Elegant Creamy Tuscan Salmon (Keto, Low-Carb & One-Pan Dinner!)

Elegant Creamy Tuscan Salmon (Keto, Low-Carb & One-Pan Dinner!)

Indulge in a restaurant-quality meal right at home with this Elegant Creamy Tuscan Salmon! Perfectly seared salmon fillets are nestled in a luxurious, rich, and flavorful cream sauce infused with tender spinach, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, savory onions, and Parmesan cheese. It’s an incredibly satisfying, low-carb, high-fat, and gluten-free dish that’s surprisingly easy to make in one pan!

Yields: 3 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20-25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 (6-8 ounce) salmon fillets, skin-on or skinless, about 1-inch thick
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• ⅓ cup broth (chicken or vegetable broth; ensure low-sodium and no added sugars)
• 5 ounces (approximately ½ cup) jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and thinly sliced
• 1 ¾ cups heavy cream
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 3 cups (about 5 ounces) fresh baby spinach leaves
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Equipment:

• Large skillet (oven-safe if preferred, but not required for this recipe)
• Spatula or fish turner
• Whisk (optional, for sauce)

Instructions:

1. Sear Salmon: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the salmon fillets to the hot pan, skin-side down first if applicable.
   • Sear the salmon for 5 minutes per side, or until it’s golden brown and cooked through to your desired doneness (internal temperature reaches 145°F/63°C).
   • Carefully remove the cooked salmon from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
2. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet (no need to clean it), reduce the heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter and allow it to melt.
   • Add the diced yellow onion and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned.
3. Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Deglaze: Add the thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet with the onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, to infuse their flavor.
   • Pour in the broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with your spatula. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the broth to reduce slightly.
4. Create Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently and allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes, thickening slightly.
   • Season the sauce generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
   • Add the Parmesan cheese and whisk or stir until the cheese is completely melted and incorporated into the sauce.
5. Wilt Spinach: Add the fresh baby spinach leaves to the sauce. Stir gently, allowing the spinach to wilt down into the creamy sauce for 1-2 minutes.
6. Combine & Serve: Return the seared salmon fillets to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy Tuscan sauce.
   • Sprinkle the fresh parsley over the salmon and sauce. Spoon some of the delicious sauce over each salmon fillet.
   • Serve hot and enjoy this elegant, flavor-packed dish!

Tips for Success:

• Don’t Overcook Salmon: Salmon cooks quickly! Watch it closely to avoid drying it out. The internal temperature for doneness is 145°F (63°C).
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Draining the oil from the jarred sun-dried tomatoes is important to control the oil content in the sauce. Slice them thinly so they distribute well.
• Broth Choice: Use a low-sodium, no-sugar-added chicken or vegetable broth for best keto results.
• Spinach Quantity: 3 cups of baby spinach may seem like a lot, but it wilts down significantly. Add it in batches if your pan is too full.
• Serving Suggestions: This dish is a complete meal on its own. For a side, consider cauliflower rice or a simple green salad.

Storage: Store any leftover Creamy Tuscan Salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. The sauce may thicken further upon cooling; you can add a splash of broth or cream when reheating.

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Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification

• High Protein: Yes, this recipe is very high in protein from the salmon and Parmesan cheese.
• Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb. All ingredients are naturally low in carbohydrates.
• Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly. All listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: While the tomatoes themselves have some carbs, the quantity used per serving is generally well within keto limits. Ensure they are packed in oil, not sugar-laden marinades.
  • Broth: Crucial to use low-sodium, no-sugar-added broth.
• Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.

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