Baked Parmesan-Crusted Cod with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
Tender cod fillets baked under a golden Parmesan crust and served with a bright garlic lemon butter sauce. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs cod fillets, grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs 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 (6 oz each) cod fillets
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3, minced fresh garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a shallow dish, combine 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried Italian herbs, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Pat dry 4 cod fillets (6 oz each) and brush both sides lightly with 2 tbsp olive oil. Press the tops of the fillets firmly into the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture to form an even crust.
- Step 3: Place the coated cod fillets on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 4: While the cod bakes, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Remove the saucepan from heat, stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 6: Serve the baked Parmesan-crusted cod drizzled with the warm garlic lemon butter sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Parmesan-Crusted Cod with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce 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 Parmesan-Crusted Cod with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Parmesan-Crusted Cod with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce?
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 Parmesan-Crusted Cod with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce 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 Parmesan-Crusted Cod with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce?
American 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.
