted, though the flavor will be milder.
- Different cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella can be used for a variation in taste and texture.
- This dish is excellent as a make-ahead meal. Prepare the sauce in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat before adding the salmon and finishing the cooking process.
