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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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)
Directions
Step 1
1. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and ground black pepper.
Step 2
2. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
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.
Step 5
5. Remove the tilapia from the skillet and set aside on a serving platter.
Step 6
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.
Step 7
7. Pour the warm pesto mixture over the tilapia fillets. Arrange the cherry tomatoes around the fish for a fresh and colorful touch.
Step 8
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
| Serving size | (785.2g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1521.6 |
| Total Fat 102.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 26.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 285.2mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3473.7mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 19.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 6.2g | |
| Protein 134.5g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 926.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 4.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2093.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories