Baked Pesto Salmon is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines the richness of salmon with the vibrant, herbaceous flavors of pesto. The salmon is coated with a layer of pesto sauce made from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, and olive oil, which infuses the fish with a burst of flavor as it bakes. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special meal when you want something healthy, flavorful, and satisfying.
The salmon itself is tender, flaky, and slightly buttery, making it the perfect base for the bold, savory pesto. To prepare, simply coat the salmon fillets with pesto sauce, then bake them until the fish is cooked through and the pesto has developed a slight crispness on top. The result is a beautifully roasted salmon with a vibrant green crust that adds an extra layer of flavor without overpowering the delicate taste of the fish.
To make the pesto, you can use traditional basil and pine nuts, or get creative by adding other herbs like parsley or arugula. For a lighter option, you can substitute the traditional pesto ingredients with a low-fat version, using Greek yogurt or avocado for a creamy texture.
Baked Pesto Salmon pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, from roasted vegetables to a light salad or even pasta. The rich, fresh flavors of the pesto elevate the salmon, making it a dish that feels both gourmet and comforting. The best part is that it takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy evenings when you want a healthy and flavorful meal without a lot of effort.
This dish is not only quick and easy but also packed with nutrients, offering heart-healthy omega-3s from the salmon and a burst of antioxidants from the fresh pesto. It’s a simple yet impressive way to enjoy seafood with a fresh, herbal twist.
Ingredients
- 200 grams salmon fillet skinless
- 2 tablespoons pesto store-bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
- Place the salmon fillet skin-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Spread the pesto evenly over the top of the salmon fillet.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the top and season with salt and black pepper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Baked this for my kids, they didn’t like it at all. They said it tasted weird. 1 star!
I used store-bought pesto and it still tasted like restaurant food. Next time I’ll add a squeeze of lemon too.
Not bad, but 200°C for 18-20 min felt a little too hot for my oven. Next time I’ll start checking at 15.
This was so easy to make! My whole family loved it. I added some lemon slices on top and it was perfect. Definitely a recipe I’ll be using again.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Adding lemon is such a great idea. I will try that next time!
salmon is good but we dont eat fish in my family no thanks.
Yummm!!! 😋 This tasted sooo good! I can’t believe how fast it was to make. Totally recommend to anyone who’s busy but wanna eat good!
Baked pesto salmon? Never heard of it. I’m not sure if I trust this recipe.
Baked pesto salmon is actually delicious! You should give it a try before you judge. 🤤
Pesto salmon is my go-to when I want dinner on the table quick. This recipe is straight to the point—no drama.
Recipe was good but fish got overcooked. I’ll try again with less time next time. 3 stars.
This was super easy and the pesto made it feel fancy. Mine took closer to 20 minutes but it was perfect when it flaked!
Not impressed. The salmon turned out kinda dry and the pesto wasn’t strong enough for my taste. Might stick to grilling in the future.
Sorry to hear that! Maybe try a different pesto brand next time? Some are really stronger than others!
Grilling is always a solid choice! But I think if you adjust the cooking time, it might not be dry next time.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about “just bake it” but it worked. Flavor was bold, and cleanup was minimal with parchment.
I had the same skepticism—“just bake it” sounds too easy. But the bold flavor tracks, especially with the pesto and a little olive oil. Minimal mess is a win.
Not bad, but I think 200°C is a little hot for my oven. Mine dried out at 20 min, so next time I’ll start checking around 15.
Simple and tasty! I had some fresh basil pesto so I used that. Will make it again!
Sounds delicious! I love using fresh ingredients. Can’t wait to try this myself.
I didn’t really understand the pesto thing. Is it like sauce? I ended up just using butter and it was ok, but I think I’ll try it with pesto next time.
I didn’t have parchment so I used foil—stuck a little, but the taste was still great. Would recommend lining the pan like the recipe says.
Wow, who knew salmon could taste so good?! I’m not a fish person but I’d eat this again!
