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A simple sheet pan dinner that’s ready in less than 30 minutes, this Oven Baked Cod recipe is quick to make for busy weeknight dinners.
Garlic, parmesan and lemon butter sauce are the best flavors to complement the tender Baked Cod Filets. Mom approved and kid friendly!
My Weeknight Dinner Winner
We’ve been trying to add fish to our weekly menu because it’s always a quick dinner that bakes up in no time. You don’t have to do too much work to prep it and it, usually, turns out juicy and moist. Always a great option on busy weeknights.
Enter this Parmesan Baked Cod with Lemon and Vegetables. The sheet pan dinner recipe that trumps all other sheet pan dinners. This one pan lemon Baked Cod is drizzled with a garlic butter sauce and sprinkled with parmesan cheese before being baked in the oven to a tender, flakey, moist bite of heaven.
I wanted to add to our arsenal of fish recipes so we’re not left with Pizza Friday every single pizza Friday during lent. And my family loves this Miso Glazed Salmon but not every single week. Know what I mean? This Baked Cod Fish recipe is just the thing you need to help mix things up during those few weeks where meat is off limits at the end of the week.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Cod – I like to use 4 ounce cod fillets for perfect portion control. But buying a larger piece of cod and cutting it yourself into portions is a more budget friendly way to enjoy this mild fish.
- Vegetables – My favorite vegetables to pair with cod fish are broccoli, squash, asparagus and green beans but you can use your favorite veggies.
- Butter – Salted butter is the way to go, it is more flavorful than unsalted butter and a little goes a long way.
- Seasoning – I grab the italian seasoning for this recipe because it’s a cornucopia of flavor and keeps meal time prep simple. Add kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to amp up the flavor but keep it simple.
- Cheese – Grated parmesan cheese adds a nutty flavor and pairs well with the mild cod.
For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.
How To Bake Cod in the Oven
This easy Oven Baked Cod recipe is so simple to make and with just one pan to clean. Line that pan with foil and clean up will be a breeze!
- Prep the fish. Line a baking sheet with foil and arrange the cod fillets on the baking sheet. Arrange your vegetables around the fish and set aside.
- Make the garlic butter sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon, pepper, garlic and herbs. Drizzle the butter over the fish and vegetables. Sprinkle the fish with parmesan cheese.
- Bake the cod. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cod loin flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with lemon slices, if desired.
How Long to Bake Cod Fish
There are a number of theories out there on how high you should bake your cod and for how long. Here’s a little guide on how to bake cod in the oven and for how long:
- For oven temperatures of 325 degrees, bake your cod fillets for 20-25 minutes.
- For oven temperatures of 350 degrees, bake your cod fillets for 15-20 minutes.
- For oven temperatures of 400 degrees, bake your cod fillets for 10-15 minutes.
I prefer to go with a higher temperature and shorter baking time for my cod as I feel it tends to leave me with more tender cod fish fillets. Plus, dinner’s on the table quicker leaving me with less hangry family members in the kitchen.
What does cod fish taste like?
A lean saltwater fish, cod has a milder, sweet flavor with a delicate texture that appeals to most non-fish eaters who are afraid of fishy tasting fish. It’s fantastically tender and stays moist during baking.
Cod is a great fish to eat and is relatively inexpensive compared to other varieties of fish. It’s a good source of heart healthy Omega-3 fatty acid and is rich in lean protein, as well as, B-12.
What To Serve With It
- Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese….soooooo good!
- Our Best House Salad
- Jasmine Rice is always a safe bet for picky eaters
- Easy Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, my personal favorite.
- Easy Classic Cole Slaw
- Easy Grilled Garlic Potatoes….they can be made in the oven too!
More easy fish recipes!
- Super easy Seafood Gumbo
- Homemade Fish Sticks
- Lobster Bisque that’s so not fancy pants.
- 10 minute Lobster Rolls
- Tortilla Crusted Tilapia with Mango Salsa….so amazing.
- Sweet Chili Orange Glazed Salmon…dinner in 20 minutes.
- Easy Cheesy Shrimp and Grits
- Easy Fish Tacos
For more easy dinner ideas, follow us over on Facebook!
Oven Baked Cod Recipe
Equipment
- sheet pan
- chef's knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 6 cod fillets
- 1 cup chopped broccoli
- 2 yellow squash, chopped
- 2 cups fresh green beans
- 6 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Arrange the cod on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.
- Scatter the vegetables around the cod and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the butter, italian seasoning lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pour the lemon butter sauce over the fish and vegetables.
- Toss the vegetables lightly to coat.
- Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the fish.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the fish is no longer translucent and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove the cod from the oven and serve with the veggies alongside lemon wedges, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Make sure your cod filets are the same size and thickness so they cook evenly.
- Same for the vegetables, they need to be cut into uniform sizes so they all cook at the same rate.
- Cod filets can be substituted with salmon filets, halibut or mahi mahi.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Would I be able to substitute Tilapia for the Cod ?
You sure can! The Tilapia will cook a little faster so keep an eye on things after the 5 minute mark.