Oven-Roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives
Whole sea bass roasted with vibrant cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and aromatic herbs for a flavorful Mediterranean entrée. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 40 minutes pairs divided kosher salt, divided black pepper, thinly sliced garlic cloves 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
- 1 (about 2 lbs), cleaned and scaled whole sea bass
- 1 1/2 tsp, divided kosher salt
- 1 tsp, divided black pepper
- 4 cloves thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 3/4 cup pitted and halved Kalamata olives
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary sprigs
- 4 slices fresh lemon slices
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Rinse 1 whole sea bass (about 2 lbs) and pat dry. Season inside and out with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
- Step 2: Stuff the cavity with 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves, 2 fresh rosemary sprigs, and 4 fresh lemon slices.
- Step 3: In a roasting pan, toss 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and 3/4 cup pitted halved Kalamata olives with 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Spread evenly.
- Step 4: Place the stuffed sea bass on top of the tomato and olive bed. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the skin is crisp.
- Step 5: Transfer fish to a serving platter, scatter the roasted tomatoes and olives around, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Oven-Roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass 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 divided kosher salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass 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 Oven-Roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass 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 Oven-Roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass 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.
