Pan-Seared Salmon with Basil Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-08 · Updated 2026-07-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Pan-seared salmon fillets topped with vibrant basil pesto and roasted cherry tomatoes for a fresh Italian-inspired meal. This Italian seafood recipe (gluten free), ready in about 27 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, olive oil, and salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 skin-on salmon fillets, 6 oz each
3 tbsp divided olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 cups packed basil leaves
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 pint halved cherry tomatoes

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Instructions

Step 1: To make basil pesto, combine 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/4 cup olive oil in a food processor. Blend until smooth and set aside.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season 4 salmon fillets with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until skin is crisp.
Step 3: Flip the salmon carefully and add 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes around the fillets. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until salmon is cooked through and tomatoes soften.
Step 4: Remove skillet from heat. Spoon 2 tbsp basil pesto over each salmon fillet and scatter the roasted cherry tomatoes on the side.
Step 5: Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges if desired.