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This baked salmon with mayo and cheese delivers a moist, flaky fillet with a warm, creamy cheese crust on top. It’s so easy, you’ll be plating it in 13 minutes!
Hungry but don’t have the time or energy for a complicated dish? Try this 13-minute baked salmon with mayonnaise recipe using everyday ingredients!
Adding a layer of mayo to salmon fillets might raise some eyebrows, but it’s the secret to achieving perfectly moist, buttery, and flaky baked salmon every single time.
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Stuck in a dinner loop? Switch things up with spicy shrimp tacos or go meatless with vegan lobster rolls!
Why You’ll Love This Baked Salmon with Mayo and Cheese Recipe
- Thanks to mayonnaise and baking the fish skin-side down, you’ll get perfectly moist baked salmon every single time!
- This baked salmon with mayo and cheese is done in 13 minutes with just 8 simple ingredients.
- Rich, savory, juicy, and flaky, this cheesy baked salmon makes the perfect main dish alternative to pork, beef, and chicken.
Ingredients And Substitutions
Skin-on salmon fillets – The cooking time for this fuss-free baked salmon with mayonnaise recipe will depend on the thickness of your fillets. Unsure about your fish? Here’s how to tell if salmon is bad.
Mayonnaise – The secret ingredient for impressively succulent salmon!
Parmesan cheese – You can also add shredded mozzarella cheese to this delicious recipe’s creamy crust.
Salt and black pepper – These simple pantry seasonings are all you’ll need to round out the flavors of your baked salmon with mayo and cheese. You can also add smoked paprika, fresh dill, and dried oregano to the lemon mayonnaise mixture to give it a more complex flavor profile.
Lemon zest – The bright citrus flavor balances the richness of the mayonnaise. If you’re not a fan of the zest’s bitterness, this baked salmon recipe also works with mashed capers.
Fresh parsley – Adds a fresh, herby flavor to the flaky salmon. You can also serve the fillets with lemon slices or sprinkle them with toasted panko crumbs on top for some crunch!
Non-stick cooking spray – For greasing the baking pan.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Make Clean-Up Easier
Baking salmon fillets skin-side down helps keep them moist, but to prevent the skin from sticking, coat the baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper.
Season the Salmon
Season both sides of the fillets before adding the mayo to make your baked salmon even more flavorful! Salt and pepper are enough, but Cajun seasoning will also be tasty.
Storage Tips
Freezing isn’t a good idea since the topping might separate, but you can store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To serve, reheat it in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Baked Salmon with Mayonnaise Recipe FAQs
Is it better to bake salmon at 350°F or 400°F?
We went with 450°F for this baked salmon with mayonnaise recipe to save time and brown the crust without drying the fish. However, you can also bake the fillets at 400°F for 12 minutes or at 350°F for 20 minutes.
How long should salmon be cooked in the oven?
It depends on the baking temperature and the salmon’s thickness. For a typical 1-inch fillet baked at 450°F, the salmon should be ready in 8 to 10 minutes. Always allow 4 to 6 minutes of baking time for every half-inch of thickness.
When baking salmon, do you cover it or leave it uncovered?
We baked the salmon with mayonnaise uncovered to make it easier to monitor and avoid overcooking. Leaving it uncovered also browns the edges of the fillet, adding extra flavor.
How do you know when salmon is done baking?
Your baked salmon with mayo and parmesan is done once its internal temperature reaches 145°F. It should also be easy to pull apart with a fork.
How long do you cook salmon in the air fryer with mayonnaise?
You can air fry your fillet of salmon with lemon mayo at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
More Delicious Seafood Recipes
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Baked Salmon with Mayo and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs skin-on salmon fillets
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F and lightly grease the baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, stir together the salt, pepper, lemon zest, and mayonnaise.
- Place the salmon fillets skin-side down on the baking pan.
- Spread the mayo mixture evenly on the fillets, then sprinkle them with grated parmesan cheese.
- Bake the salmon fillets for 8 minutes.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve!
Notes
- Baking salmon fillets skin-side down helps keep them moist, but to prevent the skin from sticking, coat the baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper.
- Season both sides of the fillets before adding the mayo to make your baked salmon even more flavorful! Salt and pepper are enough, but Cajun seasoning will also be tasty.
- Freezing isn’t a good idea since the topping might separate, but you can store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To serve, reheat it in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Nutrition
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