Effortless Baked Cod Recipe for Any Occasion

Introduction

Few dishes strike the perfect balance between sophistication and simplicity quite like baked cod. This Effortless Baked Cod recipe is a game-changer for anyone craving a healthy, elegant meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Its gentle flakiness, delicate flavor, and quick prep make it an ideal choice for busy weeknights, special gatherings, or even as a stunning centerpiece for a dinner party.

Why This Baked Cod Recipe Stands Out

What makes this baked cod truly effortless is its minimal prep, short ingredient list, and universal appeal. Cod’s mild flavor soaks up a zesty garlic-lemon marinade, while a light breadcrumb topping delivers an irresistible golden crust. The result: a mouthwatering, restaurant-quality dish that delightfully pleases all palates with no fuss.

The Secret to Flaky, Tender Baked Cod

Achieving that classic flaky texture is all about timing and a dry heat environment. Baking cod at a moderately high temperature locks in moisture while giving it a gently crisp topping. A quick garlic, lemon, and herb mixture infuses every bite, making it both healthy and full of flavor. Resting the baked fillets for a couple of minutes before serving ensures the juices are perfectly reabsorbed for melt-in-your-mouth doneness.

Serving Suggestions for an Effortless Baked Cod Dinner

Serve your cod with herbed rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad to keep things light and fresh. For added flair, garnish with fresh dill, parsley, or extra lemon wedges. This foolproof recipe delivers elegance and nutrition—it’s equally at home on a family weeknight table or at a festive dinner gathering.

Nutritional Information & Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous servings. Each serving is approximately 200 calories, low in fat, and packed with lean protein. It’s an excellent option for health-conscious eaters, as well as those wanting to enjoy a light yet satisfying meal.

Effortless Baked Cod Recipe Recap

This baked cod is a harmonious blend of delicate flavors and textures—succulent, flaky fish crowned with a crisp, herbaceous topping. With minimal effort, it shines as a reliable go-to dish for any event.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section. Make your grocery trips quicker and meal planning more efficient!

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil.
2. Arrange the cod fillets in a single layer in the baking dish. Lightly pat dry with paper towels for optimal browning.
3. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Brush the mixture evenly over the tops of the cod fillets.
4. In another bowl, combine breadcrumbs and chopped parsley. Sprinkle evenly over each fillet, pressing lightly to adhere.
5. Bake uncovered for 12–15 minutes, or until the cod flakes easily with a fork and the topping is golden. Thicker fillets might require an extra 2–3 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven, let rest for 2 minutes, then serve hot. Garnish with additional parsley, dill, or lemon wedges if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Make your weekly seafood night effortless! Save and schedule this recipe to your meal plan, and CookifyAI will automatically merge all your ingredients and organize them by grocery section.

Planning Benefits:

• Aggregates ingredient quantities across all your recipes
• Organizes your shopping list by section for rapid in-store trips
• Helps avoid ingredient overlap and reduces food waste
• Makes meal planning for your busy week stress-free and streamlined

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes in CookifyAI to see where ingredients like olive oil, lemons, or breadcrumbs overlap with other meals, making bulk buying simple and reducing last-minute grocery runs.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Enjoy the simplicity and flavor of this Effortless Baked Cod recipe—your new go-to dish for any occasion!