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Creamy Tuscan Salmon Recipe

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3.9 from 2 reviews

Creamy Tuscan Salmon is a delightful dish featuring perfectly seared salmon fillets served with a rich and flavorful Tuscan-style sauce made from heavy cream, garlic, cherry tomatoes, spinach, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe combines a perfect balance of creamy, savory, and slightly spicy flavors for a comforting yet elegant meal.

Ingredients

Salmon

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 salmon fillets (4 ounces each)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (for seasoning the salmon)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (for seasoning the salmon)

Tuscan 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 (for the sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 3-4 ounces chopped spinach
  • 1/2 bunch fresh basil, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat Pan and Prepare Salmon: Heat a 12-inch high-sided skillet over medium-high heat for a couple of minutes until very hot. Meanwhile, pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper.
  2. Sear the Salmon: Add the olive oil to the hot pan and swirl to coat. Place salmon fillets skin-side down if they have skin, ensuring they are spaced apart to avoid steaming. Sear over medium-high heat for 1-3 minutes until a brown crust forms, then flip and cook the other side for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Avoid overcooking. Remove salmon and keep warm.
  3. Start the Tuscan Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the pan with remaining oil. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Cook Tomatoes: Add the half-chopped and half-whole cherry tomatoes to the pan. Cook for about 1 minute until some tomatoes begin to split.
  5. Add Cream and Seasonings: Pour in heavy cream along with kosher salt, dried basil, cayenne pepper, and black pepper to taste. Bring to a gentle simmer, cooking for 2-4 minutes to allow flavors to blend and the cream to slightly reduce.
  6. Incorporate Cheese and Vegetables: Stir in the shredded Parmesan and chopped spinach. Continue cooking over medium heat until the cream thickens slightly and the spinach wilts completely.
  7. Finish Sauce and Reheat Salmon: Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Return the salmon fillets to the pan and warm through gently if needed.
  8. Serve: Serve the creamy Tuscan salmon with your choice of pasta, roasted or mashed potatoes, rice, cauliflower rice, or simply on its own alongside a fresh green salad.

Notes

  • Patting the salmon dry before seasoning helps achieve a better sear.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan during searing to prevent steaming the fish.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper to your heat preference; omit for a milder sauce.
  • Use fresh herbs for best flavor; dried basil works if fresh is unavailable.
  • Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Find it online: https://cookedbysarah.com/creamy-tuscan-salmon-recipe/