This baked pesto salmon with veggies is flavorful, quick, and so satisfying. It’s a healthy weeknight meal that only requires one pan to make (and barely any prep time!). I love using sliced zucchini, summer squash, and tomatoes for the vegetables, but you can swap them out for your favorite veggies if you want!
Recently, I had one of my college BFFs over for dinner. Looking for something easy but awesome for us to make, I whipped us up this delicious dish. It looks fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy.
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Sheet Pan Pesto Salmon with Veggies
I love salmon. It’s packed with nutrients and it’s simple to cook. It doesn’t require a lot of fuss – just a simple sauce is all you need.
With this recipe, I got creative with what I already had in the fridge. I had a jar of pesto that needed some love, some frozen salmon in the freezer (Matt hates salmon – perfect time to use it), and some zucchini and squash from the farmers market.
Perfect! My friend, Turner, also brought over some tomatoes that we added to the mix.
This recipe was SO easy and came out really delicious, too. Definitely one to try yourself! (And one I’ll be making again soon. I think even Matt might like salmon this way!)
(For another delicious pesto recipe, try this baked pesto chicken! You can make the pesto from scratch – recipe included – or use your favorite jarred pesto sauce.)
What You’ll Need
To make this pesto baked salmon recipe, you’ll need:
- salmon fillets (fresh or defrosted)
- zucchini
- squash
- large tomatoes
- pesto (either jarred or homemade. If you want to make your own, try my spinach basil pesto or the homemade pesto from this baked pesto chicken recipe!)
- olive oil
- cooked quinoa (or your favorite grain or side, like rice or pasta)
Feel free to swap out the zucchini or squash for other vegetables (thinly-sliced, so they cook through), depending on what you have on hand. But I definitely recommend the tomatoes – their flavor complements the pesto salmon really nicely!
How to Make Baked Pesto Salmon
This one pan dinner is super simple to make, and you don’t need much prep time! Let the oven do most of the work for you. 🙂
Start by lining a sheet pan, rimmed baking sheet, or large baking dish with foil or parchment paper. Drizzle a little olive oil on it, then layer the sliced zucchini, squash, and tomatoes on top.
Next, lay the salmon on top. Be sure to leave a little space between each filet for even cooking. (I recommend leaving the skin on, and placing the salmon skin-side down. This protects the bottom of the salmon from getting too much heat from the pan).
Season with a little salt and pepper, if desired. Then, dollop a large spoonful of pesto on top of each piece.
Use the spoon to spread the pesto evenly over the top of each salmon filet.
Cover the pan with foil (leaving a little space in between) and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 18 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to be sure it’s cooked through before taking it out. (The FDA recommends salmon be cooked to a minimum temperature of 145 degrees in the center.)
Lastly, place salmon and veggies over quinoa or rice if desired, then serve! So easy. I love the brightness of the veggies in this dish. And the pesto gives the salmon a boost of moisture and flavor!
Is this recipe gluten free?
Yes! All of the ingredients in this recipe should naturally be gluten-free. If you’re using jarred pesto, just be sure to check the ingredients to make sure they don’t contain any gluten.
Best Side Dishes to Serve with Pesto Salmon
You can serve practically any side dish with this roasted salmon, but here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Lemony Quinoa Salad with Spinach
- Baked Portobello Mushrooms with Feta
- Crispy Roasted Mini Potatoes
- Zesty Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
- Mediterranean Bulgur Salad with Lemon Mint Vinaigrette
What’s your favorite way to make salmon? Let me know in the comments!
The full baked pesto salmon recipe is at the bottom of this post. Enjoy!
Want more easy fish/seafood recipes that will win over even fish haters? Give these a shot:
- Almond Crusted Tilapia (gluten free)
- Black Pepper Crusted Yellowfin Tuna
- Lemon Dijon Sheet Pan Salmon Dinner
- Caribbean Shrimp Quinoa Salad (gluten free)
- Lemon and Herb Fish
- Mussels in Creamy Tomato Fennel Broth
- Roasted Salmon with Watermelon Salsa (gluten free)
- Seared Scallops with White Beans and Spinach
- Shrimp, Cucumber, and Feta Orzo Salad
- Tilapia en Papillote
Baked Pesto Salmon with Veggies
This baked pesto salmon with veggies is simple, delicious, and nutritious. It's a healthy and easy dinner recipe!
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets, fresh or defrosted
- 1 small (or half a large) zucchini, sliced
- 1 small (or half a large) squash, sliced
- 1 to 2 large tomatoes, sliced
- 2 Tbsp. pesto (jarred or homemade – try my Spinach Basil Pesto!)
- Olive oil
- 1 cup cooked quinoa (prepared according to package directions)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400. Cover a baking dish with tin foil; spread a little olive oil in the pan (or use cooking spray) so the food doesn’t stick.
- Layer sliced zucchini, squash, and tomato in the pan.
- Place salmon fillets in dish on top of veggies, put 1 Tbsp. pesto on top of each piece of salmon. Spread it around so it’s evenly covered.
- Cover the pan with tin foil; leave a little space for steam to escape. Put the dish in the oven at 400 for about 18 minutes; check to make sure it’s cooked through before taking it out.
- Serve on top of quinoa – about 1/2 cup quinoa per person. Enjoy!
