Baked Cod with Herb-Crust and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Delicate cod fillets baked under a fresh herb crust paired with sweet roasted cherry tomatoes for a light, flavorful seafood dish. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs cod fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) cod fillets
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh basil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- for serving lemon wedges
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place 4 cod fillets on the sheet and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Mix well to make the herb crust.
- Step 3: Press the herb breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of each cod fillet, gently pressing to adhere.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, toss 2 cups cherry tomatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Arrange tomatoes around the cod fillets on the baking sheet.
- Step 5: Drizzle the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over the cod and tomatoes. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, and the herb crust is golden.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with lemon wedges to squeeze over the fish and tomatoes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cod with Herb-Crust and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Cod with Herb-Crust and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cod with Herb-Crust and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?
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 Cod with Herb-Crust and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes 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 Cod with Herb-Crust and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?
Mediterranean 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Cooked for my family and they couldn't stop eating it. The herb crust was a hit!
- ★★★★★
The herb crust was perfect and the tomatoes were bursting with flavor. My whole family loved it!
- ★★★★★
The herb crust made the cod so flavorful and the roasted tomatoes were the perfect side. My husband and I loved it!








