Creamy Salmon Florentine Recipe

Creamy Salmon Florentine Recipe That Wows Every Time

Creamy salmon Florentine blends luxurious seafood with elegant Italian-inspired flavors that revamp ordinary dinners into memorable culinary experiences.

Sophisticated yet surprisingly simple, this dish combines rich textures and delicate ingredients in a harmonious symphony of taste.

Passionate home cooks adore how quickly this recipe comes together without sacrificing sophisticated presentation.

Mediterranean influences shine through the smooth, velvety sauce that perfectly complements the tender fish.

Nutritious spinach adds vibrant color and provides essential nutrients to elevate the overall meal’s wellness profile.

Professional chefs appreciate the balance of protein, greens, and creamy elements that make this recipe both indulgent and wholesome.

Weeknight dinner solutions rarely look this impressive or taste this extraordinary.

What Pairs with Creamy Salmon Florentine

  • Crisp Wine Companion: Pair this creamy salmon dish with a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. These light white wines cut through the richness of the sauce while complementing the delicate salmon flavor.
  • Fresh Herbal Garnish: Sprinkle fresh dill or chives on top to add a bright, zesty dimension. These herbs enhance the lemon and seafood notes, creating a more complex taste profile.
  • Crunchy Side Kick: Serve with toasted sourdough bread or garlic crostini. These crispy sides provide a delightful textural contrast to the smooth, creamy sauce and tender salmon.
  • Veggie Balance: The recommended steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus are perfect accompaniments. Their subtle earthiness and slight crunch balance the rich, creamy sauce and provide a nutritious complement to the protein.

Fun Ways to Vary the Dish

  • Spicy Mediterranean Salmon: Replace half & half with Greek yogurt, add sun-dried tomatoes, and incorporate oregano and feta cheese for a tangy Mediterranean flavor profile.
  • Coconut Curry Salmon: Swap half & half with coconut milk, include red curry paste, and sprinkle toasted cashews on top for an Asian-inspired creamy salmon dish.
  • Herb-Infused Salmon Florentine: Enhance the sauce with fresh dill, tarragon, and chives, then finish with a dollop of herb-infused cream cheese for extra richness.
  • Smoky Chipotle Salmon: Blend chipotle peppers into the sauce, use smoked paprika when seasoning the salmon, and garnish with crispy bacon bits for a bold southwestern kick.

Creamy Salmon Florentine: A Comfort Classic

  • Speedy Gourmet Delight: Whip up this restaurant-quality salmon dish in just 20 minutes with minimal kitchen skills required.
  • Flavor Explosion: Creamy Parmesan sauce combines with zesty lemon, spicy chili flakes, and rich salmon for a mouthwatering taste adventure that tingles every taste bud.
  • Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with protein from salmon, iron-rich spinach, and low-carb vegetables, this recipe delivers a balanced meal that satisfies hunger and supports healthy eating.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this streamlined cooking method that transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dinner, perfect for busy weeknights or impressive date nights.

Ingredients for Salmon Florentine

Main Proteins:
  • Salmon Fillets: Fresh, high-quality fish with rich flavor and omega-3 benefits. Wild-caught salmon provides more robust taste.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Aged Italian cheese with sharp, nutty profile that adds depth to sauce.
Aromatics and Vegetables:
  • Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor base that builds savory foundation for dish. Fresh ingredients provide best taste.
  • Baby Spinach: Tender green that adds nutritional value and vibrant color to the sauce.
  • Mushrooms: Earthy ingredient that provides additional texture and umami character.
Sauce and Seasoning Components:
  • Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking oil for searing salmon and sautéing vegetables.
  • Half & Half: Creamy dairy product that creates smooth, rich sauce base.
  • Cornstarch: Thickening agent that helps sauce reach ideal consistency.
  • Salt, Red Chili Flakes: Seasonings that enhance overall flavor profile.
  • Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element that balances richness of sauce.

