Description
Craving a flavorful and easy dinner idea? This Juicy Baked Pesto Salmon is everything you need in a quick dinner — healthy, elegant, and packed with herby, garlicky goodness. Perfect for weeknights or special occasions, this easy recipe features flaky salmon fillets smothered in pesto, topped with lemon, and baked to perfection. Whether you’re looking for a protein-rich healthy snack, fast food ideas, or an easy dinner for the family, this baked salmon recipe delivers every time.
Ingredients
4 salmon fillets
1/2 cup basil pesto
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons pine nuts
4 lemon slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or line it with parchment paper.
3. Place the salmon fillets in the dish, skin-side down. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Spread pesto generously over each fillet.
5. Sprinkle minced garlic, pine nuts, and red pepper flakes on top.
6. Top each fillet with a slice of lemon.
7. Bake for 12–15 minutes until the salmon flakes easily and reaches 145°F (63°C).
8. Let rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.
Notes
Let the salmon rest a few minutes after baking to keep it juicy.
Make sure your pesto isn’t too oily or it might slide off the salmon.
Always use fresh lemon slices — they brighten the flavor beautifully.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: easy salmon recipe, pesto salmon, baked fish dinner, quick dinner, healthy salmon, weeknight meal