Description
Flaky salmon baked in a creamy, flavorful spinach sauce. A quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s both healthy and delicious!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped (about 5 cups packed)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the salmon: Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
- Season the salmon: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Brush over salmon fillets.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and onion; cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Wilt the spinach: Add spinach to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add creamy goodness: Pour in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and cream cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season the sauce: Stir in lemon juice, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Pour sauce over salmon: Carefully pour creamy spinach sauce over salmon fillets on the baking sheet.
- Bake the salmon: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Broil (optional): Broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra color, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish and serve: Remove salmon from oven and let rest for a minute or two. Garnish with fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and red pepper flakes (if desired).
- Serve with your favorite sides: Rice, quinoa, pasta, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the salmon! It’s done when it flakes easily with a fork.
- Use fresh spinach if possible. If using frozen, thaw and squeeze out excess water.
- Adjust seasonings to your liking. Dill or thyme would also be delicious.
- You can prepare the creamy spinach sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
- Substitute half-and-half or milk for the heavy cream to reduce the fat content.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to the sauce, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- Try using different types of cheese in the sauce, such as Gruyere, mozzarella, or goat cheese.
- Skin on or off? The choice is yours!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes