Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Tapenade and Herb Breadcrumbs
Flaky baked cod topped with a vibrant tomato and olive tapenade and finished with crunchy herb breadcrumbs for a Mediterranean-inspired seafood dish. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (6 oz each) cod fillets, olive oil, cherry tomatoes, quartered 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
- 2 tbsp capers, rinsed
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil. Pat dry 4 cod fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Place cod in the baking dish.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped Kalamata olives, 2 tbsp rinsed capers, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1/4 tsp salt to create the tapenade.
- Step 3: Spoon the tomato-olive tapenade evenly over the cod fillets.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Sprinkle this herb breadcrumb mixture evenly over the tapenade-topped cod.
- Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork and the breadcrumbs are golden and crisp.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with lemon wedges to squeeze over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Tapenade and Herb Breadcrumbs 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 Tapenade and Herb Breadcrumbs?
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) cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Tapenade and Herb Breadcrumbs?
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 Tapenade and Herb Breadcrumbs 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 Tapenade and Herb Breadcrumbs?
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.
