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Looking for an easy fish dinner that’s ready in about 30 minutes? This Easy Baked Pesto Tilapia is one of those simple recipes that delivers big flavor with very little effort.
Tilapia is a mild white fish, which makes it the perfect canvas for vibrant basil pesto. Just spread a little prepared pesto over the fillets, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and bake until tender and flaky. The result is a light, flavorful meal that feels much more special than the short ingredient list suggests.
Whether you use homemade pesto or your favorite jarred variety, this is one of those quick weeknight dinners you’ll come back to again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Just 4 simple ingredients
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- An easy high-protein, WW-friendly dinner
- Great with homemade or store-bought pesto
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Naturally low in carbs and gluten-free
Ingredients and Notes
- Tilapia fillets – Mild, flaky white fish that cooks quickly. Fresh or thawed frozen fillets both work well.
- Prepared basil pesto – Homemade is wonderful if basil is abundant, but a good-quality refrigerated or jarred pesto works beautifully too.
- Fresh lemon juice – Brightens the rich pesto and balances the flavors.
- Salt and pepper – A light seasoning is all you need since pesto already adds plenty of flavor.
How to Make Baked Tilapia with Basil Pesto
Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.
Step 2: Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line a small baking dish with foil or parchment paper, and spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 3: Place the fish fillets on a cutting board (affiliate link) and spread the pesto over the top.
Step 4: Roll up the fish and secure with a skewer if it is thick, or simply roll up, then place in the prepared pan.
Step 5: Season fish lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle lemon juice over the top.
Step 6: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked.
Step 7: Remove from the oven and serve.
Recipe Tips
- If one end of your fillet is much thinner than the other, roll it up from the narrow end for more even cooking.
- Thick fillets may need a small skewer or toothpick to help hold their shape while baking.
- Bake just until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Overcooked tilapia can become dry.
- Refrigerated pesto often has a fresher basil flavor than shelf-stable versions, but either works well.
Variations
- Substitute cod, haddock, halibut, or mahi-mahi.
- Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan before baking.
- Top with sliced cherry tomatoes after baking.
- Add a little lemon zest for even brighter flavor.
- Spread any extra pesto over roasted potatoes or vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Roasted potatoes
- Rice or farro
- Steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus
- Easy Cheesy 2-ingredient zucchini casserole
- A simple green salad
- Easy cucumber salad
Storage and Leftovers
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Enjoy cold over a salad, flaked into a wrap, or gently reheat in the microwave (affiliate link) or a low oven until just warmed through.
How Many Calories and WW Points?
According to my calculations, each serving of pesto baked tilapia has 207 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
5 PointsPlus (Old plan)
If you’ve made this Baked Tilapia with Pesto, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Easy Baked Pesto Tilapia (4 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 tilapia filet (6 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon prepared pesto
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line a small baking dish with foil or parchment and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the fish on a cutting board (affiliate link) and spread pesto over the top.
- Roll up the filet and secure with a skewer if it is thick, or simply roll and place in the prepared pan.
- Season fish lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle lemon juice over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and serve.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 5 PointsPlus (Old plan) One package of tilapia from Trader Joe’s can vary slightly in size and thickness. It comes frozen and when you thaw it you’ll be able to judge whether you need a skewer or not to hold the fillet/s together as they cook. I’ve tried this a few times and found a thin and a thicker fillet in the same package so it’s good to have the bamboo skewers on hand.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
