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?
Wow! My whole family went back for seconds. Super easy and it smells amazing while baking. Five stars, no question.
I didn’t have cream, so I used milk instead. Can’t believe how good it turned out! My family loved it, thanks!
Really? Milk? I wouldn’t have thought that could work. Are you sure it tasted good? I wasn’t happy when I tried substitute ingredients before.
Wow, that’s great to hear! Using milk instead of cream is such a smart idea! I’m glad your family enjoyed it.
Too much cream for my liking. It was more like soup than a bake.
I understand where you’re coming from. The cream can be really overwhelming! Maybe try less next time?
Soup? That’s a bit dramatic! I thought it was perfect for a creamy pasta bake. Just add more pasta if you think it’s too much.
I’m not sure about baking salmon in pasta like this—feels like it might overcook. But honestly, the texture was good. I just wouldn’t go full 25 minutes.
I feel you—25 minutes at 200°C can definitely push salmon into dry territory. I’ve had better luck doing closer to 15-18 mins and making sure it’s just “opaque and flakey,” not cooked to death. Texture wise though? That creamy pesto pasta + tomatoes combo really works.
ngl I tried it once and my salmon was kinda chewy… not like fish should be 😅 Maybe my oven runs hot? Still tasted good, just the timing seems off. Next time I’ll start checking early.
Not gonna lie, I forgot to cut the salmon small and it took forever. Sauce was still good though. Also I may have used penne that cooked too long because I got distracted—still worked.
Tasty but that’s too much cream if you ask me. 😬
Salt and pepper “to taste” is the only part I trust 😂 I forgot to season enough and it was bland until I added more cheese and pepper at the end. Will make again.
Salmon and pasta bakes are hit or miss. This one was kind of bland until I added salt and pepper at the end (like a lot). I’d also add red pepper flakes.
Totally agree—bakes like this can come out kinda flat if the seasoning’s light. Next time I’ll follow your idea and add extra salt/pepper right at the end, and I’ll definitely toss in some red pepper flakes too. Thanks!
Tasty little dish, but where’s the garlic?! How can you have pesto without garlic?
Decent idea, but I think 200°C for 20-25 min runs a bit fast for thicker salmon. I’d suggest checking earlier or cutting the salmon smaller—mine almost dried out on the edges.
This was so easy to make! My family loved it!
It was okay, but I think it needed more seasoning. The pesto was a bit too overwhelming for my taste. I’ll stick to my usual recipes.
So easy to make! Even a caveman could do it! 😂
Pretty good overall. Mine needed a couple extra minutes in the oven to get the salmon fully cooked. Also I might’ve used too much pesto—still tasty though.
Yummy!
Right?! The pesto + cream combo sounds dangerously good. I’m definitely trying this—200°C for 25 mins seems perfect for keeping the salmon juicy.
Yummy but also… do you really use salmon *raw* in it? I feel like 20-25 min might be too short, unless the pieces are tiny. Still gonna try tho 😅
I followed the recipe mostly, but 200°C for 20-25 min felt a bit short—my salmon wasn’t fully cooked until I baked 10 minutes more. Otherwise tasty!
Shud I cook the pasta before? I thought it goes in raw? Totally confused. 😕
Tried this tonight—super comforting. The pesto + cream combo is rich without being too heavy, and the tomatoes pop nicely. Would definitely make again!
This recipe was delish! The pesto mixed with salmon is a game changer. I added a bit of lemon for flavor. 5 stars!
I totally agree! The lemon adds such a nice zing to the dish. Can’t wait to try it myself!
Not gonna lie, I’m skeptical about baking salmon in pasta bake form. But this surprised me—no fishy taste at all. Winner.
The instructions are easy, but I wish it said whether to thaw salmon first (mine was frozen). I baked it a bit longer and it worked, but I panicked for a second lol.
Wow! super easy to make, and my family asked for seconds. I used penne and cherry tomatos and it turned out good. Def making again.
That sounds awesome—pesto + salmon is such a good combo. Glad your family loved it! Did you bake it covered or uncovered the whole time?
I tried something similar but my salmon got a little dry, so I’m not sure about 20–25 min at 200°C. Also cherry tomatos? sounds fine but I would’ve added spinach too. Maybe I just overcooked it lol.
Looks good!—but wait, 200g salmon for 250g pasta? Kinda skimpy? 😅
I used tuna instead of salmon. Is that against the rules? 🤭 It was still good though!
Pasta is pasta, how can you mess that up? This recipe is easy but I prefer my pasta with just butter. 🤷♂️
This was so tasty! My family loved it and wanted seconds! Will definitely make again. 😊
I’m so glad to hear that! This recipe is a family favorite for sure. 😊
Pretty good, but 200°C for 25 mins felt a bit long for my oven. The salmon was done, though, so maybe it’s just mine. Next time I’ll start checking at 18 minutes.
It was alright, but the salmon overcooked in my oven. Maybe it’s just my oven… 🤔
I had the same problem! My salmon got dry too. Maybe our ovens are just not good 🤷♂️.
My kids hated it at first (because green sauce lol) but then they went back for seconds. I’d call it a crowd-pleaser.
Not bad. Kinda salty with store-bought pesto sometimes, so I’d dial back the salt or use low-sodium pesto. Also, I accidentally forgot the parmesan on top at first 🤦♂️
lol this seems fancy but I don’t like salmon. anyway 200C feels too hot, my oven is broken so i baked it like 10 min and it was fine??
