Mary Berry Cream Cheese Salmon Recipe – Baked with Parmesan

The Mary Berry Cream Cheese Salmon Recipe brings together tender baked salmon, a creamy herby topping, and a crisp Parmesan and breadcrumb crust. Roasted red peppers add colour beneath the fillets, while the rich mushroom sauce provides a creamy finish with lemon adding brightness to the dish.

The recipe below covers the ingredients and useful equipment, followed by the cooking method for preparing the salmon and sauce. You’ll also find serving suggestions, storage guidance, helpful FAQs, and the available nutrition information for this recipe.

If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy salmon, explore our Mary Berry salmon recipes for a collection of creamy dishes, pastry bakes, quiches, pasta, starters and more.

Equipment

Equipments for Mary Berry Cream Cheese Salmon Recipe:

Using the right kitchen tools makes this Mary Berry Cream Cheese Salmon Recipe easier to prepare and helps everything cook evenly. These simple items are all you need for mixing the topping, preparing the salmon, baking it perfectly, and making the creamy mushroom sauce.

• Oven – Bakes the salmon until perfectly cooked with a golden topping.
• Baking tray – Holds the salmon securely while it bakes.
• Baking paper – Prevents sticking and makes cleaning up easier.
• Bowl – Used for mixing the cream cheese topping.
• Small bowl – Handy for preparing smaller ingredient mixtures if needed.
• Saucepan – Cooks the mushroom sauce until smooth and creamy.
• Baking sheet – Supports even baking if using a separate sheet.
• Roasting tin – An alternative baking dish for cooking the salmon.
• Greased baking sheet – Helps prevent the salmon from sticking during baking.
• Spoon – Mixes and spreads the topping evenly over the fish.
• Measuring jug – Measures liquids accurately for the sauce.
• Knife – Chops herbs and prepares other ingredients.
• Chopping board – Provides a safe surface for preparing ingredients.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Mary Berry Cream Cheese Salmon Recipe:

This Mary Berry Cream Cheese Salmon Recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients that come together to create a creamy topping with a crisp finish and a rich mushroom sauce. The combination of salmon fillets, herbs, cheese, and roasted peppers gives plenty of flavour while keeping the recipe easy enough for beginners to prepare.

Ingredient	Quantity
Skinned salmon fillets	6
Full-fat cream cheese	200g
Parmesan cheese, finely grated	50g
Fresh white breadcrumbs	50g
Garlic clove, crushed	1
Fresh chives, chopped	2 tbsp
Parsley, chopped	2 tbsp
Lemon zest	Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
Roasted red peppers from a jar, drained and sliced	2
Chestnut mushrooms, sliced	250g
White wine	150ml
Pouring double cream	300ml
Paprika	½ tsp
Salt	To taste
Freshly ground black pepper	To taste
Lemon juice	From ½ lemon

How to Make Mary Berry Cream Cheese Salmon

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas 6). Line a baking tray with baking paper or grease the baking sheet lightly so the salmon does not stick.
2. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, grated Parmesan, crushed garlic, chopped chives, parsley, and lemon zest. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper until everything is well combined.
3. Arrange the peppers over the prepared tray. Place fillets close together on top of the peppers so they cook evenly and stay moist.
4. Spread evenly the cream cheese mixture over each salmon fillet. Sprinkle the fresh white breadcrumbs on top and press down lightly so the crumb coating stays in place while baking.
5. Bake the salmon for about 20–25 minutes, or until it is cooked through. The centre should change from translucent to an opaque pink with a matt pink colour.
6. While the salmon cooks, boil the white wine in a saucepan for a few minutes to reduce the wine. Add the sliced chestnut mushrooms, then stir in the pouring double cream and paprika to thicken the sauce.
7. Return the mushrooms to the finished sauce if removed during cooking and stir well. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. Place the baked salmon onto serving plates. Garnish with extra parsley, squeeze over lemon juice, spoon over the mushroom sauce, and serve immediately.

