Description

Easy Baked Salmon with Pesto Cream Sauce is a delightful weeknight meal that transforms fresh salmon into a culinary masterpiece. This dish features flaky salmon fillets topped with a creamy pesto sauce, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s not just quick to prepare; it’s also visually stunning and sure to impress family and guests alike. Enjoy the harmonious blend of rich pesto and tender salmon that turns any dinner into a special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

4 (6 oz) fresh salmon fillets
1/2 cup pesto sauce
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the baking dish; season generously with salt and pepper.
In a bowl, combine pesto, heavy cream, minced garlic, and lemon juice until well mixed.
Spoon the pesto cream sauce over each salmon fillet.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 430
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 610mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 5g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: For added flavor, consider using homemade pesto instead of store-bought. Feel free to substitute salmon with chicken or tofu for different variations. Adding lemon zest or crushed red pepper can enhance flavor profiles beautifully.