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Creamy Tuscan Salmon for Two

creamy tuscan salmon - featured image

A quick and easy creamy Tuscan salmon recipe perfect for date night, featuring a rich garlic and sun-dried tomato sauce with fresh spinach and Parmesan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 skin-on salmon fillets, about 6 ounces (170 grams) each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, packed (about 60 grams)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (120 ml)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme mix)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Let them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the salmon skin-side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes without moving it to create a crispy skin.
  3. Flip the salmon carefully and cook for another 2-3 minutes until just cooked through but still moist inside. Transfer salmon to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
  4. Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and chopped shallot. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, but not browned.
  5. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute. Add fresh spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted—about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan and dried Italian herbs. Let the sauce thicken slightly for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Return the salmon to the pan, spooning sauce over the fillets. Let everything warm together for 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat salmon dry before searing to ensure crispy skin. Avoid burning garlic and shallots by cooking on moderate heat. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen. Use cast iron pan for better heat retention. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy Tuscan salmon, salmon recipe, date night dinner, easy salmon recipe, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic sauce, spinach, Parmesan, quick dinner