Baked Pesto Salmon

Name: Baked Pesto Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 cup basil pesto; 1 cup cherry tomatoes; 1/2 white onion (sliced); 1 tablespoon olive oil; Lemon wedges (for serving); Fresh basil (for serving)

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This super easy Baked Pesto Salmon recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight! This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes.

Recipe Inspiration

I've been making this easy pesto salmon for years, so I thought it deserved it's own spot on the blog!

Pesto is one of my favorite sauces. It's packed with healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts and is so delicious. And it's super easy to make at home - you can make it in a food processor with only a few ingredients.

It's delicious on salmon - one of my favorite fish. You can easily find salmon at your local grocery store. It's a delicious fish that's so versatile! I love salmon grilled, baked, or with rice - it's always delicious! And this recipe is no exception. It's so simple and couldn't be easier.

Make this recipe for meal prep, a weeknight dinner, or for entertaining! It's delicious no matter what the occasion.

If you're looking for more salmon recipes, check out our Baked Greek Salmon, Spinach Stuffed Salmon, Salmon Caesar Salad, and Pistachio Crusted Salmon recipes.

Jump to:

Recipe Inspiration
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Ingredients
Directions
Expert Tips and Tricks
Kitchen Equipment
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
What To Serve With
Frequently Asked Questions
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Other Recipes to Try
Baked Pesto Salmon

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Delicious - This salmon recipe is so delicious. Each bite is packed with flavor that your family will truly love! It's really a perfect dish for the whole family. Great for entertaining too!

Approachable - This fish dish is approachable and is easy to make. You only need a few kitchen tools to make this great recipe. The best part of this recipe is easy enough to make for a weeknight, but also fancy-feeling enough to make for a date night!

Kid Friendly - This is a great recipe for adults and children!

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need for this recipe:

Salmon filets - Or buy a whole salmon and cut in individual filets!
Salt - I recommend using Kosher salt or flake salt
Black Pepper - Freshly cracked black pepper
Homemade Pesto - Check out my Green Goddess Pesto and Mint and Basil Pesto recipes! Or if you don't have time to make homemade basil pesto, store bought jarred pesto is just fine!
Cherry Tomatoes - You can also use grape tomatoes. I used yellow pear tomatoes from my garden and they were delicious!
White Onion - Thinly sliced. You can also use a shallot
Olive Oil - Use regular olive oil. You can also use canola oil or avocado oil as a substitute.
Lemon Wedges - For garnish
Fresh basil - For garnish

Directions

Let's make this delicious baked salmon recipe together!

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400F.

Step 2

Pat salmon fillets dry and season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Line a large baking sheet or baking dish with parchment paper. Place salmon fillets on the baking sheet. Spread pesto sauce evenly over salmon.

Step 4

Combine cherry tomatoes, white onion, and olive oil in a small bowl. Spread on baking sheet around the salmon.

salmon, pesto, tomatoes, and onion on a baking tray

Step 5

Bake for 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the salmon reaches 145F. Serve with lemon wedges and fresh basil.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Here are some expert tips to make this delicious easy weeknight dinner recipe perfect.

Use a Meat Thermometer - Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your salmon. Salmon is considered cooked at 145F.

Complete the Meal - Complete the meal with a salad, garlic bread, green beans, white rice, and a glass of white wine!

Utilize Leftovers - Use leftovers for meal prep. This basil pesto salmon makes a great meal prep option! Or, make salmon pesto pasta with the leftovers.

Kitchen Equipment

Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.

Instant Read Thermometer - This thermometer will help you get tender flaky salmon that's perfectly cooked every time!

Sheet Pan - This sheet pan is great quality and won't warp while your salmon is baking. If you're in need of an upgrade, check them out!

Serving Tray - I love a good serving platter, and this serving tray is sleek and simple, so the food is the star!

Recipe Substitutions/Variations

Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this healthy dinner recipe.

Veggies - You can use any veggies you have on hand in this salmon recipe. Spinach, kale, peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms would be delicious on this easy baked salmon.

Breadcrumbs - Top this healthy salmon recipe with breadcrumbs for an extra bite of texture. Or, top with extra parmesan cheese for a delicious addition.

Pesto - You can use store-bought pesto, spicy pesto, or pesto rosso in this recipe.

What To Serve With

Here are some suggestion on what to serve this healthy meal with:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does salmon cook for?

Salmon is cooked through at 400F baked for 15 minutes. Every oven is different, though, so make sure you use a meat thermometer!

How do you know when salmon is finished?

Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness of salmon - 145F. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can gently press down on the salmon. If the fish flakes, it's ready to eat!

Do you eat salmon skin?

Salmon skin is perfectly fine to eat. Eating salmon skin is a personal preference and depends on your personal tastes.

Recipe Storage and Reheating

Here are storage and reheating instructions for this recipe.

Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight continuer and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.

Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.

Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat until warm.

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