This Tuscan salmon comes together in about 30 minutes and is cooked all in one pot for a quick weeknight dinner that your family will love! You can easily switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or, better yet, use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to use up those leftover veggies or proteins lounging around. Trust me, this dish is going to become a regular in your dinner rotation!
Ingredient Breakdown
- Olive Oil
- Salmon Fillets (4 ounces each)
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Butter
- Garlic (6 cloves)
- Cherry Tomatoes (18 ounces)
- Heavy Cream (1 cup)
- Dried Basil
- Cayenne Pepper
- Parmesan Cheese (½ cup, shredded)
- Spinach (3-4 ounces, chopped)
- Fresh Basil (½ bunch, roughly chopped)
Let’s Get Cooking!
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Salmon
Sear the Salmon: Heat a 12-inch high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Let it sit for a couple of minutes like, literally it should get super hot! Meanwhile, pat each salmon fillet dry with some paper towels. Sprinkle the tops with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper.
Now, add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the hot pan and swirl it around. It should shimmer almost instantly, which means we’re ready to go! Place each fillet in the hot pan (skin side down if you have skin-on salmon).
Pro tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan, the fish needs space to sear and crisp up nicely. Give each fillet a bit more salt and pepper on the top, then let it sear for about 1-3 minutes, depending on thickness. You want it golden brown, so take a peek.
Once you’ve got that gorgeous color, flip the salmon and cook for another 30-60 seconds. Remember, don’t overcook your salmon! Remove it to a plate and keep it warm; we’ll bring it back in a bit.
Make the Tuscan Sauce: In that same pan (with the flavor goodness left over), reduce the heat to medium and add in your 2 tablespoons of butter. Let that melt, and then add in your 6 cloves of minced garlic.
Oh, the aroma is going to be incredible! Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently until fragrant, like a little Italian kitchen, ahh, I could breathe it in forever! Now, chop half of the cherry tomatoes and leave the other half whole. Add those beauties to the pan and give them a quick stir, cooking until they just start to split, about 1-2 minutes.
Create the Creamy Base: Here comes the big moment! Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream, and add 1 ½ teaspoons of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon dried basil, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and some black pepper to taste.
Let this cream mixture come to a light simmer about 2-4 minutes. Just imagine the delicious scents filling your kitchen, so comforting! Stir in ½ cup of parmesan cheese until it’s completely melted and then fold in your 3-4 ounces of chopped spinach.
Keep cooking over medium heat until everything’s thickened a bit and that spinach has wilted down (maybe 2-3 minutes). Then we’re going to toss in ½ bunch of freshly chopped basil.
Combine Salmon and Sauce: Place the seared salmon back into the pan for a quick reheat, just keep an eye out so it doesn’t overcook, maybe a minute or so is plenty. This is looking gorgeous, and trust me, your taste buds are ready for this!
Serve It Up: Serve this creamy Tuscan salmon over pasta, rice, or even cauliflower rice if you’re feeling fancy. Or, just alongside a big green salad. It’s so flexible and just so darn good.
My Go-To Recipe for Comfort
I’m absolutely in love with this creamy Tuscan salmon! This is my go-to recipe when I want something comforting yet impressively easy to whip up after a long day. I’m a real sucker for anything creamy and bold in flavor plus, it checks all the boxes for cozy comfort food!
The best part is that this dish is incredibly versatile. You can throw in those odds and ends from your fridge, maybe some leftover zucchini or bell peppers? It’s just that kind of recipe that you can really make your own!
If you loved this creamy Tuscan salmon, be sure to check out my Smoked Salmon Carbonara, my Pineapple Glazed Salmon, or my Salmon Gnocchi! You’ll find something for every occasion!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy : This creamy Tuscan salmon comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for those jam-packed weeknights when time isn’t on your side!
One-Pan Meal : Eh, minimal cleanup here, my friends! I don’t know about you, but I love when a meal can be made in one pot without the fuss of those billion dishes afterward.
Customizable : You can absolutely swap veggies or proteins to suit your family’s tastes. The secret to a delicious meal is using what you have, so don’t hesitate to get creative!
Family Friendly : Trust me, the whole family will love this creamy Tuscan salmon. In my house, the kids were literally fighting over the last bit. I call that a win!
Loaded with Flavor : This dish is a flavor explosion with creamy goodness, savory garlic, and fresh basil. It’s loaded with tons of flavor and just plain comforting.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions: This creamy Tuscan salmon is fantastic served over your choice of pasta, rice, or even alongside some crusty bread to soak up that luxurious sauce. You could even just toss a quick green salad with it.
Storage: If you have leftovers (which is rare in my house), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Good luck keeping them around that long!
Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this dish is gently in the microwave or on the stove over low heat, stirring so it doesn’t burn. You may want to add a splash of cream or broth to loosen it up a bit.
Freezer Friendly: I advise against freezing this because the cream might separate when thawed, but if you’re daring, go for it. Just know that the texture may change.
Food, that’s where memories are made, after all! Whether you’re meal prepping for a busy week or cooking up a storm for your loved ones, this creamy Tuscan salmon is going to shine so brightly. I can’t wait for you to share it with your family! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Happy cooking!
Creamy Tuscan Salmon
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a 12-inch high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the salmon fillets dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Add olive oil to the hot pan and swirl it around. Place the salmon fillets in the pan, skin side down if applicable.
- Sear the salmon for 1-3 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 30-60 seconds. Remove from pan and keep warm.
- In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add chopped and whole cherry tomatoes to the pan, cooking for 1-2 minutes until they start to split.
- Pour in the heavy cream and add salt, dried basil, cayenne pepper, and black pepper to taste. Simmer for 2-4 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted, then fold in spinach and continue cooking until thickened.
- Toss in the freshly chopped basil just before serving.
- Reintroduce the seared salmon to the pan for a brief reheat, about a minute.
- Serve the creamy Tuscan salmon over pasta, rice, or a fresh salad.