Salmon Puttanesca (Italian Salmon Recipe)

About Salmon Puttanesca

First, what is puttanesca sauce? Puttanesca sauce is a robust, flavorful Italian sauce known for its bold, briny, and slightly spicy taste. Originating from the region of Naples, Italy, this sauce is a staple in Italian cuisine and is celebrated for its intense and savory flavors.

Puttanesca sauce offers a unique blend of tangy, salty, and umami flavors. The sauce is believed to have been a quick and easy dish made with pantry staples, perfect for a fast and flavorful meal.

Knowing that I like pasta puttanesca and cooking easy seafood recipes for healthy weeknight meals, I set out to create a high-protein, low-carb version of the dish.

Fish puttanesca is a perfect meal for those nights when I want something healthy and delicious, yet still quick and easy to prepare. This salmon puttanesca recipe elevates simple ingredients into a gourmet meal. It's a beautiful blend of savory and spicy, making it a truly standout dish.

For more easy one pot meals, try my baked chicken and orzo for your next delicious meal!

• Salmon is a rich, fatty fish that pairs beautifully with the bold, tangy flavors of the puttanesca sauce. I use skinless salmon fillets so the sauce coats all sides of the fish.
• Tomatoes form the foundation of this puttanesca sauce for fish, adding a hearty texture and sweetness that balances the salty components of the dish. I use a 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes for convenience. If you prefer fresh, use about 4 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped.
• Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor compared to regular onions, adding a delicate taste that complements the robust flavors of the puttanesca sauce without overpowering the salmon.
• Garlic cloves impart a savory depth to the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor and complexity of the dish. It's a classic ingredient that amplifies the Mediterranean essence of the puttanesca sauce.
• Kalamata olives bring a briny, salty punch to the sauce, which contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the tomatoes and the richness of the salmon. Salmon with olives is a great combination and their firm texture adds a delightful bite to the dish.
• Capers introduce a tangy, briny element that enhances the overall flavor of the puttanesca sauce. Salmon with capers is a delicious pairing and their sharp, piquant taste adds an exciting zing.
• Anchovy paste delivers a deep, umami-rich flavor that intensifies the savory notes of the sauce. It melds seamlessly with the other ingredients, adding a subtle complexity without overpowering the dish. If you don't have anchovy paste, you can use two finely chopped anchovy fillets or a splash of fish sauce as a substitute.
• Oregano adds an earthy, herbaceous note to the puttanesca sauce, infusing it with a fragrant aroma that enhances the Mediterranean flavors.
• Red pepper flakes introduce a hint of heat, giving the sauce a subtle kick that livens up the spicy baked salmon. Feel free to omit this ingredient if you don't want a spicy puttanesca.

If you enjoy these flavors, you will love my Mexican-style red snapper a la Veracruzana baked with similar ingredients.

Variations

Seafood puttanesca. You can make this fish in tomato sauce with a variety of seafood. This recipe works well with firm fish such as cod, halibut, or sea bass. I especially love cod puttanesca and shrimp puttanesca variations of this recipe. Looking for more easy seafood recipes? Try my panko crusted cod and air fryer sea bass for your next meal.

Add more veggies. You can enhance the dish by adding vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to the sauce. Simply sauté them before adding to the baking dish.

Serve as a pasta sauce. Puttanesca sauce is traditionally served with pasta. Toss cooked spaghetti in with this dish to make it pasta puttanesca with salmon. For more seafood pasta dishes, try my Cajun shrimp scampi and Cajun salmon Alfredo.

How to Make Salmon Puttanesca

Step 1: Pat dry salmon fillets with a paper towel. Brush salmon with extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Preheat the oven. In a large baking dish, add all ingredients except for the salmon.

Step 3: Stir ingredients well to combine.

Step 4: Place salmon fillets in the tomato mixture. Bake the salmon with tomato sauce until it is cooked through. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired.

Expert Tips

Before cooking, pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. This helps prevent the fish from becoming too watery.

Whisk the anchovy paste into the olive oil and diced tomatoes to ensure it doesn't clump and is evenly incorporated throughout the sauce.

Add fresh parsley or fresh basil at the end of cooking for a burst of color and fresh, herbaceous flavor that brightens the dish.