Dreading having to prepare dinner after a long day at work? Discover the best-baked salmon casserole recipe with cauliflower. It's quick and easy, and it's on just one sheet! It features fresh salmon and cauliflower and makes delicious leftovers.
I have a special place in my heart for this salmon casserole for comfort food on a busy weeknight. This baked salmon casserole is the ultimate in cozy, family-friendly meals that are easy to put together yet full of flavor, and it’s earned a spot among my favorite recipes.
When I was younger, I tried to cook elaborate meals every evening. But the truth is, it can get exhausting! I realized I need weeknight dinners that are both simple and satisfying. Dishes that don't take hours to prepare and don't leave me a mountain of dishes either. Enter my morrocan-inspired delicious salmon casserole with cauliflower.
This one-pan dish hits all the right notes without overwhelming the kitchen or the cook using pantry ingredients like canned salmon or fresh sockeye salmon fillets.
How Sheet-Pan Dinners Changed the Game for Me
One-pan dinners like this casserole make life much easier, with fewer dishes to clean up afterward and no fussing with multiple cooking steps. Using a casserole dish to bake everything from start to finish ensures each ingredient—from tender cauliflower to flaky, flavorful salmon—cooks perfectly. Sheet pan dinners have become a go-to for my family. When fish isn't on the menu, I also love making this easy chicken hashbrowns casserole, instant pot chicken and pepper stew, and buttermilk chicken and potato recipe. Weeknight meals that are delicious and versatile, offering plenty of room to add what’s on hand or modify with personal touches.
At its heart, this salmon casserole is pure comfort food. It’s satisfying and filling and tastes just as good reheated the next day, making it a family favorite that also makes great leftovers. With flavors that meld together in each bite, this dish is perfect for anyone who craves a hearty and wholesome dinner without taking hours upon hours of preparation. This easy salmon casserole recipe is a lifesaver when life calls for a meal that practically makes itself.
Ingredients for Baked Salmon Casserole Recipe
- Salmon fillet: A boneless salmon filet works best; you could also use leftover cooked salmon or even canned salmon for a quick substitute.
- Cauliflower: Adds heartiness and crunch, perfect for soaking up the cheesy sauce.
- Green olives: These bring a slightly briny bite, balancing the rich flavors.
- Olive oil: Keeps everything moist and enhances the flavors of the dish.
- Harissa paste: Adds warmth and depth; you could also add a sprinkle of paprika for a smoky touch.
- Cumin and turmeric: Earthy spices that pair perfectly with the salmon.
- Salt and pepper: Basic ingredients for balancing the flavors.
- Lemon: Sliced for brightness and tang, cutting through the richness.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Directions to Make This Fresh Salmon Recipe
Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), the ideal temperature to roast the cauliflower until it’s golden brown and the salmon is just right. Use a large pan or casserole dish lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup.
Prep the Ingredients
Chop the cauliflower into small florets, and slice the lemon thinly. If you’re using fresh salmon fillets, cut them into portions to make serving easier. Alternatively, thaw frozen salmon if using that option, or even use canned salmon if time is short.
Make the Marinade
Whisk together olive oil, harissa, cumin, turmeric, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. If you'd like a bit more herbiness, add a dash of thyme or minced chive. This marinade will coat the salmon and cauliflower, infusing everything with a warm, comforting flavor.
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Marinate the Salmon and Cauliflower
Brush the salmon generously with the marinade and set it aside to absorb the flavors. In a separate bowl, combine cauliflower, olives, and lemon slices, and drizzle the remaining marinade over everything. You could also add frozen peas or red bell pepper slices to give the dish more color and texture.
Bake the Vegetables
Place the cauliflower mixture on the prepared baking sheet, making sure each piece is well-coated. Bake for 15 minutes until they begin to soften and turn golden brown.
Add the Salmon
Remove the baking dish from the oven and nestle the salmon among the cauliflower florets. Add lemon slices on top of each piece of salmon and return the dish to the oven for an additional 14 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and is slightly browned around the edges.
Serve
Once finished, remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, or even a dill for garnish. A spoonful of creamy sauce on the side—such as a dollop of Greek yogurt or even a bit of cream of mushroom soup—adds a lovely touch. Serve warm with the roasted lemon slices, olives, and cauliflower on the side.
