Description
This Savory Baked Salmon with Creamy Cheese Crust is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a nutritious meal. Featuring tender salmon fillets topped with a rich mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese crust, this recipe bakes to perfection in just 13 minutes, delivering a crispy, cheesy topping paired with moist, flaky fish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs Salmon Fillets (skin-on) (Fresh fillets for moisture)
- 2 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp Black Pepper (Substitute with cayenne for spice)
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise (Substitute with Greek yogurt if desired)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated) (Shredded mozzarella can be used)
- 1/2 tsp Lemon Zest (Mashed capers can be an alternative)
- Fresh Parsley (For garnish)
- Non-Stick Cooking Spray (Parchment paper is a great alternative)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Generously grease a baking pan with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the salmon does not stick during baking.
- Prepare Salmon: Pat the skin-on salmon fillets dry using paper towels. Then, season both sides of the salmon fillets evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Make Topping Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well incorporated to create a flavorful creamy topping.
- Arrange Salmon: Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the greased baking pan. Carefully spread the mayonnaise mixture evenly over the top of each fillet to cover thoroughly.
- Add Cheese Crust: Generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the mayonnaise topping on each salmon fillet. This will create a savory, crispy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 8 minutes or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), ensuring the fish is cooked through and the topping is golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the salmon from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce fat content while maintaining creaminess.
- If you prefer a spicier crust, replace black pepper with cayenne pepper.
- Shredded mozzarella can be used instead of Parmesan cheese, but Parmesan provides the best flavor and crispiness.
- Using parchment paper instead of cooking spray is a great alternative for easier cleanup and less sticking.
- Ensure to not overcook the salmon to retain moisture and a tender texture.
