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    Home » Easy Dinner Recipes » Pesto Cod Recipe (just 4 ingredients)

    Pesto Cod Recipe (just 4 ingredients)

    July 15, 2020 By Dawn - Girl Heart Food 8 Comments

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    Cod fillets with pesto and garnished with grated parmesan and basil.

    Light, flavourful and made with just 4 ingredients, this pesto cod recipe is an easy seafood dinner on the table in well under 30 minutes. Sure to be a favourite, it makes for a simple weekday dinner or can be fancy enough for entertaining with family and friends!

    Four pieces of pesto cod on a dark blue plate surrounded by fresh herbs.

    Hi friends!

    If you’re like me, in the middle of summer you want fuss-free meals that require very little of your time but still have all the flavour.

    Well, this pesto cod recipe delivers!

    Since fresh cod is so plentiful around here this time of year, I knew I had to make something with it.

    Cod is something that hubby and I enjoy on the regular, from oven-baked cod to pan-fried cod to crispy fish burgers it’s always a favourite.

    This recipe for cod pairs wonderfully with smashed baby potatoes. Throw in some vino and perhaps a simple dessert and you’re set for one tasty meal!

    Four pieces of uncooked cod on a blue plate.

    Why We Love Pesto Cod

    • It requires 5 minutes of prep time
    • Not including optional garnish, it’s made with just 4 ingredients: cod, salt, pepper and pesto
    • Made on one sheet pan for easy cleanup
    • Of course, it tastes delicious!

    How to Make It

    Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

    1. Pat cod fillets dry with a paper towel and place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
    2. Sprinkle with some salt and pepper.
    3. Spread a generous spoonful of pesto over the top of the fillets.
    4. Bake until everything is cooked through. That’s it!
    Collage of steps to make pesto topped cod.

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    Spatula scooping up a pesto covered cod fillet from a parchment paper lined sheet pan.

    Can I Use Frozen Cod?

    I prefer fresh cod here as I find frozen has a lot more moisture (water) after being frozen and thawed.

    However, having said that, if you do have frozen on hand, you can use it in this recipe.

    Just thaw before use.

    Close-up of pesto cod fillet garnished with basil and parmesan.

    What Type of Pesto Should I Use?

    I opted for a store-bought sun-dried tomato pesto. Sun-dried tomatoes are super tasty and the colour pops, especially if you garnish with basil.

    Regular basil pesto would work lovely, too, or even more homemade arugula pesto.

    Forkful of oven-baked cod with pesto on top.

    More Tips and Variations

    Pat your fish dry of excess moisture with a paper towel before seasoning.

    Just a little salt and pepper was used on the cod as the pesto itself is seasoned. If you prefer a little more, go for it.

    Cook time may vary, depending on how thick your pieces are. Just bake until it’s cooked through, is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. If you think it’s done, check on it; if it’s not, no biggie. Continue baking.

    When removing your cod from the sheet pan, use a large spatula and be gentle. Cod is super delicate.

    Make It A Meal

    Any of these easy sides would pair beautifully with this pesto fish:

    • Garlicky Green Beans
    • Celeriac Puree
    • Mashed Parsnip
    • Mixed Green Salad
    • Pesto Pasta Salad
    Close-up of overhead shot of a piece of oven-baked pesto cod on a dark plate.

    More Easy Cod Recipes

    • Fish Fajitas
    • Fish Stew
    • Cod au Gratin

    Hope you love this pesto cod recipe as much as we do!

    If you make this oven baked cod recipe, please leave a comment below. Love to hear how you enjoyed it.

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    Dark blue plate with four pieces of pesto cod garnisheed with basil and grated parmesan.

    Pesto Cod (just 4 simple ingredients)

    Dawn – Girl Heart Food
    Light, flavourful and made with just 4 ingredients, this pesto cod recipe is an easy seafood dinner on the table in well under 30 minutes. Sure to be a favourite, it makes for a simple weekday dinner or can be fancy enough for entertaining with family and friends!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 18 mins
    Total Time 23 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Canadian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 150 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ¼ pounds boneless and skinless cod fillets or loins (four (5 ounce) pieces)
    • ⅓ cup sun-dried tomato pesto (or your favourite variety)
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • Grated Parmesan cheese (garnish, optional)
    • Chopped fresh basil or parsley (garnish, optional)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
    • Pat cod dry of excess moisture with a paper towel. Place cod onto prepared baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
    • Distribute pesto over top (about 1 heaping tablespoon per piece) and bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until cod is cooked through, is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Garnish, if desired, with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil and/or parsley. Enjoy!
      Note: Cook time can vary, depending on the thickness of your fish. My pieces were good at the 17 minute mark.

    Notes

    • Pat your fish dry of excess moisture with a paper towel before seasoning.
    • Cook time may vary, depending on how thick your pieces are. Just bake until it’s cooked through, is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. If you think it’s done, check on it; if it’s not, no biggie. Continue baking.
    • When removing your cod from the sheet pan, use a large spatula and be gentle. Cod is super delicate.

    Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)

    Calories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 26gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 412mgPotassium: 585mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 190IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.

    Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.

    Keyword cod with pesto, easy cod recipe, easy seafood recipe, oven baked cod
    Tried this recipe? Snap a pic!Mention @dawn.girlheartfood or tag #girlheartfood

    © Girl Heart Food.  All images and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. Please do not use any images without prior permission.  Please do not republish this recipe.  If you want to reference this recipe, link directly back to this post. Thank you.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers

      July 16, 2020 at 11:35 am

      5 stars
      I have always enjoyed cod, though it’s not quite so plentiful here in the middle of the country. Still easy to get though, so I can’t wait to try this. Looks like a great Summer meal 🙂

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        July 21, 2020 at 9:32 am

        Hope you enjoy, Jennifer! Thanks!

        Reply
    2. David @ Spiced

      July 16, 2020 at 9:25 am

      5 stars
      What a tasty (and healthy) summer meal, Dawn! I love white fish of all kinds, so I’m on board with the cod for sure. And then that sun-dried tomato pesto? Holy cow, that looks so flavorful! I’m thinking this plus a nice bottle of white would make for a good evening on the back deck. 🙂

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        July 21, 2020 at 9:32 am

        I like the way you think. 😉 Thanks David!

        Reply
    3. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

      July 15, 2020 at 10:16 pm

      Perfect summer recipe Dawn! We enjoy fish often during the summer months and this one looks super easy and really tasty. Pinned!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        July 21, 2020 at 9:32 am

        Totally! Thanks Mary Ann!

        Reply
    4. Shashi

      July 15, 2020 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      Oh Dawn – summer is for quick recipes like this! And love that it’s ONLY 4 ingredients yet filled with so much flavor! It’s been ages since I had cod-we have been getting frozen salmon And Mahi Mahi a lot recently (someone told me all fresh fish has been frozen so best to get it frozen – not sure how true this is?)- this weekend I gotta add cod to my list and try this out!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        July 21, 2020 at 9:32 am

        Yes! I think so too! Hope you enjoy this one, Shashi.

        Reply

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    Hi and welcome to Girl Heart Food! I’m Dawn and I’m so happy you stopped by. I LOVE to cook and share my recipes. I’m obsessed with cheese, fresh veggies and homemade nut butters. Being in the kitchen is my happy place. Hope you find something that inspires you to get into the kitchen too.

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