Sushi Bake with Salmon Avocado (Printable)

Layers of seasoned rice, flaked salmon, avocado, and nori baked until golden and served with soy sauce.

# Ingredient list:

→ Rice Layer

01 - 2 cups sushi rice
02 - 2 1/2 cups water
03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Salmon Layer

06 - 14 ounces skinless salmon fillet
07 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
08 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Creamy Layer

10 - 3.5 ounces cream cheese, softened
11 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie)
12 - 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional)
13 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice

→ Toppings

14 - 2 avocados, sliced
15 - 3 sheets roasted nori, cut into small squares
16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
17 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced

→ For Serving

18 - Soy sauce for dipping
19 - Pickled ginger (optional)
20 - Wasabi (optional)

# How-to:

01 - Rinse sushi rice in cold water until clear. Combine with water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
02 - Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Gently fold mixture into cooked rice and fluff with a fork. Spread rice evenly in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Place salmon on parchment-lined baking tray. Brush with soy sauce, sesame oil and sprinkle with black pepper. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until cooked through. Flake salmon with a fork.
04 - Whisk cream cheese, mayonnaise, sriracha (if using), and lemon juice until smooth. Fold in flaked salmon evenly.
05 - Spread salmon mixture evenly over rice in baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes until warmed and lightly golden on top.
06 - Top casserole with sliced avocado, nori squares, sesame seeds, and spring onions. Slice and serve warm with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like sushi but ditches the rolling skill—pure joy without the anxiety.
  • Everything bakes together, which means less active time and more time to relax or set the table.
  • The cream cheese and avocado layers create a richness that makes it feel fancy but genuinely easy.
02 -
  • Don't skip letting the rice rest after cooking—it makes the difference between fluffy grains and a dense, mushy base that won't support your layers.
  • Add avocado only after baking, or it'll turn brown and lose that buttery texture that makes people close their eyes when they bite into it.
  • Kewpie mayo genuinely changes this dish—regular mayo works, but the slight sweetness and creamier consistency of Kewpie elevate every bite.
03 -
  • Keep extra soy sauce and wasabi nearby—people always want more, and offering choices makes serving feel generous without requiring extra cooking.
  • This casserole reheats beautifully in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes, though the avocado works better added after reheating so it stays bright.
Return