Marry Me Salmon Delight

Featured in: Pan & Skillet Cooking

This dish presents juicy salmon fillets seared to golden perfection, bathed in a rich, creamy sauce of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian herbs. The sauce offers a harmonious blend of savory and slightly tangy flavors, enhanced by Parmesan or nutritional yeast for dairy-free versions. Quick to prepare and cook, it makes an elegant yet easy dinner, complemented by fresh basil garnish. Ideal for a relaxed evening or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Updated on Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:41:21 GMT
Creamy garlic salmon with sun-dried tomatoes in a rich sauce, perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion.  Save to Pinterest
Creamy garlic salmon with sun-dried tomatoes in a rich sauce, perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion. | ricoskillet.com

Marry Me Salmon is a luxurious yet simple dish that captures the essence of a romantic dinner. This recipe features tender salmon fillets nestled in a rich, creamy sauce made with garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, making it the perfect choice for a cozy night in or a special occasion meant to impress.

Creamy garlic salmon with sun-dried tomatoes in a rich sauce, perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion.  Save to Pinterest
Creamy garlic salmon with sun-dried tomatoes in a rich sauce, perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion. | ricoskillet.com

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With a total preparation and cook time of only 30 minutes, this American-style main dish yields two generous servings. It is designed to be accessible for cooks of all skill levels, providing an easy path to a gourmet-style meal.

Ingredients

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  • 2 skinless salmon fillets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
  • 4 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
  • 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (or nutritional yeast)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

Step 1
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Step 2
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon fillets and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and just cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3
In the same skillet, add minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4
Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring often.
Step 5
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 3 minutes.
Step 6
Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Step 7
Return the seared salmon fillets to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Simmer for an additional 5–7 minutes on low heat until the salmon is heated through and the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 8
Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For extra depth, use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil and drain well before slicing. You can also make the creamy sauce ahead of time and gently reheat it before serving for an even faster dinner experience.

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Varianten und Anpassungen

For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and nutritional yeast for Parmesan. If you prefer a vegetarian-style sauce, vegetable broth works perfectly as a substitute for chicken broth.

Serviervorschläge

Serve this dish immediately with your favorite side, such as rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables. It pairs wonderfully with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the richness of the cream sauce.

Golden seared salmon fillets topped with a luscious creamy garlic sauce and fresh basil garnish.  Save to Pinterest
Golden seared salmon fillets topped with a luscious creamy garlic sauce and fresh basil garnish. | ricoskillet.com

This Marry Me Salmon delivers a balanced nutritional profile with 450 calories, 25g of protein, and 35g of fat per serving, ensuring a satisfying and decadent dining experience that is as nourishing as it is delicious.

Recipe FAQs

What is the best way to cook the salmon fillets?

Pat the fillets dry, season with salt, pepper, and optional paprika, then sear in olive oil over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

Can I make the sauce dairy-free?

Yes, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast to keep the sauce creamy and flavorful without dairy.

How do sun-dried tomatoes influence the flavor?

Sun-dried tomatoes add a rich, slightly sweet and tangy depth to the creamy garlic sauce, enhancing its complexity.

What side dishes pair well with this salmon?

Serve with rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables to complement the creamy sauce and delicate salmon flavor.

How can I prepare this dish in advance?

Prepare the creamy sauce ahead, gently reheat it before adding the seared salmon to speed up the final cooking step without sacrificing taste.

Is this dish suitable for pescatarians?

Yes, featuring salmon and customizable with dairy-free options, it fits well within a pescatarian diet.

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Marry Me Salmon Delight

Tender salmon in creamy garlic and sun-dried tomato sauce, perfect for a cozy dinner.

Prep Duration
10 minutes
Time to Cook
20 minutes
Overall Time
30 minutes
Created by Paisley Arnold

Cuisine Category Pan & Skillet Cooking

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Makes 2 Number of Servings

Diet Details No Gluten, Reduced Carbs

What You'll Need

Salmon

01 2 skinless salmon fillets
02 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 Salt to taste
04 Black pepper to taste
05 1/2 teaspoon paprika, optional

Creamy Sauce

01 4 cloves garlic, freshly minced
02 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
03 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
04 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
05 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated or nutritional yeast
06 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
07 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
08 Salt and black pepper to taste

Garnish

01 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Cooking Steps

Step 01

Prepare Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.

Step 02

Sear Salmon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon fillets and sear for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and just cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 03

Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 04

Cook Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring often.

Step 05

Create Sauce Base: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 3 minutes.

Step 06

Finish Sauce: Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste.

Step 07

Combine Salmon with Sauce: Return the seared salmon fillets to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Simmer for an additional 5 to 7 minutes on low heat until the salmon is heated through and the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 08

Plate and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately with your favorite side such as rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables.

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Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Spatula
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Paper towels
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Warnings

Review every ingredient for allergens and get advice from a healthcare provider if you’re not sure.
  • Contains fish (salmon) and dairy (cream, Parmesan).
  • For dairy-free, use coconut cream and nutritional yeast as substitutes.
  • Double-check all labels if using substitutions or if allergies are a concern.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

These numbers are for reference only and shouldn’t replace advice from a medical professional.
  • Calorie Count: 450
  • Fat content: 35 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 10 grams
  • Protein amount: 25 grams

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