Pan-Roasted Salmon with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomato Basil Sauce
Pan-roasted salmon fillets served atop fresh zucchini noodles with a bright cherry tomato and basil sauce, ideal for a clean Whole30 seafood dinner. This American-inspired seafood recipe (whole30, gluten free), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, zucchini, cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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
- 4 medium, spiralized into noodles zucchini
- 2 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 3, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1/3 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 4 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp, divided sea salt
- 1 tsp, divided black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 salmon fillets evenly with 3/4 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place salmon skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes until skin is crisp. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily. Remove and keep warm.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and then 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and 1/2 tsp sea salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and release juices.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Remove sauce from heat.
- Step 4: In a separate pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 spiralized medium zucchinis and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until noodles are just tender but still firm.
- Step 5: Divide zucchini noodles among plates, top with salmon fillets, and spoon the cherry tomato basil sauce generously over each. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Roasted Salmon with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomato Basil Sauce 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 Pan-Roasted Salmon with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomato Basil Sauce?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Roasted Salmon with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomato Basil Sauce?
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 Pan-Roasted Salmon with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomato Basil Sauce 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.
Is Pan-Roasted Salmon with Zucchini Noodles and Cherry Tomato Basil Sauce whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, gluten free, paleo, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
