Description
Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Salmon is a luscious and flavorful oven-roasted salmon dish cooked with a rich Tuscan-inspired cream sauce that includes garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, kale, and parmesan cheese. This recipe offers an elegant yet straightforward way to elevate salmon for a comforting dinner that’s perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets (about 4–6 ounces each), wild-caught if possible
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Tuscan spice blend (see Notes for homemade option)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or substitute with 1–2 tablespoons butter for a richer flavor)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 shallot for extra sweetness)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 5–6 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (or substitute with cherry, grape, or roasted tomatoes)
- 1–2 tablespoons Tuscan spice blend
- Sea salt, to taste
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup vegetable or seafood stock (chicken stock also works)
- 3 tablespoons white cooking wine
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 cup fresh kale, chopped
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (plus more for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure crispness. Drizzle with olive oil, then evenly rub the Tuscan spice blend and sea salt over each fillet for seasoning.
- Roast the Salmon: Place the salmon on the prepared baking sheet and roast on the top rack for 15–20 minutes until the salmon is fully cooked through, tender, and flakes easily with a fork.
- Sauté Aromatics: While the salmon roasts, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the Tuscan spice blend and a pinch of sea salt, then add tomato paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for an additional minute to deepen the flavors.
- Create the Sauce Base: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Slowly pour in heavy cream, vegetable or seafood stock, white cooking wine, and lemon juice. Stir the mixture well and allow it to bubble gently for 1–2 minutes, combining all ingredients.
- Incorporate Cheese: Add freshly grated parmesan cheese to the sauce, whisking continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add Greens and Combine: Stir in chopped kale and let it soften in the sauce. Carefully add the roasted salmon fillets back to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Simmer gently for 5–6 minutes to meld flavors and ensure the salmon is well coated and tender.
- Serve: Plate the salmon with your favorite sides like gnocchi, rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables. Garnish with additional parmesan cheese for extra flavor before serving.
Notes
- DIY Tuscan Spice Blend: Mix 1 teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes for an easy homemade blend.
- For richer flavor, substitute olive oil with butter in the sauce.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can be swapped with fresh cherry tomatoes or roasted tomatoes if unavailable.
- To ensure salmon stays moist, avoid overcooking; check for doneness by flaking with a fork at 15 minutes.
- Leftover sauce makes a great base for pasta or drizzle over roasted vegetables.
