This baked cod recipe is made with your favorite store-bought roasted garlic pasta sauce and is packed with a ton of fresh veggies. Healthy yet decadent!
This baked cod dish was dreamt up when I was thinking of exciting ways to stay diligent on my Whole 30 diet and minimize my carbohydrates intake. I ended up loving it so much that it’s become part of my family’s regular dinner rotation. Whether you’re a huge fan of cod or looking for an interesting way to get more veggies in your diet, I’m positive you’re going to love it!
Hot Tip: Having a hard time getting your hands on good cod? 9 times out of 10, you can find top-quality cod at Costco or Trader Joe’s.
How to Make this Baked Cod Step-By-Step
This baked cod recipe only requires 8 wholesome ingredients to make and super simple prep. Below, find a step-by-step overview of the recipe before you get started.
- Prep the Veggies: Dice the carrots, onions, celery, and red pepper into similar-sized pieces. Next, sauté them in a skillet until they begin to soften.
- Add the Pasta Sauce: Pour the roasted garlic pasta sauce into the skillet and stir to combine.
- Assemble the Dish: Place the cod fillets on the bottom of a baking dish (this one by Staub is great for baked fish). Season the tops with salt and pepper and pour the sauce directly on top.
- Bake the Cod: Bake the cod covered with aluminum foil in the oven at 350°F for 40 minutes. Serve the dish immediately or chill it in the fridge and eat it cold. Enjoy!
Did you know? Cod is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 145°F. If you’re unsure if it’s finished, check it with a meat thermometer. If you need a recco, I’ve been using the Thermapen MK4 for years.
Pro Tips for Amazing Baked Cod
Here you’ll find some pro tips to help you make the most amazing baked cod with veggies possible.
- Easily swap out or add more veggies. This dish is super versatile, so swap in the veggies you love most. Cherry tomatoes, asparagus, broccoli, and zucchini all work great if you need some inspiration.
- Chop all veggies into similar-sized pieces. To promote even cooking and yield the best possible texture, chop all the veggies into similar-sized pieces.
- Use your favorite boneless white fish. If cod fillets aren’t your protein of choice or you just have another boneless white fish on hand, use it! It will work just as great. Mahi mahi and halibut are both great options.
What Goes Well With Baked Cod
The juices that develop while the cod is baking are wonderful spooned over steamed white rice. If you want to go a bit healthier, opt for quinoa or buckwheat or a simple side salad. If you decide to chill this dish and eat it cold, serve it as a spread over a piece of buttery sourdough or your favorite crackers. Yum!
Tips for Storing Baked Cod Leftovers
Whether you have couple of cod filets to store in the refrigerator or an entire baking dish you’d like to freeze, find all the top tips for storage here.
How to Store Cod in the Refrigerator
To keep your cod on hand for up to 3 days, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This will not only keep it fresher longer, but it will also keep the cod from smelling up your fridge.
How to Freeze Baked Cod
If you’d like to freeze your baked cod for up to 3 months, assemble it in a disposable aluminum baking dish or some other freezer-safe container. There’s no need to bake it beforehand, as you can pop the frozen dish directly into the oven when you’re ready to eat it. Meal preppers unite!
FAQ
How can you tell if baked cod is done?
Baked cod is done with the fish turns opaque in color and easily flakes with a fork. If you still can’t tell, check that the internal temperature has reached 145°F.
What other spices can you add to baked cod?
If you’d like to elevate the baked cod with additional spices, use some cajun seasoning, onion powder, or garlic powder in addition to the salt and pepper. If you’re into herbs, add some fresh parsley or basil to the mix. Additionally, a spritz of lemon juice is always a welcome addition to cod.
Can you use a different sauce for this recipe?
If you don’t have roasted garlic pasta sauce, use any other red sauce you can get your hands on. Stay away from creamy or cheesy sauces, as the citrus from the tomatoes is really what makes this dish so good.
Why did my baked cod turn out so tough?
Your cod likely turned out too tough if you over-baked it. White fish can be extremely finicky, so make sure to keep a close eye on it and remove it once it’s flakey.
Should you bake the cod uncovered?
To protect the cod from turning rubbery, bake it covered with aluminum foil. This will also create a subtle steaming effect and make your cod super moist.
Other Cod Recipes
- Crispy Air Fryer Cod + Video (15-Minutes) – Crispy cod with no panko required
- Easy Baked Cod Recipe – Simple baked cod with butter and veggies
- Easy Potato & Cod Recipe – One-pan dinner
- Buttered Cod Recipe – Baked cod with melted butter & lemon wedges
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lb cod fillets
- 5 small carrots
- 1 large onion
- 2 cups celery chopped
- 1 large bell pepper
- 16 oz Roasted garlic pasta sauce
- 1 tbsp salt & pepper adjust to taste
- 1/2 tbsp ground black pepper adjust to taste
- 2 tbsp oil avocado or olive
Instructions
- Dice all the veggies into small pieces.
- In a large skillet, sauté the vegetables with a bit of olive oil.
- Add the roasted garlic pasta sauce to the vegetables and stir to combine.
- Place the cod fillets on the bottom of a baking dish. Season the tops with salt and pepper. Pour the veggie sauce on over the top of the fish.
- Cover it with a lid or foil. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes. Serve warm or cold and enjoy!
This recipe is delicious! It reminds me of the canned salad that my mom used to make for winter. I put it over rice that I made on the side and it was amazing. Healthy, filling and took me back to my childhood!
Thank you!
Hi there- I'm so glad this recipe brought back fond memories for you. Thanks for commenting!
Hi! Where did you purchase the cod? ?
I dont have a specific place. I use to get it at Costco, lately Trader Joes.
Also do you bake it uncovered?
I covered it while it was baking.
Any brand pasta sauce will work? I'm gathering my ingredients to make this I LOVE dishes like these!!
Yes, you can make it with any past sauce. I would stay away from cheesy sauce.
Hi Natalya! From my understanding, you sautéed the vegetables all separately, right? Is there a reason for that?
I usually do them all separate because they have more of the golden color much quicker.