Marry Me Salmon

This Marry Me salmon combines seasoned, perfectly seared salmon with gluten-free pasta bathed in a rich, seasoned tomato cream sauce to create a family dinner that satisfies everyone.

I love the rich, creamy texture and bold flavor of Marry Me pasta. It's delicious on its own, but when you combine it with proteins to make dishes like Marry Me chicken or Marry Me shrimp, you get something truly magical.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Flavorful Salmon: The salmon is seasoned with the perfect combination of spices and seared to perfection.
• Rich, Creamy Sauce: The tomato cream sauce is rich and creamy with the perfect blend of spices.
• Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses simple ingredients and seasonings you can find in your kitchen or any grocery store.
• Easy to Make: This recipe only takes around 20 minutes from start to finish.
• Versatile: With just a couple of tweaks, you can make this a gluten and dairy-free dish.

Ingredients

Salmon

• Salmon Select Cuts: These meaty salmon fillet pieces are rich and flavorful.
• Sun-dried Tomato Oil and Olive Oil: Sun-dried tomato oil and olive oil create a wonderful crust on the salmon and add more flavor than pure olive oil. I prefer Costabile olive oil for its flavor, quality, and purity. Use Code: 15GoldenGK for 15% off.
• Seasonings: A blend of Ac'cent Flavor Enhancer, Italian seasoning, Old Bay, and smoked paprika gives the salmon a bold, smoky flavor.

Sauce

• Gluten-Free Penne: I find the shape and texture to be the best for holding on to the pasta sauce.
• Mince Onion and Garlic: The classic aromatic combo adds deep flavor with bite and a touch of sweetness.
• Sun-dried Tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes add deep, complex tomato flavor.
• Chopped Spinach: Spinach adds color and a bit more flavor.
• Chicken Broth and Heavy Cream: Chicken broth and heavy cream combine to create a creamy base full of flavor for the sauce.
• Gluten-Free Flour: Gluten-free flour helps thicken the sauce. I prefer Bob's Red Mill 1:1 gluten-free flour.
• Seasonings: A blend of Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, Ac'cent Flavor Enhancer, and basil give the sauce an Italian flavor with a little something extra.

See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.

Flavor Variations

• Salmon: Cod, halibut, hake, or pollack are all excellent substitutes for salmon.
• Other Proteins: You can use chicken, pork, beef, or your favorite fish and shellfish for this recipe.
• Dairy-Free: Use plant butter and cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan to create a gluten and dairy-free version of this recipe.
• No MSG: While the flavor enhancer adds a big boost of flavor, you can leave it out if MSG doesn't agree with you. It will still be delicious!

Instructions

Salmon

1: Coat both sides of the salmon with the seasonings.

2: Sear the salmon in the sun-dried tomato oil and olive oil to get a good crust on both sides. Then, cover the pan and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.

Sauce

1: Boil the pasta according to the package directions for al dente while the salmon is cooking. Drain and set it aside.

2: Remove the salmon and melt the butter. Then, cook the garlic, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, and pasta seasonings until fragrant. Then, add the flour and stir until combined.

3: Add the vegetable broth, heavy cream, and spinach. Then, cook until the sauce begins to thicken and the spinach begins to wilt. Finally, add the parmesan and stir until creamy.

4: At this point, you can remove some of the sauce to drizzle over the salmon later if you like. Gently mix in the pasta. Then, serve it on a plate topped with the salmon and garnished with fresh basil.

Hint

I find it easiest to use a meat thermometer to ensure my salmon is perfectly cooked.

Storage

Refrigerate this Marry Me salmon for up to 3 days in an air-tight container. Because the sauce is made with heavy cream, freezing is not recommended.

To reheat the dish, microwave individual portions at 1-minute intervals until heated through.

Pairing Suggestions

Serve this delicious salmon dish with simple vegetable sides like this air fryer asparagus or pan-fried zucchini and squash.

For dessert, try an equally rich treat like this white chocolate raspberry cake or vanilla bean cake.

Tips for the Best Marry Me Salmon Recipe

• Medium heat is best for getting a good sear on the salmon without burning it.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure your salmon is fully cooked without being overdone.
• Immediately drain and rinse your pasta in cold water after it reaches al dente. This ensures the pasta stops cooking and won't be too mushy when added to the sauce.

More Delicious Salmon Recipes

• Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes
• Air Fryer Salmon Bites
• Miso Salmon

Frequently Asked Questions