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Marry Me Salmon with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Lemon Parmesan Cream Sauce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 113 reviews
  • Author: Alvarez
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

Marry Me Salmon is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender salmon filets seared to perfection and smothered in a creamy, garlicky sun-dried tomato sauce with parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. This elegant yet easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a special dinner or impressing guests with minimal fuss.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the 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

For the 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

  1. Prepare the salmon: Brush olive oil evenly on each skinless salmon filet and season all sides with dried Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper to enhance the flavor before cooking.
  2. Sear the salmon: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon filets into the hot skillet and cook for about 3 minutes on each side until the exterior is golden brown and crispy. Then reduce the heat and continue cooking until the salmon is cooked through to the center. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the sauce: In the same skillet, return it to medium-high heat and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it. Sprinkle in the flour and stir continuously to form a smooth paste (roux).
  4. Whisk in the liquids: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and grated parmesan cheese, ensuring no lumps remain and the sauce becomes creamy and well combined.
  5. Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in the drained sun-dried tomatoes, dried Italian seasoning, and lemon zest into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  6. Simmer and thicken: Allow the sauce to simmer gently for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly to coat the back of a spoon.
  7. Return the salmon: Nestle the seared salmon filets back into the skillet, placing them on top of the creamy sauce to allow the flavors to meld.
  8. Simmer and garnish: Lower the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for 10 minutes to finish cooking and infuse the salmon with the sauce flavors. Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves and extra lemon zest if desired before serving.
  9. Serve: Serve the marry me salmon warm over pasta, rice, or your preferred side dish to soak up the delicious sauce.

Notes

  • You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less Italian seasoning according to your preference.
  • If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, chopped fresh tomatoes can be substituted, though they may alter the sauce consistency.
  • Alternative cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella can be used depending on taste and availability.
  • This dish works well as a make-ahead meal; prepare the sauce up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. Reheat before adding and cooking the salmon.