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If you’re looking to eat more omega-3s (who isn’t these days?!), this baked pesto salmon recipe with tomatoes gets the job done in the most delicious way! Not only is it incredibly easy and ready in just around 20 minutes, but it’s also made with just 4 simple ingredients. And, it’s so tasty!
If you love salmon with toppings like this basil pesto salmon, you’d also like my basic baked salmon recipe and lemon parmesan crusted salmon.
I prefer my baked pesto salmon with quick homemade basil pesto, but any pesto sauce you like will work. If you choose to buy it, avoid added starches in the ingredients.
This easy pesto salmon recipe was originally published on August 28, 2016, and the post was republished in September 2020 to add updated pictures, useful tips, and some improvements to the ingredient ratio and cook time.
What Is Pesto Salmon?
Pesto salmon is exactly like it sounds – baked salmon with pesto spread over it.
However, for this recipe we’re actually making the baked salmon with pesto butter on top, which makes it extra rich and flavorful. This is called Salmon Milano in Italy.
I first saw salmon Milano being sold ready-to-go at Costco, and only had to try it once before deciding that I definitely had to make my own version.
How To Make Baked Pesto Salmon
This delicious baked salmon and pesto recipe couldn’t be easier! Here’s how to make it:
- Make butter pesto sauce. Puree basil pesto and softened butter in a blender or food processor, until smooth.
TIP: If you are making homemade basil pesto, you can make it right in the food processor, then just add the softened butter at the end.
- Spread pesto over salmon. Arrange your salmon fillets in a baking dish and spread with pesto. (I love wild-caught salmon delivered from here – use this link for $15 off a box.)
- Top with tomatoes. Place two slices on each fillet.
- Bake. It’s done when the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
How long to bake pesto salmon?
This baked salmon recipe with pesto takes about 12-15 minutes for individual fillets, or 16-25 minutes for a whole large fillet.
Pesto Salmon Recipe FAQs
Can you put pesto on salmon?
Yes, baked salmon with basil pesto is awesome! The topping adds an incredible rich flavor to the fish and locks in moisture, too.
Can you make pesto salmon with a whole large salmon fillet, instead of individual fillets?
Absolutely! This is shown in the video on the recipe card below.
Instead of placing individual fillets into a baking dish, you can place a large fillet on a large baking sheet, wrapped on all sides with foil, and bake. A whole large fillet will take 5-10 minutes longer to bake.
TIP: If you want to avoid having foil touch your food, place parchment paper inside the foil before placing the salmon on it.
Why is my pesto salmon dry?
Pesto salmon should be anything but dry! Salmon is a fatty fish, plus the pesto locks in moisture as well.
If yours is dry, it means it was overcooked. Try checking on it sooner next time.
Basil Pesto Salmon Storage Instructions
Can you make it ahead?
This salmon is best served fresh, so I would recommend making right before serving. If you’re making the pesto from scratch, you can definitely make that ahead.
How to store salmon with pesto sauce
Store this baked salmon and pesto in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Can you freeze baked salmon with pesto sauce?
Yes, you can freeze baked salmon with pesto butter for 2-3 months. Remove the tomatoes before freezing, as they will get mushy in the freezer.
How to reheat baked pesto salmon
For best results, reheat the salmon in the oven at low temperature just until hot – 300 degrees works well. You can also microwave, but that will dry it out.
What To Serve With Pesto Baked Salmon
Salmon and pesto pair well with other Italian flavors. Try these easy side dishes:
- Roasted Asparagus – You can even throw this in together with the salmon. Or if you prefer more variety, you can make a mix of roasted vegetables.
- Avocado Caprese Salad – Fresh and flavorful!
- Zucchini Noodles – The perfect accompaniment to pesto baked salmon.
- Caesar Salad – Skip the chicken and make this simple salad with crunchy parm crisps.
More Healthy Seafood Recipes
If you like this baked pesto salmon recipe, you’ll love some of these other healthy seafood recipes:
- Coconut Shrimp – Just 6 simple ingredients to make this crispy favorite.
- Broiled Lobster Tail – Fancy date night IN, and this show-stopper will take just 20 minutes to make.
- Keto Ahi Poke Bowl – Just like your favorite poke, but made keto with cauliflower rice. It’s a genius swap!
- Lemon Butter Baked Tilapia – Looks elegant, with the easiest prep.
- Salmon Foil Packets – If you want your entire meal in one packet, this is it.
- Thai Shrimp Lettuce Wraps – This simple meal takes just 15 minutes to make, but it’s not short on flavor!
Tools To Make Salmon With Pesto Sauce
Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.
