Lemon-Garlic Baked Salmon with Zucchini Noodles
Flaky salmon fillets baked with lemon and garlic, served over zucchini noodles for a light, nutrient-packed Whole30 meal. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each, skin-on) salmon fillets, (zest and 1/4 cup juice) lemon, (minced) garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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 (6 oz each, skin-on) salmon fillets
- 1 (zest and 1/4 cup juice) lemon
- 3 cloves (minced) garlic
- 2 tsp (chopped) fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 medium (spiralized into noodles) zucchini
- 1 cup (halved) cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place salmon fillets on parchment-lined baking sheet, skin-side down. Rub each fillet with 1 tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle with 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tsp chopped dill.
- Step 2: Squeeze 1/4 cup lemon juice over salmon, dot with remaining 2 minced garlic cloves, and bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add spiralized zucchini noodles and sauté for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook 2 more minutes until softened.
- Step 4: Serve salmon with zucchini noodle mixture, garnished with extra dill and lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Baked Salmon with Zucchini Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Lemon-Garlic Baked Salmon with Zucchini Noodles?
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 (minced) garlic from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Baked Salmon with Zucchini Noodles?
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 Lemon-Garlic Baked Salmon with Zucchini Noodles 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 Lemon-Garlic Baked Salmon with Zucchini Noodles?
American 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
