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salmon and gnocchi on a wooden plate
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4.56 from 18 votes

Pan Seared Salmon and Gnocchi with Sage Butter Sauce

This guest-worthy dinner of salmon and gnocchi in a quick butter and sage sauce is super fast and just uses two dishes to make (one to boil the gnocchi and one to sear the salmon and make sauce). Including a fail-proof way to cook salmon that gets it crispy every time.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Keyword: date night recipe, easy salmon recipe, entertaining, fish dish, party and entertaining, seafood
Servings: 4
Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
Cost: $10.00

Equipment

  • Non-Stick Skillet
  • Flexible Spatula
  • Saucepan
  • Colander

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces Gnocchi (look for gluten-free if needed)
  • 4 4-6 ounces Salmon Filets
  • 1 Tablespoon Cooking Oil (I use grapeseed or avocado)
  • 3 Tablespoons Butter
  • 4 leaves Fresh Sage, chopped
  • 2 cloves Shallots, diced
  • 2 teaspoons Lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  • Boil gnocchi according to package directions.
  • Meanwhile, pat salmon filets dry with paper towels. Season it on both sides with some salt and pepper.
  • Place salmon, skin-side down (or on either side if using skinless salmon), in a room temperature nonstick pan with a thin layer of cooking oil. (This is the key to crisp salmon - the salmon must be placed in a cool pan and then slowly brought up to heat.)
  • Place the pan over medium heat and cook the salmon, without moving it, until the skin is crisp and easily releases from the pan. (After it has cooked for ~5 minutes, gently nudge it with a spatula, until it easily slides around in the pan.)
  • Turn salmon with a spatula and increase heat to medium-high. Continue cooking until the side touching the pan is golden brown and crisp and the salmon is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes more. (It should flake easily with a fork.)
  • Transfer salmon to a serving platter and return pan to medium-high heat.
  • Add butter until melted. Add gnocchi, sage, and shallots. Cook, stirring constantly, until shallots are golden brown and sage is crisp.
  • Pour gnocchi and butter sauce over salmon. Squeeze lemon juice over top.
  • Serve salmon and gnocchi with extra lemon wedges on the side.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 461mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 266IU | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 4mg