Pan-Seared Cod with Tomato-Olive Ragout

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

Delicate cod fillets pan-seared to golden perfection and topped with a bright, savory ragout of tomatoes, olives, and fresh herbs inspired by Mediterranean coastal regions. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 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 fillets (6 oz each) cod fillets
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3, thinly sliced garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup, pitted and sliced kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 cod fillets and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear cod fillets skin-side down for 4-5 minutes until crisp and golden, then flip and cook 2-3 minutes until opaque and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and 1/2 cup sliced kalamata olives, cooking for 4-5 minutes until tomatoes soften and juices release.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1 tbsp lemon juice, then spoon the warm ragout over the cod fillets before serving.