Cod au Gratin is a traditional Newfoundland recipe with the star ingredient being, of course, cod! There’s a lovely little béchamel or white sauce covering the fish. Then, it’s topped with cheese and breadcrumbs and oven baked until bubbly and brown. So comforting and delicious!
Hey friends!
Sharing an iconic Newfoundland recipe with you guys today – cod au gratin!
I just love sharing traditional Newfoundland recipes. Some of my faves are salt cod fish cakes, boiled beans, crispy cod tongues and toutons (fried bread dough).
So what’s this traditional Newfoundland cod au gratin recipe all about?
Well, cod is the fish in Newfoundland. And cod au gratin is among the most popular traditional dishes of the province. You can find this recipe made at some time or another in practically everyone’s home in Newfoundland. It’s no wonder…it’s so comforting!
My Mother-in-law gave me these beautiful frozen cod fillets and they went to good use in this dish. Au gratin anything is never a bad thing, is it? I mean, cheese covered whatever and baked? Sign me up!
I like to add dill and lemon to my recipe. Not everyone’s version of cod au gratin has dill, but I love to add it because seafood and dill go so well together. It’s definitely a classic combo.
Another little twist that I like to do (just to take it one step further) is to add lemon zest to the sauce. I find that the freshness of the lemon and dill really brighten the dish.
How to Make Cod au Gratin?
Full details on how to make this traditional Newfoundland cod au gratin is in the recipe card below, but here are the basics –
- If using cod that has been previously frozen, pre-cook in a casserole dish and lay to one side (I find this helps because it reduces some of the water in the cod fish and your end result is not too wet).
- Cook onion on the stove top until softened.
- In a pot, make roux (flour/butter mixture to thicken sauce).
- Add milk to roux, cook until thickened a little, and season with salt, pepper, lemon zest and dill.
- Pour sauce mixture over cod, top with cheese and bread crumbs.
- Bake until bubbly and brown.
- Let cool slightly and garnish with additional dill.
- Enjoy!
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Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Yep! Like most recipes, this is best enjoyed when it’s baked. However, it does reheat well. Keep in mind, though, it may be a little less moist if reheating.
If you want to prep the recipe up to the point before baking, go right ahead! Store, covered, in the fridge a day ahead and bake the next day. You just may have to bake a little longer (as it was in the cold fridge).
Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3 days.
What to Serve with Cod au Gratin?
- Lemon wedges are highly recommended.
- Hot sauce dabbled over top adds a little somethin’.
- Serve with a mixed green salad to really make this a substantial meal
- A thick slice of homemade bread. My favourite? Bread slathered in butter and drizzled with molasses. Trust me. It works with the cod au gratin.
Can This Recipe Be Served as an Appetizer?
Yes! Cod au gratin works as an appetizer as part of a multi course meal. Of course, it’s substantial enough to easily be a meal in itself.
For this recipe, I made in one big dish. However, for presentation purposes it really looks nice cooked and served in little individual dishes.
This recipe yields about 4 servings for dinner or 6 appetizer servings.
More Tips +Variations for Making this Cod au Gratin Recipe
- You can use either frozen or fresh cod fillets. As mentioned, if using frozen cod fillets, pre-cook a little to get rid of excess moisture. I find that cod, when frozen, releases a lot of moisture when cooked. By pre-cooking the cod, it gets rid of excess moisture so that lovely creamy béchamel sauce you have made doesn’t get watered down. If you are using fresh cod, you don’t have to pre-cook before baking the cod au gratin.
- Croissant bread crumbs were used in this recipe, but bread crumbs would work great too.
- Want an even richer sauce? Use equal parts milk and half and half (or cream) instead of all milk.
- Dill was used in this cod au gratin and it works so lovely with the fish. If you rather not use it, you can omit. Another yummy herb is thyme.
- Let the cod au gratin cool for a little after it’s baked before digging in. This gives things a chance to cool down a bit and set.
Hope you love this cod au gratin recipe as much as we do!
Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon,
~Dawn
Make this traditional Newfoundland cod au gratin recipe? That’s awesome! Love it if you left a comment and rating below. Many thanks, you guys! XO
Traditional Newfoundland Cod au Gratin
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb cod -about 3 large fillets, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1.5 cups milk -use 2 cups if you want things more 'saucy'
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion -minced
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter -1/4 cup
- 4 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1.25 tsp salt -divided
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon zest -reserve lemon for wedges (4) later
- 1 3/4 tsp dried dill -divided
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 croissant -made into bread crumbs or 1 cup bread crumbs
Instructions
- In a small pot on stove-top heat milk on low. Preheat oven to 375F. Place cod in casserole dish and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp of salt. Lay to one side until you make the sauce. See note below if using cod fillets that have been previously frozen, as in my case.
- Meanwhile, in another pot on stove-top, add 1 tbsp. of olive oil. Heat on medium low. Add onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- To onion, add butter; melt. Add flour and stir to form a paste. Stirring, cook for about 3-5 minutes. Slowly add milk to this (1/2 cup at a time), stirring after each addition until thickened about 3-4 minutes. Sauce mixture should coat back of a spoon. Mixture will be thick.
- To sauce mixture, add remaining salt, pepper, lemon zest and 1.5 tsp of dill (you can use less, if you prefer). Stir to combine. Pour sauce mixture over cod, coating all fish. Stir to ensure mixture is incorporated well.
- Add cheese and croissant crumbs on top of sauced fish mixture. Bake for 40 minutes until brown and bubbly. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 tsp of dried dill over top. Let cool about 20 minutes before serving (don't skip this). Serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition (estimate only)
Love it! I’ve never tried anything like that because I don’t really get out my comfort zone with fish, but I do have to. This would be a great way to start.
It sure would 😉 Thanks Silvia!
I love that you used croissant crumbs here. What a great idea. This sounds like awesome comfort food – I love anything with a white sauce (and cheese of course)!
Thank you Danielle! Me too 😉
I’m so trying this out soon! I love cod, and since I’m living in Spain, it just everywhere here! Although salted… but once unsalted must be pretty much the same taste … hopefully;) Yum!
Awesome – glad to hear that Marie! I would definitely recommend using fresh or fresh/frozen, not salted in this recipe if you can get your hands on some 🙂 Thanks so much! Hope you love it!
Excellent recipe – best one I have found. I used frozen cod, so I thawed, patted dry and fried in my pan after sautéing my onions – just slightly to remove some moisture.
I also added a little more lemon zest just because my lemon was quite large.
Thank you very much. Appreciate that – happy you enjoyed the recipe! Definitely a favourite in our home 🙂 A little extra lemon zest is perfectly fine in my books. Love that stuff! Thanks for stopping by!
Iam.new to this dish. But i have heard of it. I would like to taste it. I should be near to your place so that a delicious dinner would have been possible. Individual serving of dishes are tempting . And demeter name stuart is so cute
Thanks for the comments, Smitha! Happy you like the recipe 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Can this be made a head of time and be reheated.
Thanks for stopping by, Madeline! It would be best served fresh, of course, but would definitely be ok to make ahead of time and reheated and still be tasty 🙂
Made it today for our church luncheon and it was a hit. Thanks for the recipe.
So happy to hear that, Madeline 🙂 Thanks for letting me know; you made my day!
Perfect comfort food! I don’t think I’ve ever had it but that’s gotta change too if it’s this much of a classic where you’re from – know it must be good! Plus, I’m always looking for new great seafood dishes!
And yes, I totally get random food cravings and they most often involve vegetables. So I don’t think your NEED for cauliflower is weird at all 😉 Have a wonderful weekend! XO
Thanks Kathryn! I’m sure you will love it! I make it quite regularly and it never disappoints. If you do try, let me know how you like it.
Ok, it’s good to know I’m not the only one who gets random food cravings and if they are involving vegetables that’s always a good thing, isn’t it?
