Baked Salmon with Pesto Cream Sauce
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
425 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Baked Salmon with Pesto Cream Sauce
Description
Baked Salmon with Pesto Cream Sauce showcases salmon fillets dressed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then browned briefly in butter for a flavorful crust. The sauce combines chicken broth, creamy heavy cream, basil pesto, butter, and seasoning reduced in the same pan to retain flavor. Baking the salmon in this sauce allows the cream to thicken and infuse the fish with herbal, buttery notes. The resulting dish offers a tender salmon texture with a smooth, vibrant pesto cream coating.
This salmon dish is suitable for a main course and pairs well with simple sides like steamed vegetables or rice, letting the rich sauce stand out. It suits dinners where a flavorful, single-ingredient protein with a creamy sauce is desired.
For variation, adding grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce can enhance flavor complexity. Using homemade pesto instead of store-bought can deepen the herbal freshness. The salmon should be cooked until just done to avoid drying out, keeping the fillets juicy and tender.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup basil pesto
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Rub salmon all over with olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper, then season with Italian seasoning.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown salmon on each side for 1-2 minutes. Transfer to plate and cover to keep warm.
- Add broth to pan. Stir in pesto and cream. Add salt and pepper to taste (I'm quite generous with the salt and pepper here!).
- Return salmon to the skillet. Spoon some of the sauce over the salmon.
- Transfer skillet to the oven and cook for 12-15 minutes until salmon is cooked through and sauce is thickened (enough to coat the back of a spoon).
- Spoon sauce over salmon and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- Incorporate 1-2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce to intensify the flavor.
- Consider making homemade basil pesto for fresher and more vibrant taste compared to jarred versions.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 425 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 425kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 136mg | 45% |
| Sodium | 343mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 884mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 825IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 71mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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