Marry Me Salmon with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe

Oh, let me tell you about this Marry Me Salmon with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe — it’s honestly one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together so easily, it’s perfect for impressing whoever’s at your table (or just treating yourself after a long day). I love this recipe because the salmon stays wonderfully tender and flaky while the rich, luscious sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes and creamy Parmesan brings so much flavor and warmth to each bite.

Whenever I whip this up, it’s always a winner. You’ll find that the balance of tangy sun-dried tomatoes and the subtle heat from red pepper flakes gives the sauce that wow factor, without overpowering the salmon itself. It’s great for weeknights when you want something special but don’t want to fuss too much in the kitchen.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Marry Me Salmon with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe really comes from using quality ingredients that complement one another—fresh salmon, oily sun-dried tomatoes, creamy Parmesan, and fragrant Italian herbs all work together to create that irresistible flavor combo.

• Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning the salmon evenly without overwhelming.
• Brown sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness that balances the tangy and savory elements perfectly.
• Garlic powder: Garlic in powdered form blends into the seasoning easily, providing a mellow, deep flavor.
• Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings a classic Mediterranean vibe to the dish.
• Black pepper: Freshly cracked for a sharp, aromatic bite.
• Salmon fillets: Fresh or properly thawed wild or farmed salmon work great here—just make sure they’re roughly equal in size for even cooking.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Used both for coating the salmon and cooking the sauce, it adds fruitiness and richness.
• Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic brightens up the creamy sauce with its unmistakable aroma.
• Heavy cream: Creates the luscious base of the sauce, making it smooth and comforting.
• Chicken stock: Adds depth to the sauce without overpowering the delicate salmon flavor.
• Chicken bouillon or Better Than Bouillon: Enhances savory notes; this little booster really pulls everything together.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated provides sharpness and creaminess that transforms the sauce.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: These bring that wonderful concentrated, tangy sweetness you’ll want more of.
• Red pepper flakes (optional): Kick in just enough heat to balance the creaminess.
• Fresh basil leaves: Added at the end for a pop of freshness and color.
• Cooked pasta or mashed potatoes (optional): For serving if you want to stretch this into a hearty meal.

Variations

I love making this Marry Me Salmon with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe my own by swapping in different herbs or changing the serving style. Don’t hesitate to personalize it; that’s the beauty of home cooking after all!

• Make it spicy: I sometimes add a pinch more red pepper flakes or even a dash of smoked paprika for an extra smoky heat that my family loves.
• Dairy-free version: I’ve used coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan when cooking for friends who avoid dairy—and it still tastes amazing.
• Herb swaps: Try fresh thyme or oregano if you don’t have basil handy; it changes the flavor profile subtly but keeps that Italian flair.
• Serve with greens: For a lighter meal, I like to serve it over sautéed spinach or a bed of arugula instead of pasta or potatoes.

How to Make Marry Me Salmon with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Salmon

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F with the rack in the middle position to ensure even heat. While the oven warms, mix your kosher salt, brown sugar, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper in a small bowl—the spice blend is what makes the salmon so flavorful. Then, place your salmon fillets skin side down on a rimmed baking sheet and brush them with olive oil. Rub the seasoning all over the salmon evenly, making sure every inch is coated—this is key for that perfect crust and flavor punch.

Step 2: Bake the Salmon

Bake the salmon for about 12 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness—you’ll know it’s ready when the fish flakes easily with a fork but still stays moist inside. Overcooking can dry it out, so keep an eye on it toward the end. Once out of the oven, gently discard the skin for a cleaner presentation, but keep it if you love the crispiness for snacking later!

Step 3: Make the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

While your salmon is baking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook it until fragrant, about 30 seconds—don’t let it brown, or the garlic will taste bitter. Stir in the heavy cream, chicken stock, and chicken flavor bouillon, then add half of your Parmesan cheese along with the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Bring everything to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens sufficiently to coat the back of a spoon—usually around 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste before removing it from the heat.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Finally, nestle the cooked salmon fillets right into the sauce and let them soak up that creamy goodness for a minute. Scatter the fresh basil leaves and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan and red pepper flakes over the top to finish with fresh aroma and extra flavor contrast. Serve this gorgeous dish on its own or over your favorite cooked pasta or mashed potatoes for a heartier meal.

How to Serve Marry Me Salmon with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I always finish with a handful of fresh basil leaves because the herbal brightness cuts through the richness perfectly, plus it adds a lovely visual pop of green. A few extra shavings of Parmesan on top never hurt either, especially if you like a little salty punch in each bite.

Side Dishes

I’m a huge fan of serving this salmon with creamy mashed potatoes or al dente fettuccine tossed simply with olive oil and garlic. It also pairs wonderfully with roasted asparagus or sautéed green beans to keep the meal light and fresh on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to plate the salmon on a swirl of sauce, topping with a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts and microgreens to add texture and elegance. Serving alongside a colorful vegetable medley adds vibrant visual appeal that impresses guests every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover salmon and sauce store well together in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I usually keep the salmon and sauce combined to let those flavors meld, but you can also keep them separate if you plan to reheat differently.

Freezing

Honestly, I don’t recommend freezing the cooked salmon with sauce—it tends to separate on thawing and the texture can get a bit watery. Instead, freeze just the cooked salmon or the sauce individually if you want to prep ahead.

Reheating

When reheating, I warm the sauce gently over low heat on the stovetop to bring back its creamy texture, then add the salmon fillet at the end just to heat through—this keeps the salmon tender and prevents it from drying out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Marry Me Salmon with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe holds a special place in my cooking rotation because it’s a perfect blend of comfort and elegance. I love sharing it with friends who can’t believe something this delicious was so easy to make! I hope you try it yourself and find joy in those rich, fresh flavors as much as I do—it’s one of those dishes that will have everyone asking for seconds and maybe even proposing marriage.

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