Pesto Salmon Healthy One Pot Meal Wellplated Com

This recipe is sponsored by DeLallo. Pesto is one of those magic foods that can’t help but lift your mood. A blend of herbs, Parmesan cheese, nuts, lemon, and olive oil, Basil Pesto sings with the promise of warm afternoons, late sunsets, and the kind of easy dinners I long to cook all summer long. Pesto is versatile, vibrant, and anything you add it to comes to life (I actually have a whole list of simple, unique ways to use pesto sauce in my cookbook!). Today, we’re using it to make baked fish with pesto, a healthy salmon recipe that anyone can make. Like my Baked Salmon in Foil, the salmon is tender and flaky, and not at all dry or fishy.

Since pesto is made with olive oil, it helps to keep the salmon ultra moist.The lively basil and nutty Parmesan in pesto give the salmon vibrancy.To turn this basil baked salmon into a one-pan meal, I took a page from my Garlic Salmon with Lemon Butter and roasted vegetables alongside the fish.

How to Make The Best Pesto Salmon

This recipe’s ingredient list is short, one of the reasons I adore it for easy weeknight dinners that still taste special enough to serve to guests. As with any recipe that uses few ingredients, the quality of the ingredients themselves is paramount. Don’t skimp.

The Ingredients

Salmon. Rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins, salmon is a healthy choice. When selecting salmon fillets, I recommend looking for wild-caught varieties, as they tend to be leaner and contain more minerals. Make sure the fillets you select are free of spots and bruising and do not smell “fishy”.

Pesto. The flavor star! Store-bought pestos vary wildly in quality. The best ones taste fresh and peppy; lower quality ones are bland, flat, and will not give you the results you are seeking.

Cherry Tomatoes. Once roasted, these juicy, little tomatoes burst with fantastic sweetness and concentrated flavor.Red Onion. Becomes deliciously caramelized and slightly sweet once roasted.Lemon Juice. Adds brightness, acidity, and makes the pesto pop.Fresh Basil. Basil enhances the pesto flavor and brings a welcome touch of freshness.

The Directions

What to Serve with Pesto Salmon

Thanks to the vegetables that cook along with this baked pesto salmon recipe, you can easily serve it as a stand-alone main course. If you’d like to bulk it up more, here are some ideas: For a quick recipe and salmon temperature tips, check out Baked Salmon at 400 degrees.

Salad. A light and healthy salad like Caesar Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crispy Chickpea Croutons would pair wonderfully with this pesto salmon. Pasta. Serve the salmon and veggies over a bed of noodles: Quick Garlic Pasta with Olive Oil and Parmesan or Zucchini Pasta are two yummy choices.Vegetables. Add more veggies to your meal by serving a side of Sauteed Carrots, Grilled Broccoli, or Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with this salmon.

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate salmon and vegetables in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days. To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Baking Sheet. I use these almost daily.Citrus Juicer. The easiest way to juice a lime or lemon. Instant Read Thermometer. A foolproof way to ensure your salmon is cooked through.

Pesto, presto! Save this recipe and make it all summer long…or anytime you are craving a taste of sunshine. Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe. I am sharing this post in partnership with DeLallo. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands and companies that make it possible for me to continue to create quality content for you!