Description
This creamy baked cod recipe features tender cod fillets baked in a rich and flavorful cream sauce topped with seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. It yields perfectly flaky fish with a golden brown crust and a luscious, bubbly cream sauce, making it a comforting and elegant main dish ideal for serving with potatoes, rice, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Fish:
- 6 cod fillets
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
For the 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)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the ideal baking temperature for the cod.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: In a saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch to form a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly bubbling. Gradually whisk in the whipping cream and milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Add grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste. Keep the sauce warm on low heat while you prepare the fish.
- Prepare Baking Dish and Fish: Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place the fillets in the baking dish in a single layer and sprinkle them with kosher salt.
- Butter and Garlic Mixture: Combine the melted 4 tablespoons of butter with minced garlic. Brush this mixture evenly over the cod fillets, reserving any leftover butter and garlic to pour over the breadcrumbs later.
- Add Breadcrumbs and Butter: Sprinkle the seasoned breadcrumbs evenly over the fillets. Pour the remaining butter and garlic mixture over the breadcrumbs to moisten and enhance flavor.
- Add Cream Sauce: Carefully pour the prepared cream sauce into the spaces around the cod fillets so it fills the baking dish and the tops of the fillets remain visible.
- Bake the Cod: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cream sauce is bubbling and the fish is cooked through. The internal temperature of the fish should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit and should flake easily when tested with a fork.
- Broil for Browning: Once bubbling, set the oven to broil and broil the cod for 3-5 minutes, watching closely to achieve a golden brown crust on the fillets without burning.
- Serve: Remove the cod from the oven and serve immediately, accompanying it with potatoes, rice, or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- This Creamy Baked Cod Recipe is a favorite for its perfectly flaky texture and rich, creamy sauce.
- Keep a close eye during the broiling step to prevent burning the breadcrumbs.
- Ensure the internal temperature of cod reaches 145°F for safe consumption.
- Seasoned breadcrumbs add extra flavor; you can substitute with panko or plain breadcrumbs plus dried herbs if desired.
- The recipe works well with half and half as a lighter alternative to whipping cream.
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
