Parmesan Baked Cod

Parmesan baked cod riffs on fish topped with tartar sauce, replacing the usual relish with parmesan and a few other ingredients. It makes for a simple and flavorful main that you can serve with any number of side dishes, like roasted potatoes, a green salad or sauteed asparagus.

Make sure to explore our index of cod recipes, which include sandwiches, chowder and more if you love this dish.

Ingredients for Parmesan Baked Cod

• Cod: With its mild flavor and flaky texture, cod is great for people who don’t love an intense fish flavor. Both Pacific and Atlantic cod are available year round.
• Mayonnaise: This ingredient provides a little creaminess and tang to the dish. Opt for sour cream or Greek yogurt if you don’t love mayo.
• Green onion: Green onion is just a touch savory and pungent and won’t overwhelm the other flavors in this parmesan baked cod.
• Parmesan: What’s the difference between Parmigiano Reggiano vs parmesan? The former is considered a heritage food in Italy, so it must meet certain standards to be labeled as Parmigiano Reggiano.
• Worcestershire: This sauce was first made in England and is a mixture between vinegar, anchovies, molasses and other seasonings. A little goes a long way.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the cod

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Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly coat an 8×8-inch baking dish with oil, butter, or cooking spray coated and place the cod filets down on top.

Step 2: Make the sauce

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Fold the mayo, green onion, parmesan and Worcestershire together and spoon over the filets of cod.

Step 3: Bake the cod

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Place the cod in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until it flakes easily using a fork.

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Parmesan Baked Cod Variations

• Add some herbs: Individual herbs like tarragon and thyme would taste lovely in this dish or you can opt for a blend of herbs like Herbes de Provence. Whichever herb you choose should pair well with parmesan, the strongest tasting ingredient in this dish.
• Make it more umami: Umami means savory and is a word of Japanese origin. Parmesan is already big on umami so why not add some more? Ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms and artichokes are all great options.

How to Store Parmesan Baked Cod

To store any leftovers, place the parmesan baked cod in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to four days.  Reheat it in a pan over medium heat with the lid on or in the oven at 350°.

Can I freeze parmesan baked cod?

While cod and parmesan freeze well, mayo does not. Mayonnaise is an emulsion and freezing causes it to separate, completely changings its texture and flavor. So, if you want a recipe you can freeze, we suggest making a dish like artichoke cod with sun-dried tomatoes or cod with bacon and balsamic tomatoes.

Parmesan Baked Cod Tips

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What is the best cooking technique for cod?

Cod is a flaky and light fish that’s best when treated gently. This means low-to-medium heat and without disturbing it a whole lot. Options include steaming, baking or tossing it in a stew.

Why is my baked cod rubbery?

Fish can become rubbery when overcooked. Unlike some cuts of beef and pork, seafood rarely needs to be cooked for more than a few minutes. So make sure you keep an eye on things and take your cod off the heat as soon as it’s cooked through.

Why is my baked cod mushy?

This is a sign that the fish wasn’t thawed out properly. Ideally, you should allow cod to thaw in the fridge overnight and drain any excess liquid before cooking it. There’s a fine line between moist and mushy cod so be aware of how much moisture you expose it to as it’s cooking.