Calling this baked fish recipe “stuffed” is a bit of a misnomer because the cod fillets are simply topped with a buttery combination of fresh breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, and a pinch of crushed red pepper, but no matter what you call it, it’s a delicious and easy way to cook fish.
Because this dish is quick enough for a weeknight dinner, yet impressive enough to serve for company, we make it often and have even included it in our Italian Christmas Eve Dinner Menu.
Baked Stuffed Cod
Table of Contents
This foolproof recipe for moist and flaky baked cod fillets is topped with a mixture of buttered fresh breadcrumbs, garlic, and chopped parsley.
Ingredients
- 1 to 1-1/4 lbs cod fillets about 1 inch thick (see notes for substitutions)
- 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice divided
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 3/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and thoroughly coat a baking dish with nonstick spray and add the cod fillets.
- Try to choose a dish that will accommodate your fish in a single layer with little or no room left over. If your fillets have thin portions (as most do), it’s a good idea to overlap them a bit to keep the thickness somewhat uniform.
- Drizzle the fish with 1 tablespoon each of the lemon juice and olive oil, then season lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a separate skillet, heat the remaining olive oil together with the butter over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and sauté just until garlic begins to turn golden (do not brown).
- Remove from the heat, stir in the remaining lemon juice, breadcrumbs and parsley.
- Spread the crumb mixture evenly over the fish and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily.
- Serve immediately (this dish is served casserole-style – you don’t have to portion out individual fillets).
This recipe works nicely with just about any thick, flaky white fish. If you can’t get cod, try haddock, pollack, or grouper.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Baked Stuffed Cod
Amount per Serving
Calories
432
% Daily Value*
Fat
24
g
37
%
Saturated Fat
8
g
50
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
15
g
Cholesterol
101
mg
34
%
Sodium
406
mg
18
%
Carbohydrates
16
g
5
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
2
g
2
%
Protein
35
g
70
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Snap a photo and tag @gourmetconnect in your posts. We love to see what you’ve been making!
Pauline says
Made this for Christmas Eve. What a hit! I used seasoned croutons as the breading for the breadcrumbs. I put them in a food processor to grind them. It was so good I made it again a week later. It’s also an easy recipe to follow. I say give it a try!
Patrick says
I live in New England, and I eat a lot of seafood, including codfish. This is by far the best cod fish recipe I have ever found online. I must confess, however, I couldn’t help but add bay scallops and chopped shrimp to the bread crumb topping. UNBELIEVABLE flavor!
Thank you for sharing!
Patrick says
I live in New England, and I eat a lot of seafood, including codfish. This is by far the best cod fish recipe I have ever found online. I must confess, however, I couldn’t help but add bay scallops and chopped shrimp to the bread crumb topping. UNBELIEVABLE flavor!
Thank you for sharing!
Patrick says
I live in New England, and I eat a lot of seafood, including codfish. This is by far the best cod fish recipe I have ever found online. I must confess, however, I couldn’t help but add bay scallops and chopped shrimp to the bread crumb topping. UNBELIEVABLE flavor!
Thank you for sharing!
Bette says
This is a great recipe – it’s easy and fast yet it looks very inviting on your table!
Bette says
This is a great recipe – it’s easy and fast yet it looks very inviting on your table!
Bette says
This is a great recipe – it’s easy and fast yet it looks very inviting on your table!
Lynne Webb says
Hi Bette,
So glad to hear you liked the cod done this way. It’s a virtually foolproof way to cook fish and a nice dish to serve for company.