Easy Baked Cod with Fresh Tomato Basil
A quick and easy baked cod recipe topped with fresh tomato basil, perfect for a wholesome and flavorful dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each), fresh or thawed, skinless and boneless
- 2 cups diced fresh tomatoes (about 300 g), Roma or vine-ripened
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed, chopped just before serving
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt to taste (sea salt preferred)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease your baking dish with a tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine diced fresh tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped fresh basil, 2 tablespoons olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir gently to combine.
- Pat dry the cod fillets with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Sprinkle both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Place the cod fillets in the greased baking dish, spacing them evenly. Spoon the tomato basil mixture evenly over each fillet, covering but not drowning the fish.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, depending on fillet thickness. The cod should be opaque and flake easily with a fork when done.
- Check for doneness around 12 minutes; if not ready, bake 2-3 minutes longer but avoid overbaking.
- Serve immediately, garnished with a few fresh basil leaves. Pair with steamed rice, crusty bread, or a light salad.
Notes
Patting the cod dry before baking helps achieve better texture. Drain excess tomato juice if topping looks watery to avoid sogginess. Rest fish for a couple of minutes after baking to keep it moist. Use ripe but firm tomatoes to maintain topping texture. The recipe is forgiving but avoid overbaking to prevent dryness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One 6 oz (170 g) cod
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 3
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 30
Keywords: baked cod, fresh tomato basil, easy dinner, healthy fish recipe, quick seafood, gluten-free, dairy-free