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Looking for a salmon with cream sauce dish to warm up your soul this fall? This is THE best cozy bowl I have made all year! These roasted salmon bites are crisp on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. They are spiced up with a homemade cajun seasoning and topped over a warm creamy bowl of mashed cauliflower and sautéed spinach. But the best part, is that the whole bowl is then topped with a lemon and parsley infused creamy garlic sauce.
What is Roasted Salmon with Cream Sauce?
Cajun crusted salmon bites that are roasted and broiled until crisp on the outside and super tender and juicy on the inside. They are then topped with a luscious cream sauce that is full of flavor using butter, garlic, parmesan, cajun seasoning, lemon, and parsley.
How to Roast Salmon
A great salmon recipe starts with a great cut of salmon and I always prefer wild-caught quality salmon like Sockeye. When possible, avoid farmed salmon. This recipe is easy to make and uses a variety of spices to enhance the natural flavor of this fresh salmon.
For this recipe, the best way to roast this salmon:
- You can remove the skin or leave it on (scaled of course)
- Take the salmon out of the fridge for 15 minutes before cooking to take the chill off the salmon.
- Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Pat the salmon filets dry, then cut into 2″ cubes then place into a bowl and toss with a few tablespoons of olive oil.
- Sprinkle over 2 tablespoons of the homemade cajun seasoning (recipe below) and toss to coat. Add more seasoning if needed.
- Spread out the salmon cubes onto a parchment lined 9×13 baking dish.
- Roast for 12 minutes.
- Switch the heat to broil and broil for 2 minutes or until the tops crisp up and brown.
How to Cook Garlicky Cream Sauce for Salmon
To cook this garlicky cream sauce, start by melting the butter and garlic, whisking until garlic is fragrant — about one minute to prevent burning while allowing the garlic to release flavor.
Add the half and half, more of the cajun seasoning and allow it to come to a low boil for about 5 minutes to thicken. To the cream sauce, add lemon juice, parmesan, and chopped parsley.
Can You Roast this Salmon in an Air Fryer?
YES! Instead of roasting these in the oven, you can follow the same steps with tossing the salmon bites in olive oil and cajun seasoning but place the salmon in the air fryer basket and air fry for 7-9 minutes.
Open basket and check for desired doneness with a fork. You can return the salmon for another 1 or 2 minutes as necessary.
Looking for more dinner recipe ideas?
Crispy Honey Chicken PF Chang’s Copycat Recipe
Prince’s Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe
Orange Chicken Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe
I hope you enjoy this salmon with cream sauce recipe. Be sure to comment below with any questions or feedback! If you make these or any other recipes, don’t forget to tag me on IG @BadBatchBaking to be featured on my story. Seeing your recreations makes my day!
Roasted Salmon Bites with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Equipment
- cheeesecloth ideal for straining cauliflower
Ingredients
Mashed Cauliflower
- 2 heads cauliflower florets
- 1/4-1/3 cup half and half
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- salt and pepper to taste
Roasted Salmon Bites
- 1.5 pounds salmon filets even thickness
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning see recipe notes for homemade version**
Creamy Garlic Sauce
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
Sauteed Spinach
- olive oil
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Roasted Salmon Bites
- Take the salmon out of the fridge for 15 minutes before cooking to take the chill off the salmon. Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Pat the salmon filets dry, then cut into 2″ cubes then place into a bowl and toss with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle over 2 tablespoons of the homemade cajun seasoning (recipe below) and toss to coat. Add more seasoning if needed.
- Spread out the salmon cubes onto a parchment lined 9×13 baking dish. Roast for 12 minutes. Switch the heat to broil and broil for 2 minutes or until the tops crisp up and brown.
Creamy Garlic Sauce
- Melt the butter and garlic, whisking until garlic is fragrant — about one minute to prevent burning while allowing the garlic to release flavor.
- Add the half and half, cajun seasoning and allow it to come to a low boil for about 5 minutes to thicken. To the cream sauce, add lemon juice, chopped parsley and parmesan. Set aside until ready to serve.
Mashed Cauliflower
- Broil a large pot of water over high heat. Salt the water with a tablespoon of salt. Add in the cauliflower florets and cook until soft and easy to pierce with a fork, about 10 minutes.
- Strain cauliflower in a strainer. Allow to cool (this is when I put the salmon in the oven). Then when it's cooled enough to handle, use cheese cloth to strain ALL the excess liquid from the cauliflower. Place back into the pot.
- To the cauliflower, add the all the ingredients and mash by hand until smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Saute Spinach
- Once you are ready to serve this dish, quickly make the spinach - it only takes 3-4 minutes. In a saute pan over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil and once the pan is hot, add spinach and saute until mostly wilted, just a few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- To serve this dish, place a few scoops of mashed cauliflower as the base of the bowl. Add sauteed spinach and salmon bites, then drizzle the entire bowl with the creamy garlic sauce.
The garlicky cream sauce for salmon is a game-changer, adding a rich, velvety texture and a burst of savory flavor that complements the salmon perfectly. It’s the perfect blend of garlic’s robust taste and creamy goodness, making each bite a delightful experience. Highly recommend trying it!