Simple and Quick Tilapia Pesto
Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this "Simple and Quick Tilapia Pesto" recipe, a vibrant dish that’s bursting with fresh flavors and ready in just 17 minutes! Perfectly pan-seared tilapia fillets are draped in a velvety pesto-Parmesan sauce infused with zesty lemon juice and fragrant garlic. The addition of cherry tomatoes lends a delightful pop of freshness, while an optional garnish of fresh basil leaves makes this restaurant-worthy meal as visually stunning as it is delicious. This healthy, seafood-forward recipe pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or a crisp salad, making it an effortlessly elegant choice for a wholesome, satisfying dinner. Whether you’re short on time or simply craving bold, Mediterranean-inspired flavors, this tilapia pesto dish will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Tilapia fillets
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 0.5 cups Prepared basil pesto
- 0.25 cups Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 8 pieces Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and ground black pepper.
2. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
3. Once the skillet is hot, add the seasoned tilapia fillets. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until golden and flip the fillets.
4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and sprinkle the minced garlic around the fish. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the tilapia is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
5. Remove the tilapia from the skillet and set aside on a serving platter.
6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the lemon juice, basil pesto, and grated Parmesan cheese. Heat for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is smooth and warmed through.
7. Pour the warm pesto mixture over the tilapia fillets. Arrange the cherry tomatoes around the fish for a fresh and colorful touch.
8. Garnish with fresh basil leaves (if using) and serve immediately. Pair with a side of rice, pasta, or salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1522 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 102.0 g | 131% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.8 g | 134% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 285 mg | 95% | |
| Sodium | 3474 mg | 151% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19.9 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.5 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.2 g | ||
| Protein | 134.5 g | 269% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 926 mg | 71% | |
| Iron | 4.6 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 2094 mg | 45% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
