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    Home » Vegetarian

    Baked Cod with a Parmesan Crust on Tomatoes

    Published: Jul 22, 2021 · Modified: Oct 18, 2021 by Marita Sinden · 11 Comments

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    This baked cod with a parmesan crust, baked on a bed of fresh tomatoes is a real show-stopper of a dish. This recipe is perfect for those of us who love one-pot cooking. Baked cod with cheese and tomatoes is a classic and makes for a tasty family supper. You can serve this baked parmesan cod dish with potatoes, green salad or rice.

    black baking tray. The baking tray is lined with green letuce leaves. In the middle there are some tomatoes and on top of the tomatoes there are some fish fillets. The fish fillets are topped with a parmesan crust.

    Why we love this crusted cod recipe

    Cod fillet is a beautiful fish that is easy to cook and is quite mild-tasting. It is so versatile that it can be used in a variety of ways. This parmesan-crusted cod recipe is very easy to put together – but has a grand effect. 

    The Mediterranean baked cod is topped with a breadcrumb and parmesan, which creates an interesting contrast of textures between the moist fish and the crispy crust 

    The crust is made from garlic, butter, thyme, parmesan and breadcrumbs. Adding the garlic butter to the baked cod will give it a deliciously moist and buttery flavour. The fish will flake off the fork. The butter also helps the breadcrumb topping to get nice and crisp, as otherwise, the moisture of the fish might make the breadcrumbs soggy. 

    The smells that will come from this garlic parmesan cod baking in your oven will make your mouth water. 

    Can I use frozen cod for this recipe? 

    Yes, you can, I often think that is the better option. Unless you live right by the coast, the likelihood is that the fish has to be stored and transported makes the fish not as fresh as you would like. The freshness in fish can be frozen, and no nutritional values are lost in the freezing process. There are many advantages to buying frozen fish. For example, you can defrost in portions and do not need to use it all at once. 

    How to defrost cod 

    Defrosting cod in the correct way will help maintain the right flavours and textures. 

    Defrost cod in the fridge 

    If you have time, you can place the frozen cod in the fridge the night before you are planning to cook it. It takes several hours to defrost the fish in the fridge. Ensure that you keep it in its plastic packaging or place it in an airtight container. 

    Defrost cod in cold water 

    Place the frozen cod in a plastic bag and seal it. Place the plastic bag in a bowl of cold water and leave to defrost for about an hour. Double-check that the fish has been thoroughly defrosted before cooking, by pressing your finger on the flesh. If it still feels frozen in the middle, leave it to defrost for a bit longer.

    Do not defrost the fish in warm or hot water. This will cause the fish to defrost unevenly. 

    Use the microwave to defrost the fish

    You can also defrost the cod in the microwave. I would only recommend this option if you will prepare the fish immediately afterwards. Place the cod in a container and adjust the microwave to the defrost setting. Check the fish at regular intervals and remove it from the microwave when the fish is still cold but thoroughly defrosted. 

    A piece of crusted cod on top of tomatoes which lay on some green salad leaves

    Which breadcrumbs to use for the cod topping?

    I have made this recipe both with panko breadcrumbs and regular ones. They both work well. If you do not have breadcrumbs available you can use crushed crackers as a substitute.  

    How to make baked cod with breadcrumbs and parmesan

    Ingredients:

    Cod 

    • 4 cod fillets – about 600 g / 21 oz
    • 2 tablespoon flour 
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    For the breadcrumb parmesan crust:

    • 10 g / 0.3 oz of grated parmesan (about 2 tbsp)
    • 35 g / 1.2 oz of breadcrumbs (you can use panko breadcrumbs or regular ) 
    • 60 g/ 2.1 oz butter (softened at room temperature) 
    • 1 teaspoon thyme (fresh or dried) 
    • 2 cloves of garlic

    Tomato Bed

    • 5 medium sized tomatoes (about 250 g/ 8.8 oz) 
    • 4 tablespoon olive oil

    Parmesan Crusted Cod Recipe Steps

    Cod fillet on a plate being tossed in flour. Second image shows cod fillet being fried in a frying pan
    1. Preheat the oven to 200°C or 392°F
    2. Wash the fish with clean water and dry off with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper on each side.  In a shallow bowl add the flour and toss the fish fillets until covered. 
    3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a frying pan and pan-fry the fish for about 1 minutes until the outsides is/are browned. 
    Recipe Steps in three pictures. 1. slices tomatoes in a casserole dish being brushed with olive oi. 2. Cod breadcrumb topping being prepared. 3. The cod fillets are in a white casserole dish. They lie on top of the tomatoes and are being topped iwth the bread crumb crust.
    1. Wash the tomatoes and remove the stems. Slice the tomatoes into thin slices. Distribute the tomato slices on the bottom of a shallow casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with 4 tablespoon olive oil 
    2. Place the fish fillets on top of the tomatoes. 
    3. In a separate bowl, crush the garlic. Add the parmesan, thyme, butter and breadcrumbs. With a spoon mix all the ingredients to a smooth paste. Season with salt and pepper. 
    4. Using a spoon, spread the parmesan crust evenly on the fish fillets. You can use your fingers to press the breadcrumbs mixture onto the fish if necessary. 
    5. Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The parmesan breadcrumb crust should be golden brown when you remove the dish from the oven. 
    6. Serve immediately. 

