Baked Italian-Style Cod with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives
Tender cod fillets baked in a zesty tomato and olive sauce, infused with garlic and fresh basil for a light Mediterranean dish. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 30 minutes pairs (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 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 (5 oz each) cod fillets
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat dry 4 cod fillets (5 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup halved Kalamata olives, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to soften and release juices.
- Step 4: Nestle the seasoned cod fillets into the tomato-olive mixture. Spoon some sauce over the fish.
- Step 5: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 12-15 minutes until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 6: Remove from oven, sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil over the fish and sauce. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Italian-Style Cod with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 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 Italian-Style Cod with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives?
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-Style Cod with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives?
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-Style Cod with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives 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-Style Cod with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives?
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.
