Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon (5-Ingredient Recipe)

A simple and delicious seafood dish that’s ready in under 20 minutes! Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon is covered in a buttery crips coating of golden bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, herbs, and spices. Serve it for a weeknight dinner or for easy entertaining.

When it comes to seafood, salmon is always a go to dish. It’s a rich, tasty and just so easy to make. You can whip it up any day of the week. And when it’s baked in the oven, it’s an easy and delicious dish that you can serve for any occasion.

Whether it’s a weekday quickie dinner or a special weekend meal with family and friend, salmon is always a good choice.

Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon is easy to prepare and it’s sure to impress. It all starts with the parmesan cheese and Italian bread crumbs. You don’t even have to be a lover of cheese to love this dish. It subtly enhances the flavor of the salmon and gives it a light buttery flavor. Then you add a little dill and garlic and after 10 minutes in the oven, you have a meal that’s truly delicious.

And if you have any leftovers, you can enjoy them hot or cold the next day. I sometimes even enjoy it more the next day. It feels like a perfect, delicious treat.

If you love fish, be sure to try some of my other delicious salmon dinners – Honey Mustard Salmon, Smoky Dill Salmon, Sweet BBQ Rubbed Salmon, Lemon Herb Crusted Salmon, or Healthy Blackened Salmon for more delicious and healthy recipes.

Is salmon healthy?

In one word – YES! Salmon is one of the most nutritious foods there is. This healthy, fatty fish is a great source of protein and an almost perfect source of omega-3s. Plus it is loaded with nutrients like vitamin B, calcium, potassium, and antioxidants. It’s lower in calories and saturated fats than most red meat options, and it has zero carbs, fiber, or sugar.

Eating salmon can help lower your cholesterol and it makes a great Meatless Monday option. As you may have been able to tell from my many salmon recipes, we eat it a lot! And it’s wonderfully delicious, satisfying, and versatile.

How to buy salmon

Salmon is pretty much everywhere these days. From the supermarket to the fishmonger, shopping for salmon is really easy. There are just a few simple tips to follow:

• Smell: If you can smell the fish, make sure that it doesn’t smell fishy. Fresh salmon should never have a fishy smell.
• Appearance: Look for a fish that appears moist – this is great indicator of freshness. If it looks dried out or has any brown spots or bruising, don’t buy it.
• Color: Look for a salmon that is bright colored and not pale looking. (There are many different types of salmons and some are naturally brighter than others).
• Packaging: If you are buying pre-packaged salmon, make sure that they it tightly sealed and that it’s isn’t open anywhere. Also, read the label and stay away from anything that says “color-added” or has too many listed ingredients.

What are the Different Types of Salmon?

When you go to the supermarket, it may look like there is only one or maybe two types of salmon. But there are actually seven species of Pacific salmon. But, you’ll really only comes across five different kinds.

Salmon comes in all different sizes. Some can be small, weighing around five pounds. Or they are can grow to an enormous size and weight upwards of 125 pounds. They can live in freshwater, saltwater, or in both depending on the time of year.

The five main varieties of salmon are:

• Sockeye salmon – a deep red colored fish that’s widely popular and quite tasty. It also happens to be lower in fat than other varieties.
• King salmon – the most expensive variety of salmon. It’s seriously the King of salmons – rich, creamy, and a delicious buttery flavor. You’ll find this variety in high-end fish markets or fancy restaurants.
• Coho salmon – a popular variety of salmon with a more subtle and milder flavor. It is widely available and freezes well.
• Pink salmon – a very small and mild flavored fish. This variety of salmon is often used in canned salmon.
• Chum salmon – popular for its fish eggs or roe. You’ll often see these fish eggs used in sushi rolls.

CAN YOU FREEZE Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon?

Absolutely! You can make Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon as a freezer meal. Simply prepare your salmon, and wrap each piece in plastic wrap before adding it to a freezer bag. Then you can freeze it for up to three months.

When you are ready to cook your Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon, simply defrost it in the refrigerator the night before and bake. And carefully remove the plastic wrap before baking it in the oven. Once it’s done, it will be just as delicious as if you cooked it right after preparing it!

Freezer cooking is perfect for those busy days when time and energy are in short supply. Even if making dinner feels next to impossible, freezer cooking lets you serve up a satisfying homemade meal.

