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Blackened Salmon Stuffed with Creamy Spinach

Blackened Salmon Stuffed with Creamy Spinach – 30-Minute Irresistible Dinner

This blackened salmon stuffed with creamy spinach is a rich, smoky, and satisfying dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. With a crispy Cajun crust and a garlicky spinach cream cheese filling, it’s perfect for a weeknight indulgence or an impressive dinner party dish.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salmon:

  • 4 salmon fillets (skinless or skin-on)

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • ½ tsp garlic powder

  • ½ tsp onion powder

  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

  • ½ tsp dried thyme

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Creamy Spinach Filling:

  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • ½ cup cream cheese

  • 2 tbsp sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan

  • Zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Sauté garlic in olive oil in a skillet. Add spinach and cook until wilted.

  3. Stir in cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, and lemon zest. Let cool slightly.

  4. Pat salmon fillets dry. Slice a pocket into the side of each fillet.

  5. Stuff each fillet with 2–3 tablespoons of spinach filling. Press gently to close.

  6. Mix all seasoning ingredients in a bowl. Rub onto each salmon fillet.

  7. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon (top-side down) for 3–4 minutes.

  8. Flip and cook 3 more minutes.

  9. Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 5 minutes or until salmon is fully cooked.

  10. Serve immediately with lemon wedges or a green salad.

Notes

  • Chill the filling for 10 minutes before stuffing for easier handling.

  • Use dairy-free alternatives (vegan cream cheese, coconut cream) if needed.

  • Leftovers are great flaked into pasta or added to wraps for lunch.

  • Author: Hailee Nova
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Pan-sear and Oven-bake
  • Cuisine: Cajun-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 stuffed salmon fillet
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 610mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: blackened salmon, stuffed salmon, creamy spinach, salmon dinner, quick salmon recipe