Have a wonderful weekend too! xo
This recipe looks amazing Dawn! I love all the photos. I had to stop myself from drooling because everything looks so scrumptious! I am with you on the cauliflower rice …I literally had it for dinner all week! Sounds like you enjoyed your weekend, I hope you have another great one! Off to pinning this yummy recipe! 🙂
Thanks so much, Amanda! Appreciate the kind comments, girl – means a lot! And thanks for the Pin 🙂 Have a good one too! We have a long weekend here so really looking forward to it 🙂
This looks amazing! I never think to cook Cod, but I need to start! I’ve had it before and I love that is a light white fish–not to heavy and full of flavor! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks so much, Amanda! Hope you get a chance to try the recipe soon! Appreciate the comments 🙂
I feel you on the cauliflower craving – I had the same one earlier this week and thought the world was ending because I was craving that instead of sweets! (It didn’t last long though, I’ll be honest.) Ah this dish looks SO good Dawn, I have never herd of cod au gratin before, but you’re right – anything au gratin is bound to be delicious! Love that you used croissants as your bread crumbs, that is such a good idea! Pinned, and saving this for an upcoming rainy day when I’m craving a little twist of comfort food!
Hahaha 😀 I know, such a funny craving to have, isn’t it? Not like candy or potato chips or something. Thanks so much for the sweet comments and Pin, Michelle! Much appreciated, girl!
I love cod! Actually, I love any kind of firm, white fish…so I’m thinking perhaps I was meant to live in Newfoundland. 🙂 I’ve never had cod au gratin before, though, and I’m thinking I need to change that. Plus, the croissant crumbs? You evil, evil woman! (By evil, I mean awesome.) This sounds like such an awesome comfort food dish. I hope you and the hubby have an awesome weekend, Dawn! P.S. Tell that bird hello for me!
Maybe so, David! Hahaha….evil woman. I know, right 😀 ? Indeed, I will. The bird has brought many friends so it’s quite entertaining to watch them. Have an awesome weekend, too!
You’re speaking my language here, girl…butter, cheese, buttery croissant crumbs!? I’ll take the whole pan! Now, do you have to kiss this cod before you eat it? ? Either way, sign me up!
Well, we speak the same language, Liz!! Sure you can 🙂 Nah, you don’t have to kiss the cod, but may have to have some Newfoundland Screech (rum), lol. Thanks so much for the comments (and the laugh) 😉
Croissant bread crumbs??? Count me IN! Pinning. 🙂
Thanks so much, Kate! And appreciate the Pin 🙂
Never heard of this dish but now, I gotta have it! And I may have to buy croissants just to make them into crumbs now 🙂 One thing we’ll never agree on though… I just don’t do cauliflower. More power to you… haha!
Love to hear how you like it if you try, Erin! No cauliflower? Oh well, no biggie 😉 We can’t all like all the same things, right? Thanks for the comments, girlie 🙂 !!
I do love au gratin anything and this recipe looks like da bomb, gurl! You know I’m on that stupid detox diet right now, which means no bread or dairy, so guess I making this in 2 weeks 😉 Yum and can’t wait!
I know, I know!! I can’t imagine no bread or dairy. Like what?! Well, hopefully, when you can try this recipe, it’ll be worth the wait ;)! Thanks Karrie! xo
I have never heard of cod au gratin but it sounds and looks absolutely amazing! Have a lovely week Dawn!
Thanks so much, Ashlyn! Appreciate the comments. Have a lovely week too 🙂
I never got a chance to taste a casserole. This looks tasty and flavirful. Hope i got a few bites
Thanks Smitha. It is pretty delicious. Perhaps you’ll get a chance to try the recipe soon 🙂
I saw fish in your pan and got so excited! I love recipes like this. This looks and sounds so good. I gotta try it!
Oh, yay!! Thanks so much, April! That makes me happy! Let me know how you like it when you try….I’d love to hear 🙂
Looks delicious! And what a great idea with croissant crumbs instead of breadcrumbs, extra buttery = extra yum! 🙂 .. and dill, and lemon, so many great flavours *drool* … Great recipe Dawn! 🙂 🙂
Thanks Serena! Agreed….extra buttery IS extra yum 😉 High five for that! Happy you like the recipe 🙂
What a delicious dish! I’m so glad you posted this because my husband and I are visiting Canada in July and have been wondering what the local cuisine is like. We are considering moving there and I’m glad you guys have such delicious food because that’s important to us. We are super excited to try some Canadian dishes and this will hopefully be one of them! 🙂
That’s so exciting, Natanja! The cuisine varies slightly over different areas of Canada and Newfoundland definitely has it’s own unique dishes, that’s for sure. Hope you do get a chance to try. Best of luck and thanks for the comments 🙂
A little cheese, a little crunchy topping and you’ve got a recipe for success. It doesn’t hurt to add some cod to balance it all out!
