Baked Salmon with Pesto Cream Sauce Recipe
This Baked Salmon with Pesto Cream Sauce recipe features tender salmon fillets pan-seared to perfection, then baked in a luscious pesto cream sauce. Rich and flavorful, this dish combines fresh basil pesto, creamy heavy cream, and savory chicken broth to create an irresistible sauce that enhances the natural taste of the salmon. Quick to prepare and elegant enough for any occasion, it’s perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner or a special gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Salmon and Seasonings
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pesto Cream Sauce
- ¼ cup basil pesto
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the salmon.
- Season Salmon: Rub each salmon fillet all over with 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Generously season the fillets with salt and pepper, then sprinkle ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence evenly over them.
- Sear Salmon: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down (if they have skin) and brown each side for 1 to 2 minutes until they have a golden crust. After browning, transfer the salmon to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, add ½ cup of chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan and lift any flavorful bits. Stir in ¼ cup of basil pesto and ½ cup of heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper generously to taste, creating a rich and creamy sauce.
- Combine and Bake: Return the seared salmon fillets to the skillet, spooning some sauce over each piece to coat them. Carefully transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the salmon is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Serve: Once done, spoon additional sauce over the salmon before serving immediately. Enjoy this creamy, flavorful baked salmon hot!
Notes
- Use fresh or thawed salmon fillets for best results.
- Feel free to substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a different flavor.
- Italian seasoning can be replaced with Herbs de Provence depending on preference.
- Don’t overcook the salmon to maintain its tender, flaky texture.
- If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the salmon and sauce to a baking dish before baking.
