Description
Tender salmon fillets glazed in herby pesto and topped with golden Parmesan, roasted alongside asparagus and cherry tomatoes. Ready in just 25 minutes!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (5-6 oz each)
- 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1/3 cup pesto
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus sliced lemon for tray
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with foil.
- Make pesto glaze: Whisk pesto, lemon juice, and olive oil in a small bowl.
- Prep veggies: Spread asparagus and cherry tomatoes evenly on the sheet pan. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of pesto and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add sliced lemons to pan (optional).
- Add salmon: Nestle salmon fillets among the veggies. Brush each fillet generously with the pesto glaze.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly over the top of each pesto-coated salmon fillet.
- Bake: Roast for about 10 minutes, until salmon is nearly cooked and veggies are tender.
- Broil: Switch oven to broil for 2–3 minutes, watching carefully, until Parmesan is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with baked lemon slices and fresh basil.
Notes
- Pesto quality matters: Taste your pesto before using. Cheaper brands often have more acidic profiles so adjust lemon juice. Homemade pesto typically has a nuttier, more basil-forward flavor and thicker consistency.
- For larger fillets: If using one large, center-cut fillet instead of individual portions (1 1/2-2 lbs), place in center of pan surrounded by vegetables. Increase baking time to 18-22 minutes before broiling.
- Pan size: If your sheet pan feels crowded, use a larger pan or roast vegetables separately to ensure proper caramelization.
- Doneness check: Remove salmon when it reaches 135°F internal temperature. It will continue cooking to 140°F while resting for perfectly tender, flaky fish.
- Storage: Leftovers keep in fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat gently in 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Easy Recipes
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American