Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes
Salmon fillets baked under a flavorful crust of Italian herbs and Parmesan, served alongside roasted cherry tomatoes. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, finely grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 1/2 cup, finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh oregano
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pint (about 2 cups) cherry tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange 4 salmon fillets skin-side down.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp lemon zest.
- Step 3: Drizzle 3 tbsp olive oil over the mixture and stir until crumbly and evenly coated.
- Step 4: Press the herb-Parmesan crust mixture firmly onto the top of each salmon fillet.
- Step 5: Scatter 1 pint cherry tomatoes around the salmon on the baking sheet and sprinkle everything with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Bake for 12-15 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork and the crust is golden.
- Step 7: Serve immediately with roasted cherry tomatoes alongside.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes?
Italian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.