- Blender – This blender will easily puree your ingredients for basil pesto salmon.
- Baking Sheet – The best baking sheet, made in the USA! Perfect to make baked salmon with pesto and tomatoes.
- Foil – If you cook this baked salmon recipe with pesto in foil, clean up will be EASY!
Baked Basil Pesto Salmon Recipe
Baked Basil Pesto Salmon Recipe
Flavorful basil pesto salmon with tomatoes is one of the easiest meals ever! This baked pesto salmon recipe needs just 4 ingredients and 20 minutes.
Go Ad-FreeRecipe Video
Tap on the image below to watch the video.Like this video? Subscribe to my YouTube cooking channel for healthy recipes weekly! (Click the bell icon to be notified when I post a new video.)
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Add salmon filets to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
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Puree the basil pesto and softened butter in a food processor, until smooth.
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Spread the pesto evenly over the salmon filet. Arrange two tomato slices on top of each filet. Cover the baking dish with foil. (Try to avoid placing the foil directly onto the pesto, leave some space instead.)
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Bake for 12-15 minutes for individual fillets, or 16-25 minutes for a large whole fillet, until the salmon is just opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Open a corner of the foil to test for doneness; if not done yet, reseal and return to the oven until done.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 salmon fillet
Nutrition info is based on store bought basil pesto. My homemade 2-minute basil pesto recipe is even better if you have fresh basil.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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23 Comments
Margo
0Made this for my daughter, son-in-law, and 18 month old granddaughter for a quick dinner after a long day of work. It was a hit with all of them. The 18 month old wanted “more” and ended up eating an entire piece of salmon portion by herself! Served with sauteed zucchini.
kazy
0This turned out great. I’m watching my weight so I didn’t add the butter to the pesto sauce. The first time I tried it with salmon, but thought the salmon’s strong taste dominated over the pesto and tomatoes so I used white fish (tilapia) the next time and it was much better as I could then taste the combo pesto and tomato flavors. Thanks for sharing.
Pat DePauw
0Are the fillets skinless throughout the process?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Pat, I am not exactly sure what you are asking?
Pat DePauw
0I’ve never cooked salmon. When I look on the grocery site, it lists salmon fillets without the skin and also fillets with the skin. The pictures on your site appear to have no skin, but I just want to make sure which type to buy before I get started.
Alba D'Amore
0It’s an absolute favorite with my family!!
kazy
0This was so good. I used your basil pesto sauce recipe too. Everything was amazing. Oh, I also used your “How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven” recipe so I ended putting everything on a sheet pan and baked both recipes together for 15 mins. at 400 degrees F. The salmon came out so silky. Outstanding. I will be making it the whole week . Thanks so much for all your recipes.
wilhelmina
0I love this mix of flavors! I had never tried to combine these flavors and I have been missing out! So good!
Denay DeGuzman
0My husband made this delicious pesto salmon recipe for the family. He’s all about the pesto! We all loved this easy tasty recipe. We all agreed, we must make this again!
Liz
0My husband loves salmon and I’ve been looking for easy recipes to make! This is perfect!
Jenn
0How have I never combined pesto with salmon before?! Hello game changer!
Nellie Tracy
0Basil pesto and salmon is such a great combination. Love this recipe!
Sharon
0This recipe was quick, easy, and delicious. It also looks beautiful. Our local Costco had the wild sockeye salmon on sale and I was looking for a different way to prepare it. I highly recommend you try this simple delicious salmon. I served with steamed broccoli and found the combo filling.
Carole
0This was absolutely fabulous. I served it with the Low Carb Maven’s Loaded Cauliflower (Low Carb, Keto) and it made for a scrumptious meal. Thank you for your excellent recipe.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Carole! I have a loaded cauliflower recipe here as well.
KeeleyMcGuire
0What a delicious looking idea! We love salmon.
Brianna Hobbs
0This is the kind of entree my hubby LOVES! Huge salmon fans around here. 🙂
Georgina
0I love the combination of salmon and basil – fantastic!
sugarfreelondoner
0We’re having salmon around once a week in this house – mostly Asian style, with ginger or tamari. Thanks for getting me out of my rut – we’re going Italian next week!
Kim | Low Carb Maven
0I love this dish – quick, easy and full of flavor! I have’t seen the Salmon Milano in Costco – ours only takes Visa now, so we haven’t been in several months! The horror! I’ll try this one for sure!
JON Patterson
0it was just like Costco’s wasn’t it! 😉
Taryn
0My husband has been having a craving for salmon this last week. Maybe I’ll surprise him with this for dinner!
STACEY
0This looks absolutely wonderful! I love pesto 🙂