Easy Creamy Salmon Florentine is a rich and elegant dish that brings together pan-seared salmon fillets with a velvety garlic-parmesan cream sauce and tender spinach. Inspired by classic Florentine flavors, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in under 30 minutes—perfect for weeknight dinners or a special occasion at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish is quick to make, packed with flavor, and feels luxurious without being fussy. The creamy sauce is perfectly balanced with the savory salmon and earthy spinach, and it pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread. Plus, it’s low-carb and naturally gluten-free, making it a great choice for various diets.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic (minced)
- Fresh baby spinach
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Onion (finely chopped or shallots as a substitute)
- Optional: lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes, fresh parsley
Directions
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear salmon, skin-side down first, for about 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the onion until softened, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated parmesan cheese and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- Return the salmon fillets to the pan and spoon the creamy sauce over the top.
- Optional: Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice, red pepper flakes, or fresh parsley for extra flavor.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 people.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and parmesan.
- Add Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onion for a heartier variation.
- With Pasta: Serve over fettuccine or linguine for a creamy pasta dinner.
- Keto-Friendly: Keep it low-carb by pairing with cauliflower rice or zoodles.
- Herb Twist: Add fresh basil or thyme for a more aromatic sauce.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, gently warm the salmon and sauce in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving for best texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking to ensure a good sear.
What is Florentine-style?
Florentine usually means a dish prepared with spinach in a creamy sauce, often with garlic and parmesan.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the sauce in advance and reheat it with fresh-cooked salmon just before serving.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, as long as all ingredients are gluten-free, especially the parmesan and cream.
What can I serve this with?
It pairs well with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
Can I bake the salmon instead?
Absolutely. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, then add to the sauce before serving.
Can I use half and half instead of heavy cream?
Yes, but the sauce will be slightly less rich. You may need to simmer it longer to thicken.
Is this recipe spicy?
Not by default, but you can add red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
Can I substitute spinach with kale?
Yes, but kale takes longer to cook, so sauté it a few extra minutes before adding cream.
How do I know when salmon is done?
The salmon should flake easily with a fork and have an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Conclusion
Easy Creamy Salmon Florentine is a foolproof, flavorful dish that’s as impressive as it is simple. With tender salmon and a rich spinach-parmesan sauce, it hits all the right notes for comfort and elegance. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or entertaining guests, this dish is sure to impress with minimal effort.
PrintEasy Creamy Salmon Florentine
Easy Creamy Salmon Florentine is a rich and flavorful dish featuring pan-seared salmon fillets smothered in a creamy garlic spinach sauce, perfect for a quick and elegant dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onion for 2 minutes until soft.
- Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes (if using), and lemon juice.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Return salmon to the skillet and spoon sauce over the fillets.
- Simmer for 1-2 minutes to reheat the salmon and meld flavors. Serve hot.
Notes
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a complete meal.
- Use skinless salmon for easier serving and eating.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with sauce
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 130mg