Salmon With Pesto and Garlic Tomatoes: A Weeknight Win!

Juggling work, family, and a social life can leave weeknight dinners feeling like a chore. Enter this one-pan salmon with pesto and garlic tomatoes – a lifesaver for busy home cooks! This recipe is the perfect combination of easy prep, incredible flavor, and healthy ingredients, making it a win-win for everyone at the table.

Fresh pesto, bursting with vibrant flavors, gets the star treatment spooned over perfectly cooked salmon. The salmon is nestled amongst a bed of sweet, roasted cherry tomatoes and pops of garlicky goodness. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy dish that’s sure to impress your family and friends, all without breaking a sweat (or spending hours in the kitchen).

Why We Love This Recipe

• One-Pan Wonder: This simple salmon recipe is all about minimizing cleanup. Everything cooks together on a single baking sheet, making it a breeze to prepare and clean up after.
• Flavor Explosion: The combination of juicy salmon, flavorful pesto, and roasted tomatoes creates a symphony of textures and taste in every bite.
• Healthy & Nutritious: Salmon is packed with healthy fats and protein, while the pesto adds vitamins and antioxidants. The tomatoes round out the dish with additional vitamins and a touch of sweetness.
• Customizable: Feel free to get creative! Add a squeeze of lemon for brightness, a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick, or swap the pesto for a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Tips & Tricks About Pesto

• Traditional recipes often call for baking salmon slathered in pesto. But did you know pesto is meant to be enjoyed fresh? High heat can make the pesto brown and lose its vibrant, garlicky flavor. Try this instead: Bake your salmon plain, then add a dollop of pesto after it comes out of the oven. This way, you get all the deliciousness of pesto without sacrificing its freshness. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!
• Pesto Power: This recipe is even more convenient if you have a batch of pesto prepped and frozen! Make a double batch of pesto and freeze half for another night. Here’s a quick tip: freeze pesto in ice cube trays for easy portioning, or store it in an airtight container with a layer of olive oil on top to preserve the vibrant green color. This way, you’ll always have delicious pesto on hand for this recipe or any other pesto-inspired creation!

Ingredients

You only need 5 ingredients for this quick and easy sheet-pan dinner (plus salt and pepper to taste):

• Salmon, a powerhouse of healthy fats and protein to keep you feeling satisfied.
• Cherry tomatoes, bursting with antioxidants and a touch of sweetness.
• Sliced garlic for a flavorful and immune-boosting kick.
• Extra virgin olive oil for a dose of healthy fats and richness
• Your choice of homemade pesto, packed with vitamins from fresh herbs and nuts, or store-bought pesto for a convenient option.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Let’s Get Cooking!

Ready to try this healthy one-pan meal? The recipe with all the details is included below. So preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and nutritious weeknight meal!

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. Prep the Veggies: Spread the tomatoes and sliced garlic on a baking sheet. Drizzle with one tablespoon of olive oil, toss to coat evenly, then spread them out in a single layer. Season with a pinch of salt.
3. Roast the Tomatoes & Garlic: Roast for 10 minutes, or until the tomatoes begin to soften and burst slightly.
4. Prep the salmon: Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
5. Welcome the Salmon: Carefully push the roasted tomatoes and garlic to one side of the baking sheet. Drizzle another tablespoon of olive oil on the empty side of the pan and arrange the salmon fillets over it.
6. Back in the Oven: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
7. Pesto Perfection: Once the salmon is cooked, remove the pan from the oven. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of pesto over each salmon fillet.

Serve immediately with your favorite sides and enjoy the symphony of flavors!

Variations

• Rainbow on a Plate: Love a pop of color? Swap out the regular cherry tomatoes for a pound of multi-colored cherry tomatoes. The different colors not only add visual appeal but may also offer a variety of antioxidants depending on the specific colors included.
• Want to add a touch of citrusy brightness? Drizzle the salmon with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before adding the pesto.
• Love a bit of spice? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the roasted tomatoes for a kick.
• Don’t have pesto? No problem! This recipe works just as well with a simple drizzle of balsamic glaze or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

How to Serve

This salmon with pesto and garlic tomatoes is a flavorful and versatile dish, so you have many options for sides!

• We’ve loaded this dish with cherry tomatoes for a burst of antioxidants and vitamins. But don’t stop there! Feel free to add a steamer basket of your favorite green vegetable – think broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, or green beans – for an extra dose of nutrients and vibrant color.
• To make this a complete and balanced meal, complement your salmon with a bed of fluffy whole grains like brown rice or quinoa. These complex carbs will keep you feeling satisfied longer. Alternatively, a slice of crusty whole-grain bread is perfect for soaking up all the delicious juices from the salmon and pesto.
• Of course, roasted potatoes and a simple green salad are always fantastic choices to round out this dish. They offer a delicious and familiar pairing that never disappoints.

Storing Leftovers

This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Here’s how to store them safely:

• Let it cool completely: Once cooked, allow the salmon and tomatoes to cool completely on the baking sheet. Don’t store them while still warm, as this can promote bacterial growth.
• Store in an airtight container: Once cool, place in a shallow airtight container. This will help prevent them from drying out or absorbing any unwanted flavors from your fridge.
• Reheat gently: When reheating, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the leftovers on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil. Reheat for 10-15 minutes, or until the salmon is warmed through.
• Tip: Only add pesto to the pieces of salmon you will be eating. Leftover pesto can be stored separately in an airtight container with a layer of olive oil on top for up to a week in the refrigerator.

This salmon with pesto and garlic tomatoes recipe is all about simplicity and flexibility. So get creative, have fun, and enjoy this delicious and healthy one-pan wonder!

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