This is a dish that brings together the rich, savory flavors of salmon and the aromatic, herby goodness of pesto in one comforting casserole. This bake offers a perfect balance of creamy, cheesy pasta combined with the distinct flavor of pesto, all topped with tender chunks of salmon. Whether you’re looking for a hearty family dinner or a simple yet elegant meal to serve guests, this dish is sure to impress.
The beauty of this pasta bake lies in its layers of flavor. The pesto, made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil, infuses the pasta and salmon with a vibrant herbal essence that’s both rich and fresh. The creamy texture of the pasta complements the bold pesto, while the salmon adds a delicious, flaky contrast. Each bite offers a satisfying combination of flavors, making it a dish that feels indulgent but not too heavy.
What makes this pasta bake especially appealing is how easy it is to prepare. With just a few ingredients, you can create a flavorful, comforting meal. The pasta is cooked and mixed with the pesto and flaked salmon, then baked until golden and bubbly. The baking process melds all the flavors together, allowing the pesto to infuse every bite of the pasta, while the salmon becomes tender and slightly crispy on top. A sprinkle of cheese adds a creamy, melty finish, making it even more irresistible.
This pasta is versatile, too. You can easily swap the salmon for another type of fish, like tuna or trout, depending on your preference. For a vegetarian version, substitute the fish with roasted vegetables or a plant-based protein. You can also add some greens, like spinach or arugula, for extra freshness.
This dish is a perfect blend of convenience, flavor, and comfort. Whether you’re serving it on a busy weeknight or for a special occasion, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- 200 g salmon fillets skinless and boneless
- 250 g penne pasta or pasta of choice
- 100 g pesto store-bought or homemade
- 150 ml cream heavy cream
- 100 g cherry tomatoes halved
- 50 g parmesan cheese grated
- to taste Salt and pepper for seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the pesto, cream, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add the drained pasta, salmon fillets (cut into bite-sized pieces), and cherry tomatoes to the pesto mixture, and gently stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and the top is golden brown.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving. Enjoy your Pesto Salmon Pasta Bake!
Nutrition
This was soooo good! The family devoured it in minutes!
Nah, didnt work out for me. Not a fan of salmon in pasta I guess. 🤷♂️
Easy to make but my pasta got a bit mushy 🤷♀️. Maybe I cooked it too long? Still tasted good, tho!
Why cream AND pesto? Seems like it would be too rich. But yeah… it is rich. I ate it anyway. Could probably use half the cream if you’re not into heavy sauces.
Totally fair—cream + pesto is definitely on the rich side. I like it because the cream mellows the pesto and helps the pasta bake up extra creamy, but yeah, cutting it to half is a smart move if you want it lighter.
I think salmon tastes like fishy cardboard! Never gonna try this.
No way this is as good as it sounds… but wow. I used store-bought pesto and it tasted fresh. Next time I’ll add a little garlic or spinach for extra flavor.
Easy and quick, but I wish the recipe had more sauce guidance. Mine came out a little thick, so I added an extra splash of cream.
Decent idea, but 20-25 min felt a little tight for my oven. I ended up baking closer to 30 min to fully cook the salmon and melt/brown the top. Still tasty though.
I was skeptical about baking salmon with pasta, but it worked! Cherry tomatoes popped in the oven and the top went nice and golden.
Delicious! I added some spinach for extra greens. Yum!!!
Sounds great! Spinach is a smart addition. I’ll try that next time.
Yum? I dunno, I think salmon and pesto is a weird combo. Spinach or not, I’m skeptical.
How much is 200g in ounces? I can never convert these things right. Help!
200g is about 7.05 ounces! I always use Google for conversions, it helps a lot.
Looks good on paper, but I think it would be better stovetop instead of oven. Baking dried my salmon a bit. Maybe cover it with foil halfway?
I don’t know about mixing salmon with pesto. Sounds weird to me. Gonna try but skeptical.
Super easy and fast for an oven meal. I swapped penne for fusilli and it worked fine. Honestly 10/10 for weeknights.
The tomatoes made it watery for me—like, a lot. Maybe I should’ve patted them dry or used less. Tasty but the texture was off.
Pasta bake? Who knew? My grandma used to make something similar, but with chicken.
Delicious! The cream and pesto combo is heavenly! 😍
I love pesto! That sounds super yummy. Gonna try it for dinner! 🥳
Pasta bake? More like a pasta mistake! Didn’t like the salmon mixed with everything. Yuck!
Pasta in the oven? Sounds weird, but I tried it and it’s actually good! I was surprised.
The recipe said 20-25 mins, but mine took 40! What’s up with that?!
That happened to me too! I think my oven runs a bit cooler than it says, so I have to bake everything longer. Maybe check your oven temp with a thermometer?