Expert Tips for Mary Berry Cream Cheese Salmon

A few small details can make this recipe even better. I have found that careful preparation and checking the salmon towards the end of cooking help produce a creamy topping, moist fish, and a perfectly crisp finish every time.

• Prepare ahead by making the topping early in the day to save time before dinner.
• You can assemble up to 12 hours ahead and keep the dish covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
• If preferred, prepare salmon up to 8 hours ahead, but wait until baking time before putting it into the oven.
• Keep fillets close together during baking to help keep salmon moist and avoid drying out.
• Choose fillets of the same size and shape so they cook at the same rate.
• Check the middle of the fish near the end of cooking. It should be cooked through with an opaque pink centre and a matt pink colour.
• When spreading the topping, do not spread to the edges, as it can slide off while baking.
• Reheat remaining sauce gently over low heat, stirring often to keep it smooth.
• If you want a different flavour, a Boursin cheese alternative works well in place of plain cream cheese.
• This recipe is not suitable for freezing, as the creamy topping and sauce can separate after thawing.

Serving Suggestions

How to serve Mary Berry Cream Cheese Salmon:

This Mary Berry Cream Cheese Salmon Recipe is best enjoyed serve hot with the creamy mushroom sauce spooned over the top. It makes an excellent easy dinner for family meals or a dinner party, especially when paired with fresh sides and light desserts.

• Serve with new potatoes for a classic and filling meal.
• Add dressed salad leaves or a fresh salad for a lighter option.
• Spoon over any remaining sauce before serving for extra flavour.
• Finish with a chopped parsley garnish and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
• Pair with sparkling water, chilled white wine, or homemade lemonade.
• Finish the meal with a light lemon sorbet or fresh fruit salad.
• Serve immediately for the best creamy texture and crisp topping.

Storage

How to serve Mary Berry Cream Cheese Salmon:

Room Temperature

• Let the salmon cool completely before storing.
• Do not leave cooked salmon at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Refrigerator

• Store leftovers in an airtight container and cover well.
• Chill in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• You can prepare up to 8 hours ahead or assemble up to 12 hours ahead before baking, keeping the dish refrigerated.
• Reheat sauce gently over low heat before serving.

Freezer

• This recipe is not suitable for freezing because the creamy topping and sauce may separate after thawing.
• For the best flavour and texture, enjoy the dish freshly cooked or refrigerated.

FAQs

Q: Can I use a different cheese instead of cream cheese?

Yes. Boursin cheese is a popular alternative if you want extra herb flavour. You can also use an alternative vegetarian hard cheese instead of Parmesan if needed.

Q: How do I know when the salmon is cooked?

The easiest way is to check the centre of the fish. It should be cooked through with an opaque pink centre and a matt pink colour, not a translucent appearance.

Q: Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare ahead by assembling the dish and keeping it covered in the refrigerator before baking. This makes it ideal for entertaining.

Q: Can I freeze the cooked salmon?

It is best not to freeze salmon in this recipe. The cream cheese topping and sauce can lose their smooth texture after thawing.

Q: Which salmon fillets work best?

Choose middle-cut salmon fillets if possible. Using same size fillets also helps everything cook evenly.

Q: What should I do if the topping starts to brown too quickly?

Loosely cover the dish with foil for the final part of the cooking time. This protects the topping while allowing the salmon to finish cooking.

Q: Can I reheat leftovers?

Yes. Reheat the salmon gently in the oven at a low temperature until warmed through. Warm the sauce separately for the best texture.

Q: How many people does this recipe serve?

The standard serving size is 6 people. You can easily halve or double the recipe if needed.

Nutrition

The nutrition information below is an estimate based on the ingredients used, including salmon, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, double cream, and fresh herbs. Actual values may vary depending on the exact brands and portion sizes used.

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	610 kcal
Protein	40 g
Carbohydrates	10 g
Sugars	4 g
Fat	44 g
Saturated Fat	18 g
Fibre	2 g
Sodium	720 mg