Thanks so much, Kathy! Cheese and breadcrumbs can make any dish awesome 🙂 Have a great week, girl!
I completely understand food cravings – I have them too and usually give in to them 😉 Cauliflower is great and so versatile! We have birds nesting in our apple tree at the moment but I have not seen any baby birds yet. Maybe a little bit later in the year. ♡
Oh, that’s so nice! Imagine when you do see the baby birds? How cute! I could just watch them all day 🙂
Dawn, you are a GENIUS. Croissant breadcrumbs might just be the best idea I have ever heard. And to answer your question about cravings, YES. Now all I can think about is what I can put croissant breadcrumbs on. So thanks for that. Now I have to go out and buy some croissants. The worst! 😉
And I had never heard of cod au gratin before! I’m not usually a cod person, but I made like this, it sounds delish!
Well, thanks so much Tracy! Can’t go wrong with croissant crumbs, can ya? I mean on their own croissants are fantastic so anything else done with them ought to be good too…well, that was my reasoning 🙂 Cod au Gratin is so popular ’round here; if you try cod in a dish like this I’m sure you will love – or at least I hope so 🙂 If not, you can totally scrape off the cheese and croissant topping and eat all of that because I know that that will be unreal, lol. Thanks for the lovely comments, Tracy. Have a great week 🙂 !
When we put a bird feed outside it was so fun to watch all the varieties of birds come by the back yard. So many cool colors and birds I never knew were in our area, too. Then with some being a little messy the seeds on the ground soon brought the attention of rodents. No bueno! The dogs would chase and dig. So buh-bye bird feeder. Can’t stand ’em! Since we have dogs and no cats to keep them at bay…. The birds still come ’round for the water fountain though to bathe and drink – even humming birds! So I get to still see my winged friends.
You and cupcakes, that was funny! This dish looks mah-velous indeed. Like your little trick with pre-baking the cod to release excess water to keep that lovely dish looking creamy. Croissant crumbs! Love it and your dill and lemon zest add. Sounds fantastic!
Ok, I know for reals what you are talking about, Kevin! We had a bird feeder once and experienced a similar thing. The birds were making a mess everywhere and pretty soon there were squirrels everywhere instead of birds. So, like yourself, bird feeder gone bye bye. The birds still come around without us having a feeder out so that’s definitely a good thing. Our little furry child loves watching the birds, too. He doesn’t bark at them or anything, just watches in amazement, or that’s what I like to think he is doing 😉
Happy you like the recipe. My little tricks have come along way since first making the dish, that’s for sure, and I pretty much only use frozen cod for cod au gratin. Hope you get to try soon and love to hear what you think of it 🙂 Thanks for the wonderful comments, as usual 🙂 !!
We have tons of birds too, Dawn! And deer.. and rabbits. Sitting out on the deck and watching all the animals is one of my favorite things to do on the weekend… with a cocktail or two of course! 😉 I think you saying you have a mad craving for cauliflower is the coolest thing ever!! So tell your hubby he is wrong. hahaha!! Anyways, speaking of cool – umm this au gratin is BOMB!! I love au gratins, but I’ve never had a cod au gratin!! Where the heck has this been all my life!! LOVING IT!! I could eat the whole casserole dish of this cheesy beauty! Gimme Gimme! Cheers, sweets!! xo
Wow! So awesome, Cheyanne! We don’t have any deer, but have seen some rabbits and, occasionally, a fox. Totally with ya with a cocktail or two…have to stay hydrated, don’t ya 😉 ? Well, thanks…glad you think it’s cool and I just told hubby that you said he was mistaken, lol. You have to come to Newfoundland and try some! It’s pretty much everywhere here. Thanks for the sweet comments, friend. Appreciate it bunches! xo
I am with you, girlfriend! Au Gratin anything is always a good thing!! We love cod in our house – so this will be a nice addition to our fish dinners! Thank you, sweets!
I know, right? How can you go wrong with cheese? Oh, awesome, Annie…hope you enjoy it 🙂 Thanks so much for the comments, girl! Have a great week!
