Italian Cod Recipe with Tomatoes (2024)

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This Italian Cod Recipe with tomatoes is ready in just 30 minutes. Simmer codfish fillets in a tomato sauce for an easy and delicious weeknight meal.

Italian Cod Recipe with Tomatoes (1)

If you are looking for a healthy cod recipe that can be prepared and served in under thirty minutes, this recipe is for you.

Just like this garlic oregano baked cod fish, or this recipe for acqua pazza most Italian fish recipes are also simple and delicious.

Let me show you how quickly this particular recipe comes together.

Italian Cod Recipe with Tomatoes (2)

Mise en place

Prep the garlic: I will usually use about 3-4 cloves of garlic that I crush with the side of my knife and then coarsely chop. Feel free to use more (or less) according to your personal preference.

Get the tomatoes ready: I like to use canned tomatoes for this easy fish recipe. If possible, purchase San Marzano whole peeled canned tomatoes packed in their juices and not tomato sauce. Use a high-quality canned tomato just like when we made our classic marinara sauce.

Empty a 28 ounce (796 mL) can in a large bowl and hand crush the tomatoes. Add 1 cup of water to the empty can, swirl it around and add it to the bowl of crushed tomatoes.

Prep the onions and the shallots: Coarsely chop 1 medium onion and 3-4 shallots.

The rest of the ingredients can be prepared while the tomato sauce simmers.

Instructions

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.

Italian Cod Recipe with Tomatoes (3)

Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 medium chopped onion and 3-4 chopped green onions (scallions). Sauté until softened (4-5 minutes).

Add the 4 cloves of chopped garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. The addition of a pinch of red pepper flakes at this point is optional. Add ½ cup of white wine followed by crushed tomatoes (28 ounces or 796 mL).

Italian Cod Recipe with Tomatoes (4)

Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Since I use chopped parsley to garnish the cooked dish, I throw in the parsley stalks while the sauce is simmering.

At this point, taste your tomato sauce. Adjust for salt and pepper.

Reduce the heat to medium, and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Italian Cod Recipe with Tomatoes (5)

While the sauce is simmering, rinse 4 cod fillets (about 2 pounds or 900 grams total) quickly under cold water and pat dry. Season with paprika (about ½ teaspoon ) and salt and pepper.

After the sauce has been simmering for about 20 minutes, place the fish in the sauce, cover and cook for about 7-10 minutes or until fish flakes easily and turns opaque in color (total time depends on the thickness of the fillet).

OPTIONAL: Garnish with freshly chopped Italian parsley.

The extra sauce can be refrigerated and served with pasta for another quick supper meal.

Tips

  • Rinse cod fillets quickly under cold water and pat dry.
  • Use the best quality and freshest ingredients.
  • Replace canned tomatoes with whole frozen tomatoes.
  • The extra sauce can be refrigerated and served with pasta for another quick supper meal.

Can I use another kind of fish?

Yes, replace the cod with any firm, white fish fillet such as haddock, bass or grouper (to name just a few).

How can you tell that the cod is cooked?

The fish should be opaque and flake easily when tested with a fork. As a general rule, allow for 10 minutes of cooking time per inch (2.5cm) of the fish thickness.

Easy seafood recipes we love

  • Lemon Garlic Shrimp
  • Pan-Seared Scallops
  • Coquilles St Jacques
  • Seafood Pizza
  • Smoked SalmonPinwheels
  • Seafood Salad
  • Fish Chowder
  • Maple Glazed Salmon

Italian Cod Recipe with Tomatoes (6)

Recipe origins

Growing up in an Italian household, Fridays were synonymous with the tradition of enjoying fish. This fresh cod recipe, a staple on our dinner table, was often accompanied by Italian potatoes, creating a comforting and flavorful meal.

As the holiday season approached, a unique twist awaited us on Christmas Eve—my mom’s rendition of this recipe featuring Salted cod, also known as Baccalà, for La Vigilia, a cherished Italian tradition. During this festive time, we would gather with family and friends to celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes, savoring an array of delectable fish and seafood dishes.

