main dishes

Garlic Parmesan Baked Cod

Posted by texasgirlcooks on

Garlic Parmesan Baked Cod is one of those dinners that looks a little fancy but is actually so simple to make. The cod bakes up tender and flaky with plenty of garlic, buttery flavor and a golden Parmesan topping. A squeeze of fresh lemon at the end makes it even better.

This is such a good recipe for busy weeknights when you want something quick without settling for a boring dinner. Add roasted vegetables, rice or a simple salad and you can have the whole meal on the table in about 30 minutes. 

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18–20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 cod fillets (about 6 ounces each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Parmesan Topping

  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons almond flour
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter

For Garnish

  • Fresh parsley
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels and arrange them in a single layer in the baking dish.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, melted butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
  4. Brush the garlic butter mixture generously over each fillet.
  5. In another bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, almond flour, parsley, and melted butter until crumbly.
  6. Sprinkle the Parmesan mixture evenly over the tops of the fish.
  7. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the cod flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. If you’d like a more golden topping, broil for the last 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Texas Girl Tip 🤍

The secret to juicy cod is not overbaking it. Pull it from the oven as soon as it flakes easily with a fork. A squeeze of fresh lemon just before serving brightens all the buttery garlic and Parmesan flavors.

Serving Ideas

  • Garlic roasted asparagus
  • Parmesan roasted broccoli
  • Cauliflower mash
  • Green beans with toasted almonds
  • Simple Caesar salad

Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)

  • Calories: ~325
  • Protein: ~36g
  • Net Carbs: ~3g
  • Fat: ~18g
  • Fiber: ~1g

Leave a Reply