Description
Red Snapper with Creamy Creole Sauce is a vibrant seafood dish featuring tender, oven-baked snapper topped with a rich, spicy Southern-inspired sauce made from tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, and cream. It’s flavorful, elegant, and easy enough for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
4 red snapper fillets
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
1 tsp Creole seasoning
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp thyme
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season the snapper fillets with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear the fillets for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Meanwhile, in another skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and bell pepper, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Add diced tomatoes, heavy cream, Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley.
- Plate the baked red snapper and generously spoon the creamy Creole sauce on top before serving.
Notes
- Swap red snapper for other firm white fish like grouper or cod.
- To enhance flavor, add shrimp, tomato paste, or a splash of white wine to the sauce.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of cream if needed.
- Make the sauce ahead of time for quick assembly.
- Serve with rice, grits, mashed potatoes, and a green vegetable or salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with sauce
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg