Sheet Pan Cajun-Spiced Catfish with Roasted Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

Tender catfish fillets rubbed with Cajun spices and roasted alongside sweet bell peppers for a flavorful Southern-inspired dinner. This caribbean-inspired seafood (gluten free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) catfish fillets, olive oil, smoked paprika 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 (6 oz each) catfish fillets
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips red bell peppers
• 1 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips yellow bell pepper
• for serving lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to make the Cajun spice mix.
2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets (6 oz each). Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the fillets and rub evenly with all the Cajun seasoning until fully coated.
3. Step 3: Toss sliced 2 red bell peppers and 1 yellow bell pepper (all sliced into 1/2-inch strips) with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt.
4. Step 4: Arrange the seasoned catfish fillets and bell pepper strips on a large rimmed sheet pan in a single layer.
5. Step 5: Roast in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until the catfish flakes easily with a fork and the bell peppers are tender and slightly caramelized.
6. Step 6: Remove from oven and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over the fish.