This turned out so creamy and comforting—pesto + cream is such a great combo. I used homemade pesto and it tasted fancy without much effort. The salmon stayed juicy too.
Love this combo too! Creamy pesto is such a cheat code—glad your salmon stayed juicy. Did you bake it covered at all, or just straight uncovered until golden?
This recipe is fantastic! I love how creamy it is and the salmon adds a great flavor!
I totally agree! This recipe is a game-changer! The creaminess is just perfect with the salmon. Yum!
It looks good but I’m skeptical about the cream and pesto together. Isn’t that a bit much?
I’m skeptical about mixing cream with pesto, but wow—it works. The top got golden and the tomatoes burst a little. Solid comfort food.
Yum! Can’t believe how quick it was to make. 10/10 will cook again!
Totally agree! This recipe is a lifesaver on busy nights. 😍
This is a cozy dinner idea. The bake timing worked for my salmon pieces, but I did keep an eye on it at 20 minutes. Would recommend cutting the salmon small so it cooks evenly.
Baked this last night but burnt it…lol. Gotta keep an eye on it next time!
This was absolutely delicious! The cream and pesto together made it so flavorful. Will definitely make it again!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! The combination really does make a difference. What’s your favorite pasta dish?
I tried it but not sure if I liked it. The cream felt too heavy or something. Maybe I did something wrong?
Confused about the cream—ended up kinda thick and clumpy until I stirred more. Maybe I didn’t warm it first? But after that, it tasted excellent.
Yeah, that sounds like the cream didn’t fully emulsify with the pesto. I usually let the pesto + cream mix sit for a minute (or warm it slightly in the microwave/stovetop) before combining—then it stays smooth instead of clumpy. Glad it still turned out excellent though!
I followed it and it was kinda bland until I added more pepper and a squeeze of lemon. After that it was way better. Maybe the pesto needed more punch.
I used store-bought pesto and it turned out great, not too salty. Next time I’ll add a little garlic or lemon zest to brighten it up.
I’m skeptical about salmon in a pasta bake… but honestly it was good. The cream helps a lot. Mine came out slightly salty because my pesto was already salty, so watch that.
My husband thought this was the best meal I’ve made all week. Thank you!
I dunno, vegan version might be better?? What do y’all think?
Nah, man, nothing beats real salmon! Vegan just ain’t the same, you know?
I think vegan might be tricky with salmon in the recipe lol. But maybe try some chickpeas instead?
I don’t really follow pesto recipes because I always mess up the basil ratio… but this one was forgiving. Parmesan on top is key.
Totally agree—parmesan on top makes it feel like a real bake, not just pasta with sauce. I’m also bad with basil ratios 😅 but the cream + pesto combo really smooths everything out. Gonna try adding a little extra black pepper too.
This recipe was amazing! My family loved it! Definitely a keeper!
I tried this recipe and it was a total disaster! The salmon was overcooked and the pasta was mushy. Never again!
I didn’t love it. The pesto was too strong for my taste.
It was ok, but felt like something was missing. Maybe some lemon or something for freshness? 🤔
Easy recipe! I added some spinach for extra greens.
Really easy and tastes amazing! I added a bit of garlic for extra flavor. Highly recommend!
I’m glad you liked it! Garlic is always a good idea. I’m gonna try that next time!
Seems too easy. Are you sure it tastes amazing? How’s the texture with cream?
I tried it with store pesto and regular cream. It tasted great, but I got worried when I mixed raw salmon into the bowl—still baked through fine though.
Made this tonight—super comforting. The pesto + cream combo is delicious and the salmon stays juicy. I did bake a couple minutes longer for full doneness.
Pretty solid, but I think 20 minutes was a little tight for my oven. I had to bake closer to 28 to cook the salmon through. Still tasty though!
28 minutes?! Mine would be dry by then 😅 I usually broil for 2-3 minutes at the end. Also are you sure the salmon pieces were bite size? Maybe cut thinner?
Totally agree—ovens vary a lot. 20 min always feels optimistic for salmon + pasta bake. Glad it still turned out tasty!
I don’t get the cream + pesto combo. It tasted a little too rich and salty for me. Maybe next time I’ll use half the pesto or swap in milk.
Fantastic! I used chicken instead of salmon. Still turned out great!
Great choice swapping chicken! I’m sure it was delicious. Sometimes, you gotta make it work with what ya have!
Chicken? Really? I don’t know, man, salmon is like, the star of this dish. But if you liked it, then cool I guess.
Confusing steps, I burnt mine. Should’ve listened to the oven timer.
I feel you! I once burnt a whole tray of cookies because I ignored the timer. It’s so easy to lose track! Next time, maybe set a timer on your phone too?
I accidentally used low-fat cream (oops). Still okay, just less rich—more like a pesto pasta casserole than a creamy bake. Would probably be 5/5 with heavy cream.
Honestly, that still sounds pretty tasty 😄 Low-fat cream should just make it a bit lighter—still a win with pesto. If you like the richer version next time, heavy cream would definitely bring the “creamy bake” vibe back. Thanks for the heads-up!
Pasta bake? More like pasta flop! 🎉
Is this supposed to be healthy? Cream and cheese? Nah.
Mine didn’t brown much after 25 minutes, more like warm and pale. Could be my oven, but I’d recommend broiling at the end.