Boston Baked Cod (Printable)
Golden-browned cod fillets topped with buttery breadcrumbs, Dijon and lemon for a light New England main in 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish & Topping
01 - 4 fresh cod fillets, approximately 6 ounces each
02 - 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
03 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Flavor & Garnish
08 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
10 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to fit the cod fillets side by side.
02 - Place cod fillets into the prepared baking dish. Drizzle lemon juice evenly over the fish and spread Dijon mustard over the top of each fillet.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine fresh breadcrumbs, melted butter, chopped parsley, paprika, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until breadcrumbs are uniformly moistened.
04 - Distribute the breadcrumb mixture over each cod fillet, pressing gently to ensure the topping adheres.
05 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the cod turns opaque, flakes easily with a fork, and the topping is golden brown.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges for squeezing over the fish.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This dish delivers gourmet flavor with minimal effort and cleanup—an absolute weeknight winner.
- The crunchy breadcrumb topping and bright lemon notes make each bite unexpectedly satisfying.
02 -
- I once crowded the fillets in a smaller dish and learned the topping steams instead of crisps.
- Mixing the melted butter with the crumbs by hand, rather than a spoon, really ensures an even, crunchy topping.
03 -
- If your cod releases lots of liquid, tilt the dish and spoon out excess halfway through baking.
- A subtle rub of garlic on the dish's bottom infuses aroma without overpowering the fish.