    Side dishes for Baked Cod

    This dish is full of flavour and goes with a variety of dishes. I served it with a side of lettuce salad. Although it also goes well with potatoes or even fries. Here is a list I have come up with:

    • Boiled potatoes 
    • Fried Potatoes 
    • Green Lettuce Salad 
    • Potato Salad 
    • Rice

    Storage Instructions 

    When I make this dish, I rarely have leftovers. However, if you would like to save some of the baked cod for the next day, I would suggest you keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. Consume within two days.

    A white plate with green salad leaves. On top of the salad leaves is a piece of cod which has a breaded crust. A fork lies on the plate with a piece of cod broken off.

    More Seafood Recipes

    • German Fish Cakes (Fishfrikadellen)
    • Bremer (German fish sandwich)
    • Pomegranate Glazed Salmon
    • Schwedish Vegetable Soup

    This recipe was first published in April 2015 and updated in July 2021.

    Recipe

    A black baking tray. On the baking tray there are some green lettuce leaves. On top of the lettuce leaves are potatoes and fish fillets The fish fillets in topped with breadcrumbs

    Baked Cod with a Parmesan Crust on Tomatoes

    Marita
    This is an easy baked cod recipe that is topped with a delicious parmesan, breadcrumb and garlic crust.
    4.91 from 10 votes
    I look forward to your feedback. Just click the stars above.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine German
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 960 kcal

    Equipment

    • a casserole dish

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cod fillets  about 600 g / 21 oz (you can subsitute the cod with hake, pollok or salmon)
    • 2 tablespoon flour
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 4 medium tomatoes

    For the parmesan crust

    • 10 g grated parmesan (about 2 tbsp)
    • 35 g breadcrumbs  1.2 oz (you can use regular breadcrumbs or panko)
    • 60 g butter 2.1 oz
    • 1 teaspoon thyme fresh or dried
    • 2 garlic cloves
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 200°C or 392°F
    • Wash the fish with clean water and dry off with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper on each side.  In a shallow bowl add the flour and toss the fish fillets until covered. 
    • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a frying pan and pan-fry the fish for about 1 minute each until the outsides/are browned. 
    • Wash the tomatoes and remove the stems. Slice the tomatoes into thin slices. Distribute the tomato slices on the bottom of a shallow casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with 4 tablespoon olive oil 
    • Place the fish fillets on top of the tomatoes. 
    • In a separate bowl, crush the garlic. Add the parmesan, thyme, butter and breadcrumbs. With a spoon mix all the ingredients to a smooth paste. Season with salt and pepper. 
    • Using a spoon, spread the parmesan crust evenly on the fish fillets. You can use your fingers to press the breadcrumbs mixture onto the fish if necessary. 
    • Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The parmesan breadcrumb crust should be golden brown when you remove the dish from the oven. 
    • Serve immediately. 

    Notes

    Please check the recipe for step by step images. 
    Refer to the recipe post on the best was to defrost frozen fish. 

    Storage Instructions 

    When I make this dish, I rarely have leftovers. However, if you would like to save some of the baked cod for the next day, I would suggest you keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. Consume within two days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 960kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 164gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 421mgSodium: 702mgPotassium: 4045mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1805IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 209mgIron: 5mg
    Keyword baked cod, cod with tomatoes and cheese, parmesan crusted cod
    Did you make this recipe? I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Please leave a quick Comment and star rating. I appreciate your feedback.

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      Rhubarb Streusel Cake (Rhabarberkuchen)
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      Homemade Spinatknödel (Spinach Dumplings) with Parmesan
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    Comments

      4.91 from 10 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says

      July 22, 2021 at 10:17 am

      5 stars
      I can almost feel the crunchiness of the cod! You just provided me with the perfect dinner idea for tonight! Thanks:)

      Reply
    2. Jeri says

      July 22, 2021 at 4:56 am

      5 stars
      I love one-pot recipes, and I love seafood recipes, so this was perfect! The breadcrumb coating with parmesan complimented the fish so well, and it was so easy to make!

      Reply
      • Marita says

        July 22, 2021 at 8:44 am

        Thanks Jeri, I am glad you liked it.

        Reply
    3. Jeannie says

      July 22, 2021 at 3:03 am

      5 stars
      I love easy recipes to prepare for dinner especially when Im too tired. This looks delicious

      Reply
      • Marita says

        July 22, 2021 at 8:44 am

        Thank you.

        Reply
    4. Gregory Halpen says

      July 21, 2021 at 8:35 pm

      5 stars
      This was a great meal idea! Completely enjoyed it! I haven’t had cod in forever!

      Reply
      • Marita says

        July 22, 2021 at 8:43 am

        Thanks Greg,I am glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    5. Kayla says

      July 21, 2021 at 7:08 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for sharing this! It was so simple and delicious! It made for the perfect weeknight dinner.

      Reply
      • Marita says

        July 22, 2021 at 8:43 am

        Thanks Kayla

        Reply
    6. Freya says

      July 21, 2021 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      This was absolutely delicious and so simple to put together!

      Reply
      • Marita says

        July 22, 2021 at 8:42 am

        Thank you. Some of the best things are simple

        Reply

    Hi, I'm Marita

    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. Here at My Dinner, you will find traditional and authentic German recipes with cultural backgrounds.

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