Pesto Salmon
Pesto Salmon is a quick and elegant dish featuring tender salmon fillets topped with fresh, herby basil pesto. Baked to perfection in under 20 minutes, it’s a healthy, flavorful, and effortless dinner option for busy nights or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
- 1/4 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional, for serving)
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes or 1 bunch asparagus (optional, for roasting alongside)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease.
- Pat salmon fillets dry and place them skin-side down on the sheet pan.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Spoon 1–2 tbsp pesto over each fillet and spread evenly.
- (Optional) Add cherry tomatoes or asparagus to the pan, drizzle with olive oil, and season lightly.
- Bake 12–15 minutes, until salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches 125–130°F (52–54°C).
- Remove from oven and rest for 2 minutes.
- Serve with lemon juice and garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Leave skin on for juicier salmon—it can be removed after cooking.
- Store-bought pesto works fine, but homemade adds fresher flavor.
- Try with different pestos like sun-dried tomato or arugula pesto.
- Air fryer option: cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes.
- Leftovers are delicious cold in pasta, salads, or wraps.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (based on 4 servings)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/pesto-salmon/