Cooking Steps for This Creamy Favorite

Step 1: Prepare Salmon

  • Season salmon fillets with salt and red chili flakes
  • Heat vegetable oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat
  • Sear salmon for 5 minutes on each side until fully cooked
  • Transfer to a plate and set aside

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

  • In the same pan, cook onions until translucent
  • Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant
  • Incorporate sliced mushrooms
  • Cook mushrooms until they develop a golden brown color

Step 3: Create Luxurious Sauce

  • Dissolve cornstarch in half & half
  • Pour mixture into the pan
  • Add Parmesan cheese
  • Bring to a gentle simmer
  • Cook until sauce thickens slightly

Step 4: Add Fresh Greens

  • Stir in baby spinach
  • Cook until spinach wilts completely

Step 5: Season and Finish

  • Sprinkle salt
  • Add red chili flakes
  • Squeeze fresh lemon juice
  • Stir all ingredients together
  • Return salmon fillets to pan
  • Coat salmon with creamy sauce

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

  • Plate immediately
  • Accompany with steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus
  • Garnish with fresh herbs if desired

Tips for Tender Fish and Rich Sauce

  • Choose Fresh Salmon: Select high-quality, bright-colored salmon fillets without any discoloration or strong fishy smell for the best flavor and texture.
  • Dry Before Searing: Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust and prevent steaming.
  • Control Heat Precisely: Maintain medium-high heat to create a beautiful sear without burning the fish or causing it to stick to the pan.
  • Balance Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch thoroughly in half & half to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, silky sauce that coats the salmon perfectly.
  • Layer Flavors Strategically: Add lemon juice at the end to brighten the creamy sauce and enhance the overall taste without overwhelming the delicate salmon.

Reheating Florentine Without Overcooking

  • Refrigeration: Seal salmon and sauce in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the salmon separate from the sauce to maintain its texture.
  • Gentle Reheating: Warm the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add the salmon last to prevent overcooking and maintain its moisture.
  • One-Time Reheat: Consume reheated salmon within 24 hours to ensure the best flavor and food safety. Avoid reheating multiple times to prevent bacterial growth.
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Creamy Salmon Florentine Recipe

Creamy Salmon Florentine Recipe


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4.5 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Creamy salmon florentine delivers Italian coastal elegance on a plate, blending succulent salmon with silky spinach and a luxurious parmesan cream sauce. Guests will savor each forkful of this restaurant-quality dish that brings Mediterranean magic directly to home kitchens.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 salmon fillets (skin off)
  • 0.5 lbs (250g) mushrooms, sliced
  • 7 oz (200g) baby spinach

Seasoning and Spices:

  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 ¼ cups half & half
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Warm a generously sized skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for culinary magic.
  2. Artfully season salmon fillets with a sprinkle of salt and vibrant red chili flakes, preparing them for a golden sear.
  3. Carefully place salmon into the hot pan, allowing each side to develop a rich, caramelized exterior for approximately 5 minutes until perfectly cooked through.
  4. Gently transfer salmon to a waiting plate, preserving its succulence while focusing on the accompanying sauce.
  5. Within the same pan, transform diced onions until they become translucent and softened, releasing their delicate aromatics.
  6. Introduce minced garlic, stirring continuously to prevent burning and unleash its fragrant essence.
  7. Incorporate sliced mushrooms, allowing them to brown and develop a rich, earthy character through occasional stirring.
  8. Whisk cornstarch into half & half, creating a smooth liaison that will elevate the sauce’s texture and consistency.
  9. Pour the creamy mixture into the pan, sprinkling generous amounts of Parmesan cheese for depth and richness.
  10. Tenderly simmer the sauce, watching it gradually thicken and embrace the pan’s ingredients.
  11. Fold in fresh baby spinach, allowing the leaves to wilt and integrate seamlessly into the creamy landscape.
  12. Enhance the sauce with strategic touches of salt, red chili flakes, and a bright splash of lemon juice.
  13. Reunite the perfectly seared salmon with the luxurious sauce, ensuring each fillet is lovingly coated.
  14. Present the dish immediately, accompanied by steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus for a complete, elegant meal.

Notes

  • Prep like a pro by having all ingredients measured and chopped before starting cooking to ensure smooth execution.
  • Choose fresh salmon fillets with vibrant color and firm texture for the best flavor and most appealing presentation.
  • Searing salmon creates a delicious golden crust while keeping the interior moist and tender, so don’t rush this crucial step.
  • Cornstarch works magic in creating a silky, restaurant-quality sauce that clings perfectly to the fish and vegetables.
  • Quick-wilting spinach adds nutritional punch and beautiful green color, transforming this dish from simple to spectacular.
  • Lemon juice provides a bright, acidic finish that cuts through the richness of the cream sauce and enhances the salmon’s natural flavors.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 470
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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