Baked Salmon with Pesto (Printable)

Tender salmon fillets topped with basil pesto and cherry tomatoes, baked for a fresh Mediterranean dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 salmon fillets (approximately 5.3 oz each), skin-on or skinless

→ Vegetables

02 - 8.8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Pesto

04 - 4 tbsp basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)

→ Seasonings

05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - ½ tsp salt
07 - ¼ tsp black pepper
08 - ½ lemon, cut into wedges

→ Garnish

09 - Fresh basil leaves

# How-to Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Place salmon fillets evenly on the prepared tray. Season with salt and black pepper.
03 - Spread 1 tablespoon of basil pesto evenly over each salmon fillet.
04 - Distribute halved cherry tomatoes and red onion slices (if using) around the salmon. Drizzle olive oil over all ingredients.
05 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork and tomatoes are soft and blistered.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and lemon wedges.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than thirty minutes, which means weeknight dinners that taste like you actually tried.
  • The salmon stays impossibly tender while the tomatoes burst into sweet little flavor bombs.
  • One tray, minimal cleanup, and somehow it tastes fancier than it has any right to be.
02 -
  • Don't skip the parchment paper—it keeps the bottom from sticking and makes cleanup almost disappear.
  • The moment the salmon flakes easily is the moment to pull it out; one minute too long and it dries out, but you have a small window where it's still forgiving.
  • If your pesto is very oily, drizzle less of the olive oil, as pesto brings its own richness to the party.
03 -
  • Arrange your tomatoes cut-side down so they caramelize slightly and create little flavor nuggets rather than just steaming in place.
  • If you're using dairy-free pesto or have any concerns about allergens, always check the label—store-bought versions can hide nuts or dairy depending on the brand.

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