Description
Marry Me Salmon is a luscious and creamy baked salmon dish featuring a rich garlic-infused cream sauce with Dijon mustard and Italian seasoning. This elegant yet simple recipe delivers tender, flaky salmon baked in a flavorful, velvety sauce, perfect for a special weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 pieces salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth (or fish/vegetable broth for pescatarian/vegetarian)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the salmon fillets dry thoroughly with paper towels and season lightly with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium heat and melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant, making sure it does not brown to avoid bitterness.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth to the skillet with the sautéed garlic. Stir in the Dijon mustard and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to reduce and thicken slightly for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add Salmon to Skillet: Place the salmon fillets into the skillet, skin-side down if they have skin. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of each fillet to coat them well.
- Bake the Salmon: Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches desired doneness.
- Finishing Touch: Remove the skillet from the oven and spoon any remaining sauce over the salmon fillets. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a burst of color and fresh herbal flavor.
Notes
- Use a good-quality oven-safe skillet to easily transfer from stovetop to oven.
- For pescatarian or vegetarian versions, substitute chicken broth with vegetable or fish broth.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste and consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
- Check salmon after 12 minutes to avoid overcooking; cooking times may vary based on thickness.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a light salad to complement the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: salmon, baked salmon, creamy salmon, garlic cream sauce, Dijon mustard sauce, easy dinner, seafood recipe