If you’re new to freezer cooking, it’s much simpler than it seems. And if you wish there was a simple, easy to follow guide, check out Meals in Minutes. You can make three months’ worth of easy, delicious, and family-friendly dinners. Complete with meal plans, shopping lists, freezer labels, and more, you can enjoy, stress-free homemade dinners.

Ingredients for Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon

Creating a tasty dish is all about choosing the right ingredients. Let’s break down what you need for Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon:

• Salmon Fillets: The star of the show, these salmon fillets are the canvas for the crispy and flavorful crust.
• Italian Bread Crumbs: The crunchy coating that makes the salmon extra delicious.
• Parmesan Cheese: This adds a rich and savory flavor to the crust. It’s like the secret ingredient for making it oh so delicious.
• Grapeseed Oil: This neutral-flavored oil helps the crust get that perfect golden color.
• Dill Weed: Adding a fresh and herby touch, dill complements the richness of the Parmesan crust and salmon.
• Garlic Powder: This adds a bit of depth and makes the salmon taste really satisfying.

When it comes to making a five-ingredient recipe, remember that everyday staples like oil don’t count in the ingredient list. Chances are, you already have it in your kitchen, making it an easy addition to the recipe. Plus, when it comes to Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon, it is simply used to help it cook and form a lightly crispy crust on the fish.

How to Make Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon

STEP 1: PREHEAT OVEN TO 425°F (230°C).

If you don’t usually bake your salmon at 425°F, you are going to love it. When fish cooks at a higher temperature, it keeps it tender and juicy, without drying it out. Plus, at a higher temperature, dinner gets to the table even faster. That’s a definite win-win!

Step 2: Combine Parmesan Mixture.

In a small bowl, combine Italian bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, dill, garlic powder, and oil to make the parmesan mixture.

The amazing thing with this mixture, is that it just takes a few ingredients, but each one is so perfect for salmon. The Italian bread crumbs pack a real flavor punch. These bread crumbs are like your little secret weapon in this delicious recipe. It already has a cheesy flavor and delicious combination of herbs and spices. So, all of the other ingredients just add to it.

The parmesan cheese adds a depth of flavor and enhances the already cheesy taste of the Italian bread crumbs. You’ll want to use the shredded parmesan cheese that’s found in the refrigerator section of the grocery store and not the powdered variety. The shredded parmesan cheese will add the perfect amount of rich flavor for this recipe.

Next, comes the herbs and spices. The dill is a perfectly compliments the salmon, adding a delicate punch to the dish. Then, there’s garlic. A little bit of garlic always goes a long way to make the salmon taste better.

Finally, there’s the oil. The oil helps to add hold the mixture together when it coats the fillet and it helps the bread crumbs toast while the salmon bakes.

When it comes to choosing oil for this recipe, look for one with a high smoke point. The smoke point is the temperature that the oil starts smoking. Some studies have shown that exposure to oil smoke fumes can cause an increased risk of cancer. For this reason, I use grapeseed oil. According to the Canola Council of Canada, the smoke point of grapeseed oil is 435°F (224°C).

Step 3: Cover the Salmon with a crust.

Before popping your dish the oven, place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Cover each salmon fillet with the parmesan mixture. Spoon the parmesan mixture evenly over salmon and gently press it onto the salmon to create an even crust.

The crust adds flavor and it also helps to coats the fillet while it bakes, keeping it extra moist and rich tasting while it cooks.

STEP 4: BAKE.

Now comes the easy part. Bake salmon for 10 to 12 minutes or until it’s fully cooked and flakes easily with a fork.

And that’s it! Dinner is done and your Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon is ready to eat and enjoy. Whether you enjoy it with roasted vegetables, potatoes, salad, or rice, this dish is sure to impress.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN SALMON IS fully cooked?

When it comes to cooking Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon, there are a lot of different ways to know when it’s ready. First, you’ll know that your seafood dish is ready when it flakes easily with a fork. It will also appears opaque pinkish white color on the outside and translucent pink on the inside.

You can also check that it’s finished cooking without cutting into the fish. Simply use a fork or your finger to gently press down on the top of the fillet. If the salmon flakes and separates along the white lines within the fillet (strips of fish fat), it’s finished cooking. Overcooked salmon will be firm, dry, and tough when eaten.

The most precise way to check is using a meat thermometer. Simply poke the skinny metal rod into the thickest part of the fish. And your meat thermometer will show its inner temperature.