Despite the abundance of seafood choices, one dish has consistently stood out as a personal favorite on our Italian Christmas Eve menu—the Spaghetti di San Giuseppe or St. Joseph’s Spaghetti, a beloved family recipe.

But I digress…

For those curious about a recent twist on this classic codfish recipe, I collaborated with my friend Carlo, a professional chef. If you’d like to witness the preparation of this variation, you can check out the step-by-step guide on YouTube.

Follow this link and subscribe to the YouTube channel for more culinary delights.

★★★★★ If you have made this recipe for codfish, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe

Italian Cod Recipe with Tomatoes (7)

Italian Cod Recipe with Tomato Sauce

This Italian Cod Recipe with tomatoes is ready in just 30 minutes. Simmer codfish fillets in a tomato sauce for an easy and delicious weeknight meal.

5 from 9 votes

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Course: Main

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings (6 ounces each)

Calories: 302kcal

Author: Maria Vannelli RD

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3-4 green onions (scallions) chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves chopped
  • pinch red pepper flakes optional
  • ½ cup white wine
  • 1 28 ounces San Marzano, whole canned tomatoes 796 mL, lightly hand crushed
  • 1 cup water to rinse out the inside of the empty can
  • 2 pounds cod fillets or firm white fish approximately 900 grams, skinless
  • ½ teaspoon paprika dried
  • salt and pepper according to taste
  • parsley for garnishing

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.

  • Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onions and green onions. Sauté until softened (4-5 minutes).

  • Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.

  • OPTIONAL: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

  • Add the white wine followed by the crushed tomatoes.

  • Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. At this point, taste your tomato sauce. Adjust for salt and pepper.

  • Reduce the heat to medium, and allow it to simmer slowly for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

  • While the sauce is simmering, rinse 4 cod fillets (about 2 pounds or 900 grams total) quickly under cold water and pat dry. Season with paprika (about ½ teaspoon ) and salt and pepper.

  • After the sauce has been simmering for about 20 minutes, place the fish in the sauce, cover and cook for about 7-10 minutes or until fish flakes easily and turns opaque in color (total time depends on the thickness of the fillet).

  • Serve immediately.

  • OPTIONAL: Garnish with freshly chopped Italian parsley.

Scroll UP for the STEP by STEP PhotosDon't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it.

Notes

  • Rinse cod fillets quickly under cold water and pat dry.
  • Use the best quality and freshest ingredients.
  • The extra sauce can be refrigerated and served with pasta for another quick supper meal.
  • I used wild Atlantic Cod Fillets for this cod fish recipe.

Can I use another kind of fish? Yes, replace the cod with any firm, white fish fillet such as haddock, bass or grouper (to name just a few).

How can you tell that the cod is cooked? The fish should be opaque and flakes easily when tested with a fork. As a general rule, allow for 10 minutes of cooking time per inch (2.5cm) of the fish thickness.

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 1073mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg

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Italian Cod Recipe with Tomatoes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cooking technique for cod? ›

Try a gentle cooking method: Instead of adding fat, you can also try a gentle cooking method like steaming or cooking en papillote. Both of these methods help to preserve Pacific cod's high moisture content and produce incredibly tender results.

Do you have to soak cod fish before cooking? ›

Soaking is the most important step in preparing salt cod. Most recipes say to soak for 24 hours. However, this is risky and may leave the fish too salty. About 48 hours is a better bet.

What wine goes with cod tomatoes? ›

If your Cod meal also includes ingredients like tomatoes, peppers or chorizo, you can match it with a full bodied Red Wine – such as Cabernet or Merlot. To take with a dish of chipped Cod, Chardonnay is the most appropriate.

