Tuscan Garlic Salmon Skillet with Spinach & Tomato

The Tuscan Garlic Salmon Skillet is a restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. It’s healthy, vibrant, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors.

Here is a detailed recipe that will guide you to a perfect, creamy, and flavorful one-pan meal.

Tuscan Garlic Salmon Skillet with Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomatoes

This recipe creates a luxurious, creamy sauce without being overly heavy, letting the salmon shine.

Yields: 2-3 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Salmon:

• 2 (6 oz) salmon fillets, skinless or skin-on

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)

For the Tuscan Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or use oil from the sun-dried tomato jar)

• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small shallot or ½ small onion, finely chopped

• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and thinly sliced

• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

• 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

• ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth

• ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a slight kick)

• 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

• 1 lemon, cut into wedges, for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. This is crucial for getting a good sear. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and paprika.

2. Sear the Salmon: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet (cast iron or stainless steel work best) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the salmon fillets presentation-side down. Sear for 4-6 minutes, without moving them, until a golden-brown crust forms. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. The salmon should be slightly undercooked in the center as it will finish in the sauce. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

3. Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1-2 tablespoons of oil to the same skillet. Add the chopped shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Build the Sauce: Add the sun-dried tomatoes and halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the cherry tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices.

5. Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach in handfuls, stirring until it wilts, about 2-3 minutes.

6. Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Finish Cooking the Salmon: Return the salmon fillets to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the top. Let it simmer gently for 3-5 more minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking (flaky and opaque throughout).

8. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve immediately directly from the skillet, with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.

Serving Suggestions:

• To Soak Up the Sauce: This dish is fantastic over:

  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes

  • Pasta (like fettuccine or linguine)

  • Crusty Bread or garlic bread

  • Rice or Cauliflower Rice

Key Tips for Success:

• Dry Salmon is Key: The single most important step for a perfect sear is patting the salmon completely dry.

• Don’t Crowd the Pan: If your skillet isn’t large enough, cook the salmon in batches. Overcrowding will steam the fish instead of searing it.

• Don’t Boil the Cream: Once you add the cream, keep the heat at a gentle simmer. Boiling can cause the cream to curdle or separate.

• Use the Sun-Dried Tomato Oil: Using the flavorful oil from the sun-dried tomato jar adds an incredible depth of flavor to the entire dish.

• Fresh Herbs at the End: Adding the fresh basil or parsley right before serving preserves their bright color and fresh flavor.

Enjoy this beautiful, healthy, and incredibly delicious meal! It’s perfect for a quick yet impressive dinner.