But, when it comes to cooking fish, there are a lot of different recommendations of what it means to be fully cooked. The Government of Canada recommends cooking fish until an internal temperature of 158°F (70°C). The USDA recommends cooking fish until an internal temperature of 145°F (62.8°C).

When it comes to taste, some people find that at the recommended temperature, the fish is over cooked or too well done. This happens because even after you remove the fish from the oven, it continues to cook and the internal temperature continues to rise, which can result in overcooked fish. You can avoid this by waiting five minutes after cooking to check the fish’s temperature.

If you’re craving a flavor packed fish dish, Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon always hits the spot. I hope that your family enjoys it just as much as we always do!

Simple Ways to Switch Up Your Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon

This Parmesan-crusted salmon is already a crowd-pleaser, but with a few simple tweaks, you can bring new flavors and fun twists to each meal.

Here are some easy ideas to add variety and keep things exciting:

• Switch Up the Seasoning – To give your salmon a unique twist, try swapping dill weed for fresh or dried basil, thyme, or rosemary. Each of these herbs adds a new taste to the fish, making it feel like a whole new recipe every time!
• Squeeze Some Citrus – For a bright, zesty touch, squeeze a bit of lemon or lime juice over the salmon before baking. The citrus adds a refreshing flavor that pairs perfectly with the Parmesan crust.
• Make It a Little Spicy – If you like a touch of heat, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mix. This gentle kick adds fun flavor without overpowering the dish.
• Add a Dash of Mustard – For a hint of tangy flavor, mix a small amount of Dijon or yellow mustard into the Parmesan and breadcrumb coating. The mustard brings a subtle zing without being too strong.
• Try a Nutty Crunch – For extra texture and a slight nutty taste, mix in some finely chopped almonds or walnuts with the bread crumbs and Parmesan. This variation gives the salmon a delicious crunch.

With these easy changes, you can keep this favorite recipe fresh and exciting every time you make it!

What can you serve with Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon?

Make your Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon even tastier with a delicious side. Of course, if you want to keep things simple, you can serve it with steamed white or brown rice.

Or, if you like noodles, you can make plain pasta or indulge in cheesy pasta like One Pot Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Tomato and Feta Pasta, or Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta. It will add an extra cheesy twist that complements the savory notes of the salmon.

For a nutritional boost, you can serve the salmon with roasted or stir-fried veggies. Whether it’s broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, snap peas, or carrots, these vegetables add a pop of color and a touch of wholesomeness.

Of course you can also serve it with a simple garden salad. Combine crisp greens with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, and your preferred dressing. A drizzle of Light and Creamy Balsamic or Greek Salad Dressing can be a perfect finishing touch.

There are so many delicious options. So, choose the side dish that’s best for you and your family. And enjoy every bite!

What can you do with leftover Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon?

So, you’ve enjoyed a delicious dinner of Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon, and now you find yourself with some leftovers. What can you do with them?

Well, the good news is, there are plenty of tasty options!

If you want to simply enjoy them again, you can always reheat the leftover salmon or even enjoy it cold the next day. There’s something about salmon that makes it so tasty hot or cold.

But, if you want to switch things up, you can turn your leftovers into a new dish. But before we get into that. Make sure that your leftovers are stored properly.

Once they’ve cooled down, put the leftover salmon in a sealed container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for three to four days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to four to six months. Just remember to thaw the salmon in the fridge before transforming it into a new dish.

Now, here are some tasty ways to turn your leftover Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon into delicious new meals:

• Salmon Caesar Salad: Flake the leftover salmon into bite-sized pieces and toss it with crisp romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, croutons, and Caesar dressing for a refreshing salad with a protein-packed twist.
• Parmesan Salmon Alfredo: Cook fettuccine until al dente, then toss it in a creamy Alfredo sauce. Add flaked salmon for a decadent twist, and top with Parmesan cheese.
• Mediterranean Salmon Gyro: Fill a warm pita with flaked leftover salmon, diced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and a dollop of tzatziki sauce. This fusion of flavors creates a delightful handheld meal that’s perfect for a quick and easy dinner.

There you have it – a handful of ways to transform leftover Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon into fresh and delicious meals. Don’t let any bite go to waste. There are so many tasty ways to enjoy your leftovers!

After you whip up some Easy Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon, add a comment below and give it a star rating! I love hearing how much your family enjoys it, too.

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