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Sheet pan garlic butter cheese-crusted salmon with crispy roasted baby potatoes and blistered asparagus spears.

Sheet Pan Garlic Butter Cheese-Crusted Salmon

A spectacular, restaurant-quality one-pan dinner featuring thick center-cut salmon fillets glazed in a rich garlic butter sauce, smothered under a bubbly, golden mozzarella and parmesan crust, and roasted alongside crispy baby potatoes and blistered asparagus spears.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course, seafood
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

  • * 4 large thick center-cut salmon fillets skin-on, roughly 1.5–2 inches thick
  • * 1 lb baby yellow potatoes halved
  • * 1 bunch fresh asparagus woody ends trimmed
  • * 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • * 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus extra for coating vegetables
  • * 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • * 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • * 1 tsp lemon zest
  • * 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • * 1 cup shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese
  • * 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • * 2 tbsp fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
  • * Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss the halved baby yellow potatoes with a tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange them on one side of a large rimmed baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes to give them a head start.
  3. While the potatoes roast, prepare the glaze by whisking together the melted unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified.
  4. Use paper towels to pat the salmon fillets completely dry on all sides to ensure the glaze sticks and the cheese browns perfectly.
  5. Carefully remove the hot sheet pan from the oven. Slide the potatoes to the top edge. Arrange the trimmed asparagus spears along the bottom side, and place the dried salmon fillets right in the center of the pan.
  6. Drizzle the asparagus spears lightly with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  7. Use a pastry brush to apply the garlic butter glaze generously over the top and sides of each salmon fillet.
  8. Place the sheet pan back in the oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes until the salmon is nearly cooked through.
  9. Take the pan out and carefully pile a thick, even blend of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top of each fillet (about a 1/4-inch layer).
  10. Turn your oven to Broil and place the baking sheet on the top rack. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese topping turns completely melted, bubbly, and beautifully spotted with golden-brown patches.
  11. Remove from the oven, garnish immediately with fresh chopped parsley, and serve alongside the accumulated glossy pan juices.

Notes

* Always watch the broiler closely as cheese can burn within seconds.
* For absolute best results, grate your own Parmesan from a block rather than buying pre-grated varieties.
* Leftovers reheat beautifully in a 325°F (165°C) oven for about 8-10 minutes. Avoid the microwave to keep the cheese and fish textures intact.