Baked Cod Tomato Basil (Printable)
Tender baked cod paired with a bright tomato basil sauce, perfect for light, flavorful dinners.
# What You Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 skinless, boneless cod fillets (5 oz each)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt, to taste
04 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Tomato Basil Sauce
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
09 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
10 - 1 teaspoon sugar
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - Salt, to taste
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
15 - 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
→ Garnish
16 - Fresh basil leaves
17 - Lemon wedges (optional)
# How-To:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to fit the cod fillets in a single layer.
02 - Pat the cod fillets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes.
04 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Incorporate crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Remove the sauce from heat and stir in chopped fresh basil.
07 - Spread half of the tomato basil sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the cod fillets evenly over the sauce, then spoon the remaining sauce atop the fillets.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
09 - Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the baked cod and serve with optional lemon wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The fish stays impossibly tender while the sauce clings to every flake with bright, fresh flavor.
- You'll have dinner ready in under 45 minutes with minimal cleanup.
- It feels fancy enough for guests but simple enough for a solo weeknight dinner.
02 -
- Cod is delicate and cooks faster than you'd expect—set a timer and check at 15 minutes rather than guessing.
- Pat the fish completely dry before cooking; moisture is the enemy of proper cooking and flavor.
- Don't stir the tomato sauce constantly; let it develop flavor without being fussed over.
03 -
- If you find good San Marzano tomatoes, use them—the difference in final flavor is noticeable and worth the small upgrade.
- Chop your basil right before serving rather than mixing it in earlier; it browns and loses its brightness when cooked too long.
- Squeeze a little lemon into the sauce at the end—it's the secret that makes people ask for the recipe.