Crispy Parmesan Crusted Salmon with Garlic Butter Shrimp & Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

This seafood dinner has a little bit of everything: crispy Parmesan-crusted salmon, juicy garlic butter shrimp, and creamy cheesy mashed potatoes. It looks impressive on the plate but comes together with simple, familiar ingredients, making it a satisfying meal for two.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A crunchy Parmesan crust on the salmon. Breadcrumbs and Parmesan bake up golden and crisp.
• Garlic butter shrimp with a bright finish. Lemon and fresh parsley keep the richness balanced.
• Cheesy, creamy mashed potatoes. The ultimate comforting base for the seafood on top.
• A complete, restaurant-style plate. Impressive enough for a special dinner but simple enough for any night.

Ingredients

For the Salmon

• 2 salmon fillets
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter, melted

For the Garlic Butter Shrimp

• 450 g shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley

For the Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 tbsp butter
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp cream cheese
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried parsley

How to Make Crispy Parmesan Crusted Salmon with Garlic Butter Shrimp

1. Make the cheesy mashed potatoes. Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 to 20 minutes until very tender. Drain and mash with the butter, milk, cream cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the cheddar until melted, then add the dried parsley and keep warm.

2. Prepare the Parmesan crust. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

3. Coat the salmon. Brush the salmon with olive oil and melted butter. Press the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture firmly over the top of each salmon fillet.

4. Bake the salmon. Place the salmon on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12 to 18 minutes until cooked through and the Parmesan crust is crisp and golden.

5. Cook the garlic shrimp. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the shrimp and season with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and fully cooked.

6. Finish with lemon butter. Add the lemon juice and fresh parsley. Gently toss the shrimp in the garlic butter until evenly coated.

7. Serve. Spoon the cheesy mashed potatoes onto plates and add the crispy Parmesan salmon and garlic butter shrimp. Spoon the remaining garlic butter from the skillet over the shrimp and salmon before serving.

Tips for the Best Parmesan Salmon and Garlic Shrimp

• Press the breadcrumb topping on firmly. This helps it stay in place and bake up evenly crisp.
• Don’t overcook the shrimp. Two to three minutes per side is enough; they’ll turn rubbery if left too long.
• Use warm milk for the mashed potatoes. This helps them stay smooth and creamy instead of gummy.
• Watch the salmon closely near the end of baking. Cook times can vary based on fillet thickness, so check a couple minutes early.

What to Serve with Parmesan Salmon and Garlic Shrimp

This meal is already a complete, hearty plate with potatoes included, but a simple steamed vegetable or light salad can be added if you’d like something fresh alongside it.

Frequently Asked Questions