Smoky Roasted Catfish with Njama Njama Greens

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-27 · Updated 2026-06-27

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Oven-roasted whole catfish seasoned with smoky spices, served with sautéed Njama Njama, a popular Cameroonian green vegetable. This African-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs whole catfish, cleaned, smoked paprika, garlic powder 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 African cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 lbs whole catfish, cleaned
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cups Njama Njama greens (or substitute with collard greens), chopped
1 medium onion, sliced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, mix 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp lemon juice into 2 tbsp vegetable oil to form a paste.
Step 2: Rub this spice mixture all over the 2 lbs cleaned whole catfish, making sure to coat inside the cavity and outside evenly.
Step 3: Place the catfish on a baking sheet lined with foil and roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Step 4: While the fish roasts, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 sliced medium onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
Step 5: Add 4 cups chopped Njama Njama greens and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the greens are wilted but still vibrant. Season with a pinch of salt to taste.
Step 6: Serve the roasted catfish hot alongside the sautéed greens for a balanced and flavorful dish.