This Baked Stuffed Salmon with Spinach & Feta is an easy yet impressive dish perfect for a dinner party or an elevated weeknight meal. đđż The tender, flaky salmon is stuffed with a Mediterranean-inspired filling made of spinach, feta cheese, and roasted red peppers, creating a delicious combination of flavors. The result is a healthy, protein-packed meal thatâs both simple to make and absolutely delicious.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
- 4 (6-ounce) pieces of fresh salmon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 cups baby spinach, packed
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- œ teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked)
- A pinch of cayenne pepper
- 5.3-ounce block of feta cheese, crumbled
- Πcup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Πcup jarred roasted red peppers, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
- Prepare the salmon: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, slice down the middle of each salmon fillet, lengthwise, without cutting all the way through.
- Season the salmon: Brush each fillet with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Cook the spinach: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spinach, Italian seasoning, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes until wilted.
- Make the stuffing: Remove from heat and stir in chopped roasted red peppers, crumbled feta cheese, and Parmesan. Mix well until the feta softens slightly.
- Stuff the salmon: Evenly spoon the spinach-feta mixture into the cut slits in each piece of salmon.
- Bake the salmon: Place the stuffed salmon onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-17 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve & enjoy: Remove from the oven and serve immediately with quinoa, roasted potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Nutrients
- Calories: 438 kcal
- Protein: 42g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Cholesterol: 132mg
- Sodium: 750mg
- Potassium: 1019mg
- Vitamin A: 2568 IU
- Vitamin C: 10mg
- Calcium: 295mg
- Iron: 3mg
This Baked Stuffed Salmon with Spinach & Feta is a healthy, flavorful, and elegant meal thatâs surprisingly easy to prepare! Perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions, this dish is packed with protein, healthy fats, and bold Mediterranean flavors. Serve it with quinoa, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad for a nutritionally balanced meal!
A Healthy, Protein-Packed Meal
Salmon is renowned for its health benefits and is often included in balanced diets due to its rich content of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and protein. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon are particularly beneficial for heart health, reducing inflammation, and supporting brain function. In addition to being an excellent source of high-quality protein, salmon also provides vitamin D, which is essential for bone health, and potassium, which supports cardiovascular function.
This recipe takes the goodness of salmon and pairs it with the healthy green vegetable spinach, which is loaded with iron, fiber, and vitamin A. The addition of feta cheese provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor, while the roasted red peppers bring a subtle sweetness and a dose of vitamin C.
This combination of salmon, spinach, and feta creates a balanced, flavorful dish that is high in protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients, making it a great choice for those who are looking to eat clean while still enjoying a delicious meal.
Mediterranean-Inspired Flavors
The Mediterranean diet is widely regarded as one of the healthiest diets in the world, and this recipe incorporates several ingredients commonly found in Mediterranean cuisine. The feta cheese, roasted red peppers, and olive oil are staples in Mediterranean cooking, known for their ability to create flavorful, satisfying dishes without being overly rich or heavy.
The use of olive oil in this recipe adds heart-healthy fats, while Italian seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper provide aromatic spices that enhance the natural flavors of the fish and vegetables. These spices give the dish an earthy, slightly smoky flavor with just a hint of heat, balancing perfectly with the creamy feta and the earthy spinach.
The combination of these Mediterranean ingredients gives the dish a fresh, vibrant flavor profile that is both comforting and elevating. The spinach stuffing is light yet rich in flavor, while the roasted red peppers provide a touch of sweetness that complements the savory depth of the feta.
A Simple Yet Elegant Dish
One of the best things about Baked Stuffed Salmon with Spinach & Feta is how easy it is to make, even though it feels like an elegant, restaurant-quality meal. By using simple ingredients like fresh salmon, spinach, and feta cheese, you can prepare a dish that looks and tastes impressive, but is actually quite simple to put together.
The key to this recipeâs success is the stuffing. Rather than making a complicated stuffing, this dish uses sautĂ©ed spinach mixed with crumbled feta cheese and roasted red peppers to create a flavorful filling. The spinach is sautĂ©ed with Italian seasoning, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper, infusing it with aromatic flavors that complement the richness of the salmon. This easy-to-make stuffing provides all the flavor and texture you need without the hassle of intricate preparation.
The salmon itself is simply seasoned with salt and pepper, brushed with olive oil, and stuffed with the flavorful spinach mixture. The salmon is then baked for just 12-17 minutes, resulting in a perfectly tender and flaky fish that is moist on the inside, with a crispy crust on the outside.
Perfect for Special Occasions and Weeknight Meals
This dish is versatile enough to serve at both casual weeknight dinners and more formal occasions. Baked Stuffed Salmon with Spinach & Feta is a great option for special occasions, such as dinner parties, holiday meals, or anniversaries, where you want to serve something impressive but donât want to spend hours in the kitchen. Its combination of bold flavors, healthy ingredients, and simplicity makes it a perfect choice for entertaining guests or treating yourself to something special.
At the same time, this recipe is quick and easy enough for a weeknight meal. With just 12-17 minutes of baking time, you can have a wholesome, flavorful dinner on the table in no time. Pair it with your favorite side dishes, like quinoa, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad, to complete the meal. The result is a satisfying and nourishing dinner that doesnât require much preparation but still offers a restaurant-quality experience.
A Nutritionally Balanced Meal
In addition to being incredibly delicious, Baked Stuffed Salmon with Spinach & Feta is a nutritionally balanced meal. The protein from the salmon, the fiber from the spinach, and the healthy fats from the olive oil and feta cheese all contribute to making this a meal that keeps you feeling satisfied and nourished.
The spinach provides iron, which is important for the production of hemoglobin and oxygen transport in the body, while the feta cheese provides a good dose of calcium and protein. The omega-3 fatty acids in the salmon help to reduce inflammation and support cardiovascular health, while the roasted red peppers are a great source of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and supports skin health.
This dish is also low in carbohydrates, making it a great option for those following a low-carb or keto diet. The healthy fats and high-quality protein in the meal provide sustained energy without spiking blood sugar levels, making it a balanced choice for those looking to manage their weight or maintain steady energy throughout the day.
Customizing the Recipe
One of the great things about this recipe is its versatility. While the combination of spinach, feta, and roasted red peppers creates a wonderful stuffing, you can easily adjust the ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand. For example, you can swap the feta cheese for goat cheese or cream cheese for a different flavor profile. If youâre looking for additional crunch, you could add some pine nuts or sunflower seeds to the stuffing mixture.
You can also experiment with different herbs and spices, such as oregano or basil, to create a flavor profile that suits your taste. For those who prefer a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of chili flakes to the spinach mixture for an extra kick.
Conclusion: A Flavorful and Elegant Meal
In conclusion, Baked Stuffed Salmon with Spinach & Feta is a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and healthiness. With its tender salmon, flavorful spinach-feta stuffing, and the touch of Mediterranean ingredients like roasted red peppers and feta cheese, this dish is both impressive and easy to make. Whether youâre looking for a special dish for a celebration or a quick, weeknight meal, this recipe fits the bill perfectly.
Its versatility, health benefits, and robust Mediterranean-inspired flavors make it a dish that will delight anyone at the table. So, whether youâre cooking for a crowd or just treating yourself to a comforting meal, Baked Stuffed Salmon with Spinach & Feta is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.