Tender, flaky white fish topped with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs and baked until perfectly golden. This nostalgic Southern favorite is simple, comforting, and tastes just like the classic cafeteria-style baked fish so many of us grew up enjoying.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18–22 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4–6

Ingredients

Fish

• 1½ pounds mild white fish (cod, pollock, haddock, or tilapia)
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Buttery Ritz Topping

• ¾ cup finely crushed Ritz crackers
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Pinch of paprika
• Optional: 1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese (for extra golden color)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Pat the fish dry with paper towels and arrange it in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, seasoned salt, and white pepper until smooth.
4. Spread the buttery mixture evenly over each piece of fish.
5. In another bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, paprika, and Parmesan (if using). Sprinkle the topping evenly over the fish without pressing it down.
6. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. If you’d like a little more color on top, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
7. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

Texas Girl Tip ❤️

For an even more nostalgic cafeteria-style flavor, replace 1 tablespoon of the melted butter in the fish mixture with 1 tablespoon of chicken broth. It adds a subtle savory richness while keeping the fish tender and moist.

For the most authentic old-school flavor, use white pepper instead of black pepper and avoid overbaking. The fish should be silky, flaky, and moist—not dry.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Buttered green beans
• Macaroni and cheese
• Fried okra
• Coleslaw
• Warm dinner rolls
• Homemade tartar sauce

Enjoy!
❤️ Misty