Make Parmesan-Crusted Salmon 10X More Flavorful With One Simple Ingredient

There are so many ways to reinvent a piece of salmon, but layering it with a crispy parmesan crust has to be one of the best. Pecans and breadcrumbs are great, but parmesan just adds a new layer of depth and complexity that can make even the simplest weeknight dinner feel much more luxurious. Aside from that, though, there is a way to amp up the flavor even further, and that's by adding pesto.

One of Tasting Table's recipe developers created this delicious pesto-crusted baked salmon recipe to highlight the power of the ingredients. Salmon is naturally rich in healthy fats, which creates a rich flavor and buttery texture. The zesty punch from the pesto can help cut through this, giving the fish a brighter, more balanced finish. The herbs also provide a lovely fresh taste that pairs well with the salmon, while the garlic and pignoli play into the Parmesan cheese, providing even more umami.

Our developer likes to mix the pesto with mayonnaise for a more spreadable texture, and she adds extra pignoli for even more flavor. The mayo will also help the crust stick to the fish, and the extra nuts should provide a crunchier texture. As for the rest of the ingredients, you just need parmesan, breadcrumbs, and, of course, a nice piece of salmon.

Thicker center cuts of salmon tend to cook more evenly, but pretty much any type of salmon bakes well. Try to find fillets that are firm with a vibrant color. Wild-caught salmon tends to have a meatier flavor, while farmed salmon is fattier and milder. It doesn't matter if the skin is on or not — just make sure to position the skin facing down on the tray — and frozen is fine. 

You only need enough of the pesto-mayo mixture to cover the top of the fish. If you don't like mayo, the pesto will be fine on its own. After you've sprinkled on the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and seasonings, just bake until golden. The whole thing should come together in 20 minutes or so. If you want an extra punch, drizzle more pesto over the finished plate. 

You can serve the recipe with roasted root vegetables, fluffy grains, or an everyday lemon salad. A light pasta would pair well, too, as would steamed and buttered potatoes. You could also try using a sun-dried tomato pesto, or try switching up the nuts. Walnuts and pistachios would both work, and pecans are always a trusted salmon pairing. If you want to make your pesto-crusted baked salmon from scratch, here's a simple, bright, and fresh pesto recipe to try.