Top Tips for Making the Best Salmon Casserole
- Substitute Ingredients: Canned salmon works just as well, as does tuna if you’re in a pinch.
- Get Creative: Add thawed frozen peas or some grated cheddar cheese for an extra cheesy twist.
- Check Doneness: Make sure the salmon is flaky but not overcooked.
Storage Instructions for Leftovers
To store, place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This casserole will keep well for up to two days and reheats beautifully, either in the oven or on the stovetop. For best results, reheat at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
Variations on this Delicious Salmon One-Pan Dish
- Cheesy Upgrade: Add a handful of shredded cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese on top for a cheesy, golden crust.
- Herby Twist: Garnish with fresh thyme, dill, or chives for an herby finish.
- Switch it Up: Try adding diced red bell pepper, white potatoes, or even a sprinkle of bread crumbs on top for extra texture.
Accompanying Dishes and Drinks
This casserole is excellent with air-fried asparagus or roasted carrots with hazelnuts on the side. When I have the time, I enjoy whipping up a drink for my husband and me. We love this pumpkin spice latte when it's getting cooler or non-alcoholic whiskey sours so our kids can also partake in the mixing.
More Comfort Meals for Busy Days
If you're looking for more easy seafood options, I love making this instant pot fish soup. I love that it uses the whole fish so nothing goes to waste and after tossing everything into the pot, I can do my other chores while dinner prepares itself. Alternatively, try this chicken and date casserole, vegan-friendly pasta bake, or broccoli casserole if you want more healthy, quick dinner options!
For more cauliflower-centric dishes, try this roasted cauliflower casserole.
More Salmon for the Fish Lovers Like Me
Salmon is one of my favorite go-to options for dinner—it’s incredibly versatile and brings endless ways to keep things interesting. Whether I’m in the mood for a creamy, comforting dish like Baked Creamy Salmon or something with a bit of bold flavor, there’s always a new way to enjoy it. From the rich smokiness of Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon to a touch of sweetness in Oven-Baked Pomegranate-Glazed Salmon, it’s the kind of ingredient that never gets old.
For something with a twist, I love to pair salmon with grains or vegetables for a complete meal, like the Teriyaki Salmon Risotto that combines tender, flavorful fish with creamy risotto. And for a classic, simple preparation, I turn to the easy elegance of Pan-Fried Sockeye Salmon.
Recipe
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Salmon Sheet Pan Casserole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep the ingredients
- First, you need to preheat your oven. For perfectly grilled Moroccan fish, I like to set the oven to 400F / 200C. This ensure the vegetables and fish cook fully on the inside, while getting a nice crisp on the outside.
- Prepare your baking sheet by covering it with parchment paper or a reusable silicone mat.
- Cut the cauliflower into florets. Slice the lemon into thin slices. If you want to portion out your salmon prior to baking, then do so now by cutting it into 2-inch-wide slices of about 5oz each.
Mix the marinade
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, harissa, turmeric, cumin, salt and pepper. Whisk well to combine.
Brush the salmon and cauliflower with the marinade
- Brush the salmon liberally with the marinade. Keep it on a plate aside.
- In a large bowl, combine cauliflower florets, olives and half the lemon slices (reserve as many lemon slices as you have pieces of fish, or 3-4 slices for a large salmon fillet). Drizzle the leftover marinade onto the vegetables, and mix well to combine.
- Transfer the cauliflower florets, olives and lemon slices onto the baking sheet.
Bake vegetables
- To ensure the best texture for your veggies, we start by baking them first and add the salmon after. Place the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
Add spiced salmon to the oven
- After 15 minutes, remove baking tray from the oven. Add salmon fillet onto the tray, nestling it among the cauliflower florets. Cover salmon with the reserved lemon slices that you had set aside.
- Return baking sheet with cauliflower and salmon to the oven for 14 minutes.
Serve Moroccan salmon with cauliflower, lemon slices and olives on the side
- After 29 minutes of total baking time, your fish should be slightly browned around the edges and flaky on the inside. The cauliflower should be easily pierced with a knife.
- Once ready, remove the baking tray from the oven. Taste, and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
- Serve your spiced Moroccan salmon with the baked lemon slices, and a mix of harissa and turmeric-tinged cauliflower and olives on the side. You may also enjoy a dollop of yogurt on the side.
