Baked Salmon with Pesto and Tomatoes (Printable)

Tender salmon fillets topped with basil pesto and roasted cherry tomatoes. A fresh, flavorful Mediterranean dish ready in under 30 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 skinless salmon fillets, 6 oz each

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Pesto

04 - 1/3 cup basil pesto, store-bought or homemade

→ Pantry

05 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

08 - Fresh basil leaves for serving
09 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
02 - Arrange salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Season each fillet with salt and pepper.
03 - Spread approximately 1 tablespoon of pesto over the top of each salmon fillet.
04 - In a mixing bowl, toss cherry tomatoes and red onion (if using) with olive oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper.
05 - Scatter the seasoned tomatoes and onion around the salmon fillets on the baking sheet.
06 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the tomatoes are roasted and tender.
07 - Plate the salmon and vegetables. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The salmon stays incredibly moist while the edges get just slightly crisp, creating this perfect texture contrast that restaurant salmon often misses.
  • Its that rare 30-minute meal that feels special enough for company but easy enough that you can throw it together while helping with homework or having a glass of wine.
02 -
  • Dont rush removing the salmon from the oven even if it looks underdone at first glance, as it continues cooking for about 2-3 minutes after you take it out.
  • Patting the salmon dry with paper towels before seasoning makes a remarkable difference in how well the pesto adheres and how beautifully the top caramelizes.
03 -
  • Always let your salmon sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking for more even results and to prevent that white protein from seeping out.
  • The cooking time sweet spot is when the center of your salmon reaches 125°F for medium-rare or 130°F for medium rather than following a strict time guideline.

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