Easy Crispy Pesto-Crusted Salmon Recipe
This baked salmon dish combines rich basil pesto with a crunchy parmesan topping for a flavorful, oven-ready meal. It comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy evenings while still feeling elegant enough to serve to guests.
Print
Pin
Servings: 4
Notes
Ingredients
- 24 ounces salmon fillets (4 six-ounce fillets), skin-on or skinless
- 6–7 tablespoons pesto
- ⅓ cup fresh breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (use a microplane grater if available)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat it lightly with vegetable spray.
- Arrange the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece. Spoon about 1½ tablespoons of pesto onto each fillet, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- In a small bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the pesto-coated salmon.
- Bake for about 12 minutes for medium doneness, or up to 15 minutes if you prefer the salmon fully cooked.
- Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your salmon. Fillets thicker than one inch may need a bit more time, while thinner pieces will cook faster.
- Keep in mind that salmon continues to cook after it’s removed from the oven. To avoid drying it out, consider pulling it at 12–13 minutes for a juicier result.