Salmon and pesto? Sounds weird but it was good! Who knew? 😮
This is almost too simple lol. Still, the pesto + pepper combo was legit. I used homemade pesto and it tasted fancy for basically zero effort.
Totally agree—pesto on salmon feels fancy but it’s basically plug-and-play. The pepper really wakes it up.
I tried this and it was… okay? I think 18 minutes was not enough for my thicker fillet, like the middle was still kinda raw. Next time I’ll check earlier but cook longer.
Made this tonight—super easy and the pesto flavor is perfect with the salmon. I baked mine closer to 20 minutes and it flaked beautifully.
Love this! I did the same—pesto + salmon is such a good combo. I also give it closer to 20 min and it flakes perfectly. Thanks for sharing!
This was meh. The salmon didn’t have enough flavor. I’ll stick with lemon next time.
I think the pesto adds flavor, but if you’re not a fan, lemon is a classic choice! Have you tried mixing in some garlic or adding capers? It might change your mind about it!
I don’t get why people rave about fish… who even likes salmon? I’ll stick to chicken.
I don’t like salmon, but I made this for my husband. He loved it! So I guess that’s good.
I tried this but it was way too salty for my taste. Maybe use less salt next time? 🤔
Wow, my kids loved it! Finally, a healthy meal they enjoy.
I accidentally put it skin-on first (didn’t read step 2 right). Still tasted good, but the texture wasn’t as great. Learned my lesson.
Solid weeknight meal. The salmon stayed moist, and the olive oil helped it not dry out. Would make again.
Totally agree—200°C for 18-20 mins is the sweet spot. I also do the drizzle right before baking so it stays juicy.
Hmm I tried this but mine came out a little dry. Maybe I overcooked or my oven runs hot. Still tasted good though!
Not bad, but the pesto store-bought I had was salty, so I skipped most of the added salt. Still worked out though.
This tastes like restaurant salmon. The pesto really caramelized on top. My picky kid even ate it lol.
This was so easy and delicious! The pesto really elevated the salmon. Will definitely make again!
Not bad, but store-bought pesto can be super salty. Next time I’ll reduce the added salt (or skip it).
I used homemade pesto and it was amazing! So fresh and delicious. Definitely a keeper!
Sounds good but I don’t know, I prefer store-bought. Homemade seems too complicated for me.
Homemade pesto really makes a difference! I’m glad you loved it. I’ll definitely try this out.
Honestly I didn’t taste much beyond the pesto. Maybe I under-seasoned? Also my oven runs hot, so next time I’ll check earlier.
I don’t have parchment paper so I just used foil—cleanup was kinda meh and the bottom stuck a little. Flavor was still good!
Is 200°C really right? That sounds a bit hot for salmon. I usually cook it at lower temp. Help?
Not bad but I expected more flavor. Need to add more spices next time!
I totally agree! I think adding some garlic powder or lemon zest could really boost the flavor.
It was alrite, but I’ve had better salmon. Maybe I’m just not a fan of pesto?
Too easy. Probably bland.
3/5 because my pesto was super salty, so I had to go light on the salt step. Otherwise good and quick.
pesto salmon yum!
This was super easy to make! My whole family loved it. 5 stars!
Easy? I tried it and it was way too salty! Maybe I did something wrong?
I’m so glad your family loved it! This recipe is a hit! 😍
Pesto on salmon is a cheat code. The olive oil helps a lot—my top got kinda caramel-y around the edges.
Delicious! The pesto adds such a nice flavor! 😍
I totally agree! The pesto really enhances the flavor, it’s like magic! 🌟
Store-bought pesto can be salty, so I barely added extra salt. Worked out fine. Would recommend tasting your pesto first.
Turned out super flavorful—pesto + salmon is such a great combo. I added a squeeze of lemon at the end and it made it pop.
Eh, salmon is okay but I wanted more flavor. The pesto feels a bit mild unless you use a strong one.