LOL.. I crave cauliflower too.. it’s ok. We can both be uncool.
I love love love vegetable korma.. I’ll have to try making cauliflower rice!
Also- this looks amazing. And croissant crumbs?!?! yummmm
Sounds good, girl! It was my first time actually making veg korma (though I’ve eaten it a bunch) and both hubby and I LOVED it! Yes, do try that cauliflower rice….it’s awesome! Thanks so much for the comments, Sarah 🙂
So glad you enjoyed your weekend Dawn! This dish is PERFECT for the weather we’ve been having lately. It’s been just a little chilly, so this dish would absolutely warm me up! Love the addition of the dill. Need to try this one for sure!
Thanks so much, Mary Ann! It’s definitely a comfort food dish! I love the dill, too, and the lemon really comes through. Hope you enjoy!! Love to hear how you do. Have a fantastic week 🙂
Birds and the sun is shining? Loving it. 🙂 Also, how adorable is it that you have a visiting bird friend? How long until you name him? Any ideas to toss around yet? 😉 How about Stuart?
Omg, cauliflower really is delish, though! So I think you’re the COOLEST. Lol. Also, cauliflower popcorn. Amiright? Cauliflower rice sounds delish.
Wow, those 5 year olds sure are talented in the kitchen in Newfoundland! 😉 Meanwhile, that croissant crumb top looks so perfectly scrumptious… I can barely stand it. Wow! Can you make a potato version? Pretty please!! 🙂 Have a great week, my dear. Pinning, of course!
Me too 🙂 Bring on the Summer, right?! Oh my goodness…Stuart sounds adorable. I think he looks like a Stuart…so Stuart it is 😉 ! And how about buffalo sauce cauliflower? Yum! Hahaha…I know, they start quite young cooking, lol. Perhaps I may have to try a potato version or maybe a cauliflower one-oh the possibilities, but then, again the cheese baked on top would probably make a shoe taste good 😀 Thanks for the sweet comments, as usual, and the Pin. Have a great week too, Demeter 🙂
Aw, can’t wait to see pics of Stuart! 🙂 🙂
Buffalo sauce cauliflower sounds AMAZING!! Okay, you have to DM when you post it–I’ll need to share it vigorously. 😉 If you do add potatoes or do a potato version, I’ll just have to hop on a train to you and I’ll be bringing a ginormous appetite.
NEW LOGO: OMG!!! It’s so beautiful!! I <3 it Dawn!! Can't wait to see it everywhere. 🙂
I’ll have to try to snap a pic of him soon, Demeter 😉 Now, I’m totally craving cauliflower again, lol. Thanks for that 😀 😀 😀 !! So happy you like the logo! I’m pretty excited about it and couldn’t wait to get it up there! Woo hoo! Have a great weekend, girl! Long one for us here and the weekend is looking beautiful. Yay!
We actually did have a bird’s nest under our deck. . it was amazing. . we saw the eggs and then the hatched birds and my kids even got to watch the momma bird feeding the babies one day! I am also obsessed with cauliflower right now. . LOVE this cod au gratin!!What a great idea with the cod! I love this!
Oh, wow! That sounds amazing! What a lovely experience for them (and you). Happy you love the recipe and get a chance to try it 🙂 Thanks for the lovely comments and have a great week, Alice!
Sounds like you had a great weekend, Dawn! It was sunny, but cool yesterday here too…so I’m hoping this week warms up! And I get the strangest cravings too. Cauliflower is such a good one to have though…could be a lot worse, right? 🙂 This cod au gratin looks SO good! My husband and I make salmon a lot, so I’m loving this cod dish. Sounds perfect for dinner, especially with those croissants on top! Such a great idea! Pinned, of course! Hope your week is off to a great start!
I did, Gayle…hopefully this weekend will be just as nice! I don’t even mind if it is cooler, as long as the sun is shining! Fingers crossed. I agree, I could have worse cravings….least it’s a veggie! Thanks so much; it really is a popular dish around here so I’ve definitely eaten my fair share, that’s for sure! Thanks for the Pin! Much appreciated, girl 🙂 Hope you have an awesome week too!