Baked Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Roasted Sweet Potatoes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A Southern-inspired baked catfish seasoned with a bold Cajun spice blend served alongside caramelized roasted sweet potatoes. This southern-inspired seafood ready in about 55 minutes pairs (6 oz each) catfish fillets, olive oil, Cajun seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Peel and cut 2 medium sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, and 1 tbsp honey. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through until tender and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: While sweet potatoes roast, pat dry 4 catfish fillets (6 oz each). In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub 3 tbsp olive oil over catfish, then coat evenly with the spice blend.
  3. Step 3: After sweet potatoes have roasted 25 minutes, move them to one side of the baking sheet and place the catfish fillets on the other side. Bake everything together for 12-15 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the sweet potatoes are golden at the edges.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Roasted Sweet Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) catfish fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Roasted Sweet Potatoes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?

Southern seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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