Baked Cod in Cream Sauce
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
531 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
International
Baked Cod in Cream Sauce
Description
This recipe layers cod fillets in a baking dish coated lightly with cooking spray. Each fillet is brushed with melted butter mixed with minced garlic and sprinkled with seasoned breadcrumbs. A creamy sauce made from butter, cornstarch, whipping cream, milk, and Parmesan cheese is poured around the fillets, filling the dish and surrounding the fish with a velvety base.
During baking at 400°F, the cod cooks gently in the cream sauce until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and flakes easily with a fork, while the sauce thickens and bubbles. A brief broil at the end encourages a golden crust to form on top without burning. This method balances moistness from the sauce with crispness from the breadcrumb topping.
This cod preparation pairs well with steamed vegetables or light sides and serves as a rich, flavorful main course. The recipe recommends avoiding previously thawed fish for best quality and advises reheating gently on the stove rather than in a microwave to preserve texture. Careful attention to broiling prevents burning.
Ingredients
- 6 cod fillets
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs seasoned
For the cream sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups whipping cream (or half and half)
- 1 cups milk
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese grated
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Prepare cream sauce (see instructions below) and set aside, keeping warm. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Pat fish dry with a paper towel if needed and place cod fillets in the dish. Sprinkle with salt.
- Combine melted butter and garlic and brush over fillets, reserving any leftover butter mixture.
- Sprinkle seasoned breadcrumbs over fillets and pour remaining butter mixture over the top.
- Pour cream sauce in the spaces between the cod fillets so it fills up the baking dish and just the tops of the fillets are visible.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cream sauce starts bubbling. When the sauce starts bubbling up, set oven to "broil" and broil for about 3-5 minutes or until the fillets start to turn golden brown. Keep a CLOSE eye on it to make sure it doesn't start to burn. The internal temperature of the fish should be 145-degrees F and should flake easily when pulled apart with a fork.
- Remove from oven and serve with potatoes, rice, or vegetables.
For the cream sauce:
- Melt butter in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium heat.
- Slowly add the cornstarch and stir for about 1 minute.
- While whisking constantly, slowly add whipping cream and milk until well combined. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Reduce heat to low and whisk occasionally for about 10 minutes until sauce becomes rich and creamy, adding more milk, if needed. You want it to be the consistency of a thin gravy. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Notes
- Purchase fresh or properly frozen fish to avoid refreezing, which can degrade quality.
- Reheat leftovers slowly on the stove with a lid; avoid microwaving to prevent rubbery texture.
- Do not flip the cod during baking to keep fillets intact as they become tender and flaky.
- Watch carefully during the broil step to avoid burning the breadcrumb topping and achieve a golden finish.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 531 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 531kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 41g | 82% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Cholesterol | 157mg | 52% |
| Sodium | 764mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 707mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 795IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 216mg | 22% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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