Description
This Creamy Baked Cod Recipe delivers tender, flaky cod fillets smothered in a rich, garlicky cream sauce topped with a crispy breadcrumb and Parmesan crust. Baked to perfection with a final broil for golden brown finish, it’s an indulgent yet approachable seafood dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Seasoning
- 6 cod fillets
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Butter and Garlic Mixture
- 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Cream Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups whipping cream (or half and half)
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Topping
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (seasoned)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cod.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: In a saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter and whisk in 3 tablespoons of cornstarch to form a roux. Gradually add 2 cups whipping cream and 1 cup milk while whisking continuously until smooth and thickened. Stir in 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese and season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Keep the sauce warm.
- Prepare Baking Dish and Fish: Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels, then place them evenly in the dish. Sprinkle the fillets with 1 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste) and black pepper.
- Butter and Garlic Mixture: Combine 4 tablespoons melted butter with minced garlic. Brush this mixture generously over each cod fillet, reserving any leftover butter mixture for later use.
- Add Breadcrumbs and Butter: Sprinkle the seasoned breadcrumbs evenly over the fillets. Then pour the remaining garlic butter mixture over the breadcrumbs to enhance flavor and help create a crispy topping.
- Pour Cream Sauce: Carefully pour the prepared warm cream sauce into the gaps between the fillets so that it fills the baking dish but leaves the tops of the fillets visible.
- Bake the Cod: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cream sauce bubbles and the fish reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, flaking easily with a fork.
- Broil for Golden Finish: Once bubbling, switch the oven to broil mode. Broil the cod for 3 to 5 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning, until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the creamy baked cod with your choice of potatoes, rice, or vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- This Creamy Baked Cod Recipe is incredibly flavorful and yields perfectly flaky fish every time.
- The creamy sauce adds rich depth, making it a favorite dish to impress family and guests.
- Keep a close watch during broiling to prevent burning the breadcrumb topping.
- Use fresh cod fillets for best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 531 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 764 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 157 mg
