Two blackened salmon fillets stuffed with spinach and mozzarella, garnished with fresh parsley

Blackened Salmon Stuffed with Spinach & Parmesan (25-Minute Dinner)

Bymyketotaste.com

Blackened Salmon Stuffed with Spinach & Parmesan

Perfectly seasoned, pan-seared salmon stuffed with a creamy spinach, Parmesan, and mozzarella filling—finished with a buttery lemon pan sauce. Ready in 25 minutes and tastes like a restaurant favorite!

Blackened salmon stuffed with creamy spinach and melted Parmesan, served with lemon butter sauce
Golden, blackened salmon with a creamy spinach-Parmesan center.

Ingredients

For the Salmon

  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Filling

  • 2 cups fresh spinach, sautéed
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
  • Optional: 2 tbsp cream cheese for extra creaminess

For the Sauce

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Make the filling: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the spinach with the minced garlic until wilted. Remove from heat; stir in Parmesan and mozzarella (and cream cheese, if using). Set aside.
  2. Season the salmon: Pat fillets dry. In a small bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Cut a slit in each fillet to form a pocket. Rub with olive oil, then coat evenly with the spice mix.
  3. Stuff: Spoon the spinach-cheese mixture into each salmon pocket.
  4. Sear & finish: Melt 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon 3–4 minutes per side until golden and nearly cooked through. Reduce heat to low; add remaining 1 tbsp butter and lemon juice. Baste for 30–60 seconds.
  5. Rest & serve: Let rest 2 minutes. Spoon pan sauce over top and serve warm.
Two blackened salmon fillets stuffed with spinach and mozzarella, garnished with parsley
Cheesy spinach-stuffed salmon fillets on a wooden board, topped with parsley and sea salt.

Serving Suggestions

  • Great with steamed veggies, mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad.
  • For low-carb: serve over cauliflower rice or zoodles.
  • Finish with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan.

Pro Tips

  • Use fresh salmon for best texture and flavor.
  • For extra crisp edges, transfer to a 375°F (190°C) oven for 5 minutes after searing.
  • Like it spicy? Add more cayenne or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Recipe Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Dinner, Seafood
  • Method: Pan-Searing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition (per serving)

  • Calories: ~450
  • Fat: 28g
  • Protein: 42g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Sodium: 480mg

More Seafood to Try

  • Creamy Tuscan Shrimp
  • Lemon Garlic Butter Cod
  • Baked Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia

If you made this recipe, leave a rating and comment below—share it with a friend who loves salmon!

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