How to cook cod Martha Stewart? ›

Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch nonreactive baking dish; set aside. ...
  2. Season fish with salt and pepper; place in baking dish. Scatter olive mixture evenly over fish. ...
  3. Cover dish with foil. Bake until fish is firm, flaky, and cooked through, 15 to 17 minutes.
Jan 31, 2022

Is cod better in the oven or pan? ›

Pan-frying is a great option for cod fillet or loin as there is time to produce a lovely crispy skin without overcooking the delicate, flaky flesh. This is the way cod and similar white fish are often cooked in restaurant kitchens and is very simple to do at home.

What makes cod taste good? ›

Its meaty flesh is firm, moist, and flaky, making it perfect for various cooking methods. The flavor of cod is not too fishy, which is why it is a favorite among those not keen on the strong taste of seafood. When cooked, it has a subtle sweetness that is enhanced by the natural briny flavor of the sea.

How do you know when cod is cooked enough? ›

The best way to tell if your fish is done is by testing it with a fork at an angle, at the thickest point, and twist gently. The fish will flake easily when it's done and it will lose its translucent or raw appearance. A good rule of thumb is to cook the fish to an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees.

Why do you soak cod in milk? ›

Before cooking, soak the fish in milk for 20 minutes

In this scenario, the protein in the milk binds with the compounds that cause that fishy odor, in essence extracting if from the fish. What's left behind is sweet-smelling, brighter flesh with clean flavor.

Should you take cod out of fridge before cooking? ›

If you salt your fish less than an hour before cooking, you can leave the fish on the kitchen counter. If you salt it for longer, refrigerate it so it doesn't spoil. Another tip is to remove the fish from the fridge half an hour before cooking.

What is a tomato cod? ›

Cephalopholis sonnerati, known as the tomato hind, tomato rockcod, or tomato cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is in the family Serranidae which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is distributed on coral reefs in the tropical Indo-Pacific.

What drink goes with cod? ›

Cod, Sole, Plaice and Haddock

For this seafood, it's all about those light-moderate white wines. Think of lighter white Burgundy, Pinot Gris, dry Rieslings or New World Chardonnays (minus the oak), or if you want to be really adventurous, seek out some Picpoul.

Why does Pinot Grigio go well with fish? ›

Pinot grigio is also another amazing contender when it comes to wine and seafood pairings. Its floral and fruity flavor and mid-bodied profile make a great pairing for lighter fish such as any local flounder, John dory, whiting, scup, butterfish, black sea bass, or haddock.

How do you cook Jamie Oliver cod? ›

Season the cod with sea salt and black pepper, place on an oiled baking tray and lay two slices of pancetta over the top of each fillet. Halve the lemons and place the four lemon halves, cut side down, on the tray next to the fish. Roast in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily.

Do you flip cod when baking? ›

Carefully flip the cod and transfer the pan to the oven. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the fish feels slightly firm when gently pressed with your finger.

Why is my cooked cod tough? ›

Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery. In addition, overcooked fish can have a severe lack of flavor, as the heat causes the natural oils in the fish to evaporate.

What is the cod fish technique? ›

COD-FISH is a strand-specific modification of standard FISH technology which allows the hybridization of single-stranded probes to one, and only one, chromatid of a metaphase chromosome.

How to cook cod so it's not rubbery? ›

Temperature is the key to making sure your frozen cod doesn't turn out rubbery or chewy. No matter how you cook it, be sure that your cod reaches an internal temperature of 145˚F as measured by a food thermometer. At this temperature, its flesh will be opaque white and flake easily when pressed with a fork.

Should cod be soaked in milk before cooking? ›

Before cooking, soak the fish in milk for 20 minutes

In this scenario, the protein in the milk binds with the compounds that cause that fishy odor, in essence extracting if from the fish. What's left behind is sweet-smelling, brighter flesh with clean flavor. (Just make sure you pour that milk down the drain.

What is the most popular method of cooking fish? ›

Frying. Frying is probably the most popular method of cooking fish. Shallow frying: The fish should be seasoned and lightly coated with flour or crumb before frying to protect it and seal in the flavour. Use a mixture of oil and butter when frying and turn the fish only once during cooking, to avoid breaking up.

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