Pan-Seared Catfish with Southern-Style Tomato Gravy

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-01 · Updated 2026-06-01

Golden pan-seared catfish fillets served with a rich southern tomato gravy spiced with paprika and garlic. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, all-purpose flour, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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, about 6 oz each catfish fillets
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 small, diced yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a shallow dish, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Dredge 4 catfish fillets in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the fillets and cook for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove fillets and keep warm.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Once melted, add 1 diced small yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent.
4. Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, 1 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper.
5. Step 5: Simmer the tomato gravy for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened and flavors meld. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
6. Step 6: Return the catfish fillets to the skillet, spooning tomato gravy over them and heat through for 2 minutes.
7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.