Baked Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Southern Cornbread

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

A flavorful regional Southern dish featuring tender catfish fillets rubbed with Cajun spices and baked to perfection, paired with moist, golden cornbread. This southern-inspired seafood ready in about 55 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets, Cajun seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp lemon juice, stirring into a paste. Rub this mixture evenly onto 4 catfish fillets, coating all sides.
  2. Step 2: Place the seasoned catfish fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment and bake for 15-18 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1 tsp salt until evenly mixed.
  4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, beat 1 large egg with 1 cup whole milk and 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir just until combined.
  5. Step 5: Grease an 8-inch square baking pan and pour in the cornbread batter. Bake in the 400°F oven for 20-22 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Step 6: Serve the baked Cajun-spiced catfish alongside warm cornbread for a hearty Southern regional meal.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Southern Cornbread 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 Southern Cornbread?

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 cajun seasoning from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Southern Cornbread?

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 Southern Cornbread 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 Southern Cornbread?

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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