Baked Spanish-Style Cod with Tomato-Pepper Sauce
Delicate cod fillets baked in a vibrant sauce of tomatoes, roasted red peppers, garlic, and smoked paprika for a flavorful Mediterranean meal. This Spanish-inspired seafood recipe (mediterranean), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs cod fillets, olive oil, garlic cloves 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, chopped roasted red peppers
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- for serving lemon wedges
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 3: Transfer the tomato-pepper sauce to a baking dish and nestle 4 cod fillets on top, spooning some sauce over each piece.
- Step 4: Bake uncovered for 12-15 minutes until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the baked cod and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Spanish-Style Cod with Tomato-Pepper Sauce 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 Spanish-Style Cod with Tomato-Pepper 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 Spanish-Style Cod with Tomato-Pepper 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 Spanish-Style Cod with Tomato-Pepper 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 Spanish-Style Cod with Tomato-Pepper Sauce?
Spanish 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.
