Description
This Creamy Baked Cod recipe features tender cod fillets baked in a rich, garlicky cream sauce topped with seasoned breadcrumbs for a golden, crispy finish. Perfectly flaky fish with a luscious sauce makes this dish a comforting yet elegant dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 6 cod fillets
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
Butter Garlic Topping
- 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)
Crispy Topping
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cod.
- Prepare the cream sauce: Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons of cornstarch and cook for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of whipping cream and 1 cup of milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens. Add 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste. Keep the sauce warm on very low heat while you prepare the fish.
- Prepare baking dish and fish: Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels if needed, then place them evenly in the prepared dish. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt over the fillets.
- Apply butter garlic mixture: Combine 4 tablespoons of melted butter with 2 cloves of minced garlic. Brush this mixture over the tops of the cod fillets, reserving any leftover butter for later.
- Add breadcrumb topping: Evenly sprinkle 1/2 cup of seasoned breadcrumbs over the cod fillets. Pour any remaining butter-garlic mixture over the breadcrumbs to help create a golden crust.
- Add cream sauce: Carefully pour the warm cream sauce into the spaces between the cod fillets in the baking dish, filling it so that only the tops of the fillets remain visible.
- Bake the cod: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cream sauce is bubbling.
- Broil for finishing: Once bubbling, set the oven to broil. Broil the fillets for 3-5 minutes until the tops turn golden brown and crispy. Watch closely to prevent burning. Ensure the internal temperature of the fish reaches 145°F and the flesh flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately with your choice of potatoes, rice, or vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- This recipe consistently yields moist, flaky cod fillets with a flavorful, creamy sauce.
- Keep a close eye during broiling to avoid burning the breadcrumbs.
- Seasoned breadcrumbs add an extra hint of flavor and crunch to this dish.
- The creamy sauce can be prepared in advance and kept warm while prepping the fish.
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
