Description
Creamy Tuscan Salmon is a rich and flavorful dish featuring pan-seared salmon fillets simmered in a luscious Tuscan cream sauce loaded with garlic, cherry tomatoes, spinach, parmesan, and fresh herbs. This elegant yet simple recipe pairs beautifully with pasta, potatoes, or greens for a satisfying and impressive meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salmon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 salmon fillets (about 4 ounces each)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (for seasoning salmon)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (for seasoning salmon)
- additional kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)
For the Tuscan Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic (smashed and minced)
- 18 ounces cherry tomatoes (half chopped, half whole)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 3–4 ounces spinach (chopped)
- 1/2 bunch fresh basil (roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Heat the pan: Warm a 12-inch high-sided skillet over medium-high heat for a couple of minutes to get it very hot.
- Season the salmon: Pat each salmon fillet dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the top sides with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Sear the salmon: Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the hot pan, swirling it to coat evenly. Place the salmon fillets in the pan without crowding them—skin side down first if skin is on. Season the other side with more salt and pepper. Sear for 1-3 minutes until the bottom is nicely browned, then flip and cook the other side for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Avoid overcooking. Remove and keep warm.
- Start the sauce: In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons butter to the remaining oil. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add tomatoes: Add the chopped and whole cherry tomatoes to the pan. Cook for about 1 minute until some tomatoes start to split.
- Add cream and seasonings: Pour in 1 cup heavy cream. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and black pepper to taste.
- Simmer the sauce: Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-4 minutes to slightly thicken.
- Add cheese and greens: Stir in 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese and 3-4 ounces chopped spinach. Continue cooking over medium heat until the sauce has thickened somewhat and the spinach has wilted.
- Add fresh basil and return salmon: Stir in half a bunch of roughly chopped fresh basil. Return the salmon fillets to the pan to warm through.
- Serve: Plate the salmon with the creamy Tuscan sauce spooned over. Serve alongside pasta, roasted or mashed potatoes, rice, cauliflower rice, or a big green salad.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the skillet when searing the salmon to avoid steaming instead of searing.
- Patting the salmon dry ensures a better sear and browning.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper according to your heat preference.
- The sauce can be simmered longer to thicken more if desired.
- This dish pairs well with various sides such as pasta, potatoes, or greens for versatility.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Salmon, salmon recipe, Italian salmon, creamy garlic sauce, Tuscan sauce, pan seared salmon
