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    September 5, 2023 Dinners

    Pesto Crusted Salmon - an easy weeknight dinner

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    If you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, this pesto crusted salmon is so delicious and done in under 30 minutes. It's one of my favorite flavorful healthy recipes, and you'll love it, too. 

    This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission when you click on the links and make a purchase. I will never recommend a product that I don’t support 100%.

    You’ll love this pesto-crusted salmon

    It's an easy salmon recipe. This recipe is so full of flavor and it is so easy to make! YOu can make your own homemade pesto, or buy your favorite brand from your local grocery store. 

    It's great for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a low carb dinner recipe for busy weeknights, or you want to find a delicious way to make salmon for special occasions like date night, this is it! 

    It's customizable. There are so many side dish options you can have with this baked pesto salmon recipe, I've included some ideas below!

    pesto crusted salmon

    Health benefits of salmon

    There are so many health benefits of salmon and it's so easy to prepare! That's why I love making salmon for a healthy meal. 

    • Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
    • Great source of B vitamins, vitamin D, potassium, phosphorus, and Vitamin A
    • High in protein

    If you're looking for an easy way to sneak in a healthy weeknight dinner that still has so much flavor, pesto crusted salmon is a great way to do so. 

    Ingredients

    Pesto. I opted for store-bought pesto from Trader Joe's, but you can easily make homemade pesto, especially if you have a ton of basil in your home garden.

    Panko Breadcrumbs. You'll mix this with the pesto to create that crispy panko topping that goes on top of your salmon filet. 

    Salmon Filet. I love getting my salmon from ALDI. I either get Coho Salmon or Atlantic Salmon.  

    pesto crusted salmon

    How to make pesto crusted salmon

    1. Preheat your oven to 350F.
    2. In a small bowl, combine pesto and panko bread crumbs until you have a wet sand texture. 
    3. Set aside your pesto mixture and pat your salmon filets dry. 
    4. Place your salmon on a baking sheet and spread the pesto bread crumb mixture on top of the salmon.
    5. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes, depending on how you prefer your salmon cooked and the thickness of the salmon.

    How to make homemade pesto

    Homemade basil pesto is such an easy recipe, and it gives you a great excuse to use all that basil that grows at the end of summer!

    1. In a food processor, blend together your 2 c. basil, ½ c. olive oil, ½. c parmesan cheese, ⅓ c. pistachios (I like to use these instead of pine nuts), 2-3 garlic cloves, and 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. 
    2. Blend until smooth.

    What goes well with salmon?

    There are so many different dishes that go well with salmon to make a complete dinner. Here are some of my favorite ideas.

    Veggies:​ I paired these crusted salmon fillets with mini potatoes and cherry tomatoes. You can pair it with all your favorite veggies like asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms and more.

    Pasta:​ Pair this pasta with a simple garlic, butter and olive oil spaghetti or pair it with a cold pasta salad like this sun-dried tomato one. 

    Mashed Potatoes:​ I love making garlic whipped mashed potatoes and they are the perfect pairing to this pesto crusted salmon recipe. 

    pesto crusted salmon

    Substitutions and Variations

    Basil:​ If you don't have enough basil or any basil at all there are a bunch of different substitutes you can use. I also enjoy making arugula pesto, too. 

    Pine Nuts:​ Pine nuts can be expensive and hard to find! Luckily, you don't need them to make homemade pesto, there are a handful of pine nuts substitutes. 

    Storage

    You'll want to store any leftover salmon in an airtight container. 

    Reheating leftover salmon

    You'll want to microwave any leftover salmon for 45 seconds - 1 minute

    FAQ

    Can you eat salmon skin?

    Yes, you can! 

    How often should you eat salmon?

    2-3 times a week is what is recommended by the FDA. This pesto crusted salmon is a perfect recipe to make on repeat.

    What herbs go with salmon?

    Lots of herbs! Basil, rosemary, sage, dill, tarragon, thyme, cilantro and fennel. 

    Amazon home finds

    You'll want to be sure you have a baking sheet set and a food processor if you're making homemade pesto. 

    Pin it for later!

    pesto crusted salmon

    Want more salmon recipes?

    • Teriyaki Glazed Salmon
    • Air Fryer Pistachio Crusted Salmon
    • Honey Chipotle Salmon
    • Salmon Rice Bowl
    pesto crusted salmon

    Pesto Crusted Salmon - an easy weeknight dinner

    If you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, this pesto crusted salmon is so delicious and done in under 30 minutes. It's one of my favorite flavorful healthy recipes, and you'll love it, too. 
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course dinner recipes, healthy dinner, weeknight dinner
    Servings 4 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ c. basil pesto
    • ⅓ c. panko breadcrumbs
    • 1 lb salmon filet

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 350F.
    • In a small bowl, combine pesto and panko bread crumbs until you have a wet sand texture.
    • Set aside your pesto mixture and pat your salmon filets dry.
    • Place your salmon on a baking sheet and spread the pesto bread crumb mixture on top of the salmon.
    • Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes, depending on how you prefer your salmon cooked and the thickness of the salmon.
    Keyword baked pesto salmon, pesto crusted salmon, pesto salmon, salmon dinner recipe

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