A whole salmon fillet baked in the oven under a melted and golden cheese crust, with a layer of ultra thin slices of onion in between the fish and the cheese. Stunning presentation, comforting flavors - this is a very popular main course in the Russian community.
Something magical happens when you top food with mayonnaise and cheese and then bake it. It forms this amazingly crisp but still creamy crust. If you've got any Slavic blood in you, you're very familiar with this combination.
I am a huge fan of seafood and it's a very common dish on our dinner table. This is a winner on many counts - it comes together relatively quickly, looks impressive and is absolutely, lip smackingly delicious.
As you take a bite of the juicy, flaky salmon with the tender onions and creamy and crisp crust, don't be surprised if you find yourself closing your eyes with pleasure. Seriously delicious. Add a layer of sweet and juicy tomatoes and a smattering of fresh herbs to elevate the salmon to an even higher level of perfection.
Preparing the Salmon
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Place the salmon fillet on the prepared baking sheet.
What Fish Is Best To Use For This Recipe?
It's best to use one whole side of salmon. However, if your grocery store doesn't have a whole fillet, get two smaller pieces and put them together. Since we are topping the fish with onions, it will need enough time for the onions to cook through and become tender. Try to choose a thicker fillet, if possible. All of this is to make sure that the salmon will be juicy on the inside and still have a golden crust.
Season with salt and pepper. Season liberally, since the fish is very thick and the salt need to penetrate all the way through to the center.
Layer the thinly sliced onion on top of the fish, so they cover the surface of the fish completely.
Tomato and Herb Flavor Variation For the Cheesy Baked Salmon
You can also thinly slice or chop some tomatoes and place them on top of the onions and sprinkle with some fresh herbs. Now that would be delicious too. If you don't like onions, feel free to omit them.
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard and garlic. The mixture should be thin enough to easily spread over the onions. Cover the surface of the onions with the creamy mayo mixture and spread it out evenly.
Top with the finely grated cheese.
Baking the Salmon
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes,then broil for 2-5 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown.
When you line the baking sheet with aluminum foil, it makes it so much easier to transfer the salmon onto your serving platter. 
Can you see how juicy and moist the fish is on the inside? Let me tell you, this dinner is AMAZING.
Prepping the Cheesy Baked Salmon in Advance
You can prep the salmon fillet completely in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake it, bring the fish to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes and bake per above instructions.
PrintCheesy Baked Salmon
A whole salmon fillet baked in the oven under a melted and golden cheese crust, with a layer of ultra thin slices of onion in between the fish and the cheese. Stunning presentation, comforting flavors - this is a very popular main course in the Russian community.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Main Course
Ingredients
- 1 salmon fillet (2 lbs)
- 1 large onion (thinly sliced)
- salt (ground black pepper, to taste)
- ¼-⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- ½-1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1-2 garlic cloves (minced)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (finely shredded)
- ⅓-½ cup Mozzarella cheese (finely shredded)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Place the salmon fillet on the prepared baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Layer the thinly sliced onion on top of the fish, so it covers the surface of the fish completely.
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard and garlic. The mixture should be thin enough to easily spread over the onions. Cover the surface of the onions with the creamy mayo mixture and spread it out evenly. Top with the finely grated cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes,then broil for 2-5 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown.
such a wonderful recipe.. love this so much that Im sharing on my blog. I hope you dont mind 🙂
Thank you so much for this recipe. It was so good and definitely will be making again. Never thought onions with salmon would be so good. It's a keeper.
I'm so happy to hear that, Alison!
At first I thught I'd skip onion. After I read review's, I dedecided to give it a try.
Well, I want to say the fish turned out so, so good. My husband and kids enjoyed it as much as I did. No crunchy onion was found! I served it with rice and vegetables. THANK YOU OLGA))
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed this meal. It's a favorite in our family. Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I really appreciate your kind words.
This was so good! We made it for a housewarming party and everyone loved it. Thanks Olga 🙂
Yay! I'm so happy to hear that, Olga.
I tried this recipe and it turned out so yummy .. Well have to make it again and thanks for a great recipe.
You're welcome, Olesya. Thank you for taking the time to write.
Great recipe. made it years ago at a lunch party and people loved it. can I leave out the onions or substitute it with something else? thanks:)
Yes, Nazli, you can omit the onions and leave it with just the cheese crust, or you can also add some thinly sliced tomatoes with some fresh herbs. You can also use mushrooms or chopped walnuts.
I have enjoyed your blog for quite some time now and have tried a few of the recipes. This has become our favourite salmon recipe and we have it often. Tonight we tried something different - we grilled it on a cedar plank (after soaking the plank for a couple of hours) using a coal BBQ. It took a little longer to cook, but it was just as delicious.
What a great idea to grill it, Georgina. I'll have to try it that way myself. I'm so glad you are enjoying this recipe.
This is by far the most delicious way to make salmon! My husband and my 4 year old son absolutely loved it, there were no leftovers. Even my 15 month baby tried it and was asking for more! ☺
Olga, I tried several recipes from your blog and they all are very delicious and easy to make. When I try new recipes, it is a hit and miss with other food blogs out there, but never with yours! (Maybe we have same palate?) Thank you for your hard work!
Thank you so much, Liliya!
I really appreciate your kind words. I'm so pleased that you are enjoying my recipes. Thank you for taking the time to write and for visiting my website.
How many calories are in this delist dish?
I'm not sure, Patty. I don't count calories. I'm sure there are many tools online where you can plug in the ingredients and it will tell you how many calories it is.
This is the most requested dish by my husband lately! Thank you so much for the recipe!!!!
That's wonderful, Olga. Thank you so much for taking the time to write and let me know.
We're dieting so I am going to try this mixing half Hellman's Light and half Greek yogurt instead of all mayonnaise. I'll let you know how it turned out. It looks really yummy.
I use Greek yogurt sometimes too, Sue, so I'm sure it will work out well too.
Hi olga! Loved this recipe.. so easy to put together. I did take the tip from the previous writer on sautéing the bell peppers and onions and pounding them. turned out great 🙂 Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to write, Nachiar. I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed it.
Made this last week. Was a big hit at the dinner table, and big hit with me for how easy it was.
That's great, Polina! A recipe is a big hit with me if it's easy to make. I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed it.
Hi Olga.. im planning to make this salmon for my kids birthday party with family and was wondering how many hours ahead can i make this and store in frig? or can i make it ahead at all? maybe you already answered this question for someone but i dont have time to read through all the comments. Thanks alot and thanks for sharing your passion with us.
You can certainly prep the salmon ahead of time, even up to a day in advance. Bring it to room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before baking it though.
ok sounds good. also my salmon is 2.5 lbs does that change the time of baking? Thank you
The cooking time really depends on your oven and the thickness of the fish, Tammy. You can check for doneness by poking it with a fork. If it flakes easily, it's done. You can do this carefully and then cover it back up and no one will be able to tell that you peeked:).
Olga, I've made this fish twice now (including on thanksgiving), and both times it was a huge hit!!! It was incredibly juicy and tender/flaky. One guest described it as "the bomb!" lol. Thank you for all your great recipes. Keep doing what you do 🙂
Yay! I'm thrilled to hear that.
My husband often requests me to make it and I often make it for special occasions for him, like his birthday, because he loves it so much.