Categories Dinner Recipes, Easy Recipes, Family-Friendly Meals, Fish Recipes, Main Dishes

Easy Cod with Tomato and Herb Butter

by Annmarie

This buttery cod recipe features tender, flaky fish covered in a decadent tomato herb butter sauce. The cod is delicate and flavorful, while the rich sauce brings together savory, slightly spicy, and sweet flavors for a truly satisfying dinner.

Ready in under an hour, this easy dinner recipe is a wonderful way to serve cod. The combination of tender fish and velvety tomato butter sauce creates a dish that feels special while still being straightforward to prepare.

The cod can be served with rice, quinoa, or crusty bread to soak up all that flavorful sauce. A simple side salad also makes a great addition, giving the meal a fresh accompaniment alongside the rich and buttery fish.

The sauce begins with garlic, shallots, tomatoes, spices, and broth, which are simmered together until the tomatoes burst and release their juices. Once the butter and fresh herbs are stirred in, everything comes together into a rich and flavorful sauce.

The finished sauce is thick, velvety, slightly spicy, and sweet, with a buttery richness that makes every bite of cod even more delicious. It’s the kind of sauce that pairs beautifully with the tender fish and leaves plenty to spoon over the sides.

This baked cod recipe puts a flavorful spin on a classic fish dinner. With tender cod, juicy tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a rich butter sauce, it makes a comforting meal that can be enjoyed with a variety of simple sides.

Easy Cod with Tomato and Herb Butter

Yield: 4-6

Easy Cod with Tomato and Herb Butter

Easy Cod with Tomato and Herb Butter
No Ratings

Easy Cod with Tomato and Herb Butter is going to be your new favorite weeknight dinner. It will be the only baked cod with tomato recipe you will crave time after time. Add this yummy fish dinner recipe to your meal plan this week!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

Tomato and Herb Butter:

  • 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, sliced
  • 3 Tbsp. fresh chopped herbs (basil, parsley, chives, cilantro), plus extra for garnish

Cod:

  • 2 – 2 1/4 pounds fresh cod fillets, cut into 6–8 oz. portions*
  • 1 lemon
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Making the Tomato and Herb Butter - Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, then sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
  2. Stir in the tomatoes, chicken stock, sea salt, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Simmer uncovered for 15 to 17 minutes, or until the tomatoes have broken down, released their juices, and most of the liquid has evaporated.
  3. Take the saucepan off the heat and stir in the butter and fresh herbs. Continue stirring until the mixture becomes thick and velvety. Cover and keep warm while preparing the cod.
  4. Baking the Cod - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  5. Lightly drizzle the bottom of a casserole dish with olive oil. Choose a dish large enough to hold the cod in a single layer with some space around the fillets; using a dish that is too small can result in excess liquid during baking.
  6. Pat the cod thoroughly dry and arrange the pieces in a single layer. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Lightly drizzle the tops with olive oil and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fish, using about half a lemon.
  7. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 12 to 18 minutes, or until the cod flakes easily. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fish.
  8. Remove the cod from the oven and spread the tomato herb butter evenly over the top. Cover the dish again with aluminum foil and let the cod rest at room temperature for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
  9. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs, if desired, and serve immediately.
© Annmarie
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