Pesto Crusted Salmon

I think I’m a bit obsessed with pesto!  This pesto crusted salmon recipe is another great way to use this super versatile spread.

 Pesto crusted salmon is my FAVORITE way to eat this tasty (and good-for-you) fish!  So easy, and so elegant, it’s perfect for a weeknight, or for fancy dinner guests.  Even my dear husband loves this dish, and he HATES salmon.  Despises it, in fact.  So if that’s not a indication that this is a winning dish, well, I don’t know what is.

You can also use this recipe for your favorite protein, this would be great on steelhead trout. shrimp or even thinly sliced chicken breasts.  I always have some frozen pesto in the fridge, it’s great for so many things. Stir a spoonful into mashed potatoes for a zesty twist.  Toss some hot pasta with pesto for a delicious herb-y dish. The possibilities are endless!

1 pound of boneless & skinless salmon fillets
2 heaping tablespoons Macadamia Nut Pesto (or store-bought)
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
salt and pepper
Cooking spray or olive oil mister

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut the salmon into your desired portion sizes.  I cut my salmon into roughly 5 ounce pieces.

Stir the panko and pesto together, to form a crumbly topping.  It should be the consistency of wet sand.  Season the mixture with salt and pepper.

Lightly season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides, then coat each piece of salmon with the pesto crumb topping.  Divide the mixture evenly, and use all of it.

Spray the coated salmon pieces with cooking spray or olive oil and pop them into your preheated oven.

Bake the salmon at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish.  You want the crumb topping to get nice and golden brown, and the fish to cook through.

5 from 3 votes

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Pesto Crusted Salmon

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound of boneless & skinless salmon fillets cut into 4 oz. portions
• 2 heaping tablespoons pesto
• 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• salt and pepper
• Cooking spray or olive oil mister

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Stir the panko and pesto together, to form a crumbly topping. It should be the consistency of wet sand. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
3. Lightly season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides, then coat each piece of salmon with the pesto crumb topping. Divide the mixture evenly, and use all of it.

4. Spray the coated salmon pieces with cooking spray or olive oil. Bake the salmon at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish, until the topping is golden brown and the salmon is cooked through.