Creamy Garlic Parmesan Baked Cod 🐟🧄🧀
Tender, flaky cod fillets baked in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce. This easy seafood dinner comes together quickly and pairs beautifully with vegetables, rice, or pasta.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Cod
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly grease a baking dish.
2. Season the Cod
- Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels.
- Place them in the baking dish.
- Brush with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Season with:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
3. Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook for 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in cream and broth.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook until the sauce slightly thickens.
4. Bake the Cod
- Pour the creamy sauce over the cod.
- Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, depending on thickness.
- The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145°F (63°C) internally.
5. Finish and Serve
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
- Add lemon wedges.
- Spoon extra sauce over the fish before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted asparagus
- Cauliflower rice (low-carb)
- Buttered noodles
- Crusty bread to soak up the sauce
Variations
Spinach Garlic Parmesan Cod
Add:
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Stir into the sauce before baking
Tuscan Style
Add:
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- A handful of spinach
Crunchy Topping
Before baking, add:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked cod with sauce for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) or on the stovetop to avoid drying out the fish.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 42 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
Tips for Perfect Baked Cod
- Pat the fish dry before seasoning so the sauce sticks better.
- Avoid overbaking—cod becomes dry if cooked too long.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother than pre-shredded cheese.
- Let the cod rest for 3–5 minutes after baking so the sauce settles.