Baked Lemon-Rosemary Cod with Garlic Wilted Spinach
Delicate cod fillets baked with bright lemon and aromatic rosemary, paired with garlic-sautéed spinach for a light, healthy meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) cod fillets, lemon zest, fresh squeezed lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) cod fillets
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp, fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 tbsp divided olive oil
- 3/4 tsp divided salt
- 1/2 tsp divided black pepper
- 5 cups, washed and stems removed fresh spinach
- 3 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, mix 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Place 2 cod fillets (6 oz each) in a baking dish and brush both sides evenly with the lemon-rosemary mixture.
- Step 3: Bake cod for 12-15 minutes until opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 4: While cod bakes, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Step 5: Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (if using); sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 6: Add 5 cups fresh spinach with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper; sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until spinach is wilted and tender.
- Step 7: Serve baked cod alongside garlic wilted spinach, spooning any pan juices over the fish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Lemon-Rosemary Cod with Garlic Wilted Spinach 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 Lemon-Rosemary Cod with Garlic Wilted Spinach?
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 Lemon-Rosemary Cod with Garlic Wilted Spinach?
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 Lemon-Rosemary Cod with Garlic Wilted Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Lemon-Rosemary Cod with Garlic Wilted Spinach?
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.