I think I cooked it too long 🙁. It turned out dry. Maybe lower the temp next time?
I think the skinless part is important—mine got a bit dry. Also I forgot the parchment and… yeah, cleanup was tragic.
Pretty easy, but I baked mine closer to 22 minutes because my fillet was thicker. Still came out moist and flaky.
This was sooo good! The pesto really gave it a nice flavor. 5 stars for sure!
This recipe is super easy! My salmon turned out perfectly flaky. Will definitely make again!
200°C for 18-20 seems too hot? My salmon overcooked and got that dry edge. Maybe my fillet was thinner, idk.
I used store-bought pesto because I’m too lazy to make my own. It worked fine! 😅
Salt ‘to taste’ is not helpful lol—how much is that? I overdid it slightly, but otherwise the timing is on point.
Totally—“to taste” is vague. For salmon like this, I usually use about 1/4 tsp kosher salt (or roughly half that if it’s fine table salt), then adjust after. If you think you overdid it a bit, a squeeze of lemon on top after baking helps cut the saltiness.
I hear ya 😅 I just do a pinch, but… salt is weird because different brands. Maybe start with like a quarter teaspoon? If it’s salty after, next time skip the salt and just rely on the pesto—some pesto already has plenty.
18 minutes exactly and my fish was still a little raw in the middle… maybe my oven runs cold? Would try again with a thermometer.
Yeah 18 min is super timing-sensitive—ovens vary a lot. A thermometer is the move. Aim for ~125–130°F (52–54°C) for medium/juicy or 135°F (57°C) if you like it more done.
Mine was perfect at 18-20, so maybe your fillet was thicker? Also did you preheat fully? If not, it can stay raw in the middle.
Not as flavorful as I expected. I think I needed more pesto or spices. 2/5
I tried it but I think I overcooked the salmon. 😕 Any tips for making it less dry?
Made this last night—super quick and the pesto flavor is legit. I used homemade pesto and it came out juicy even after 20 minutes.
Meh. Salmon tastes fishy like usual. Pesto doesn’t fix it for me.
18-20 minutes feels like a lot for 200g salmon… I checked at 16 and it was perfect. If you leave it longer, it turns rubbery fast.
I’m skeptical about baking salmon with pesto because I always worry it’ll burn. Luckily it didn’t—still, watch it near the end.
Same! Pesto can go a little dark fast. I’m glad yours didn’t burn—I’ll definitely keep an eye on the last few minutes like you said.
Wait… 200°C for 18-20 min seems long? My salmon always dries out at that temp. Maybe I should use less time or cover with foil? Also I add like garlic in the pesto… not sure if that helps.
OMG, so yum! I am gonna make this for my family! 😂
Easy recipe, but I wish it told you what to serve with it. Rice? Salad? Any thoughts?
Totally—this one’s great with something simple. I usually do rice (or quinoa) and a quick lemony salad on the side. Even roasted potatoes work if you want it heartier.
Hmm I’d just eat it as-is? Like, pesto salmon with bread maybe. I’m not sure about serving it with rice… but salad sounds kinda watery, idk. 😅
I’m not a fan of pesto on fish. It tasted kinda strong for me, like too herb-y. But I can see why others like it.
I followed it pretty closely, but 200°C felt a bit high for my oven. It came out a touch dry, though the pesto flavor was great.
I used homemade pesto and added a squeeze of lemon at the end. Turned out super moist. Would make again for sure.
Made this tonight—super fast and the pesto flavor is legit. I used homemade pesto and it turned out juicy, not dry. Would do again!
I only had low-fantasy pesto (like super salty jar), so I had to go light on the salt or it was a bit much. Kinda confusing at first but still yummy.
Mine didn’t flake easily until I left it 25 minutes… maybe my fillet was thicker? Still delicious, though.
Pretty tasty, but 18-20 minutes felt a little long for my thinner fillet. Next time I’ll start checking at like 14.