Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Quinoa
Delicate baked cod fillets topped with a vibrant tomato and olive relish, served alongside fluffy garlic herb quinoa for a wholesome dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs (about 5 oz each) cod fillets, salt, black pepper 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (about 5 oz each) cod fillets
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 1 cup, quartered cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup pitted and chopped kalamata olives
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil. Pat dry 4 cod fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place fillets in the dish.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Spoon this tomato-olive relish evenly over each cod fillet.
- Step 3: Bake cod for 12-15 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the topping is slightly softened.
- Step 4: While cod bakes, rinse 1 cup dry quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add rinsed quinoa and 2 cups vegetable broth to the saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 6: Remove quinoa from heat, fluff with a fork, and stir in 1 tsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 7: Serve the baked cod fillets topped with tomato-olive relish alongside the garlic herb quinoa.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Quinoa take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Quinoa?
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 (about 5 oz each) cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Quinoa?
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 Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Quinoa 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 Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Quinoa?
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.
