Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Cod with Lemon Garlic Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Flaky cod fillets baked under a fragrant crust of Italian herbs and breadcrumbs, topped with a bright lemon garlic butter sauce. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (5 oz each) cod fillets, panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pat dry 4 cod fillets (5 oz each) and place them spaced evenly on the baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Brush each cod fillet with 2 tbsp olive oil, then evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the tops, pressing gently to adhere.
  4. Step 4: Bake the cod for 12-15 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, and the crust is golden brown.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle the warm lemon garlic butter over the baked cod fillets immediately before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Cod with Lemon Garlic Butter 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 Italian Herb-Crusted Cod with Lemon Garlic Butter?

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 (5 oz each) cod fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Cod with Lemon Garlic Butter?

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 Italian Herb-Crusted Cod with Lemon Garlic Butter 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 Italian Herb-Crusted Cod with Lemon Garlic Butter?

Italian 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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