Transform your weeknight dinner with this incredibly flavorful Creamy Tuscan Salmon that combines perfectly seared salmon fillets with a rich, creamy sauce packed with cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, and aromatic herbs. This restaurant-style dish delivers impressive results with minimal effort, creating a luxurious meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes and guaranteed to become your new favorite salmon recipe.
Ingredients
For the Salmon:
- 2 salmon fillets (6 oz/170g each)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp (14g) unsalted butter
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 5.3 oz (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 handfuls baby spinach (about 2 oz/60g)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (30g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, finely chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Rice:
- 1/2 tbsp (7g) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup (150g) white rice
- 1/2 tsp (3g) salt
- 1 1/2 cups (350ml) hot water
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Rice
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add rice and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted and fragrant. Add salt and pour in hot water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Step 2: Season and Sear the Salmon
Pat salmon fillets dry and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon fillets and cook for 4 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
Step 3: Flip and Finish Salmon
Turn salmon over and cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Step 4: Build the Sauce Base
In the same pan, add chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring until fragrant. Add halved cherry tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
Step 5: Add Greens and Cream
Add baby spinach to the pan and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
Step 6: Finish the Sauce
Reduce heat to low and stir in grated Parmesan cheese and chopped herbs. Let the sauce simmer gently for 1 minute until it thickens slightly.
Step 7: Final Assembly
Return salmon fillets to the pan and simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes, spooning sauce over the fish. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 8: Serve
Serve immediately over the prepared rice, spooning extra sauce over each portion.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2
Nutrition per serving: Calories: 685 | Protein: 42g | Carbs: 58g | Fat: 32g | Fiber: 4g | Omega-3: 1.8g | Sodium: 580mg
Why This Recipe is Exceptional
This Creamy Tuscan Salmon delivers exceptional nutritional benefits while satisfying your cravings for restaurant-quality cuisine. Salmon provides high-quality protein and essential omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health, brain function, and reduce inflammation. The combination of cherry tomatoes and spinach adds powerful antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K, plus folate and iron.
The creamy sauce, while indulgent, uses fresh ingredients that contribute valuable nutrients. Garlic provides immune-boosting compounds, while fresh herbs offer additional antioxidants and flavor without excess calories. The cooking method preserves the salmon’s natural oils and nutrients, ensuring you get maximum health benefits from this omega-3 powerhouse.
This one-pan meal balances macronutrients perfectly, providing sustained energy from complex carbohydrates in the rice, healthy fats from salmon, and essential vitamins from the vegetables. The quick cooking time preserves nutrient integrity while creating a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal that supports both your health goals and your taste preferences.