Flavorful, juicy, flaky, and absolutely delicious Baked Seafood-Stuffed Salmon! This salmon dish looks beautiful on a dinner party table. But, because it's so simple to prepare, it can be made any time, for any occasion, or no occasion, and any day of the week!
1cupgrated cheeseMozzarella or Cheddar, or a mix of both, divided
Instructions
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 425°F
In a large mixing bowl combine the shrimp, diced imitation crab, 1/2 cup grated cheese, 2 pressed garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon of dried basil seasoning. Add 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise, stir well, and set aside.
Place salmon on a large cutting board and, using a sharp knife, slice the top half of the salmon, so that you are left with two whole salmon fillets (don't worry about making it perfect or even). Sprinkle both sides of the two fillets with salt, pepper, and dried basil.
Transfer the bottom fillet onto the parchment paper-lined baking dish and top with about 3/4 of the stuffing. Spread the stuffing evenly over the fish. Place the second salmon fillet on top and distribute the remaining stuffing. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup grated cheese and bake in the oven at 425°F for about 20 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145°F, measured at the thickest part of the salmon.
Notes
- Removal of the skin is optional. In fact, it's better to leave the skin on the salmon; it provides more flavor. The skin is easy to remove after it's been cooked, so you can always remove it before serving. - Season the salmon right before adding the stuffing and right before it goes in the oven. Do not allow the salmon to sit in the seasoning and draw out its moisture. - Do not reheat in the microwave. It will dry it out. It can be served chilled or reheated in the oven, in an oven-safe dish, at a low temperature of 250 - 275°F for 10-15 minutes. Make sure to cover the salmon with foil.