Baked Cod in Cream Sauce

4.91 from 106 votes
165 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.

This baked cod is light and flaky, with a savory creamy sauce that puts this dish over the top. It’s hands-down, my favorite fish dish and it turns out perfectly every time.

Baking dish with five pieces of Baked Cod in Cream Sauce garnished with parsley.
Featured with this recipe
  1. How to Make Baked Cod
  2. How to Buy Fish
  3. Substitutions for Cod
  4. How to Know When Cod is Done
  5. Frequently Asked Questions about Baked Cod
  6. What to Serve with Baked Cod
  7. Baked Cod in Cream Sauce Recipe

Fish is often overlooked when planning dinner, though I have no idea why. When prepared well, fish is incredibly delicious! This cod dish in particular is always a hit, even with my kids! It pairs well with rice and potato side dishes or even just a green salad. What I love about this baked cod is that because it is baked in a bream sauce, it loses all traces of fishiness. You get perfectly flaky cod filets every time and the cream sauce kicks up the flavor to the next level. Even my pickiest eaters love it!

How to Make Baked Cod

This is one of the best baked cod recipes I’ve ever had. And it’s easy to make, with easy to find ingredients. Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: First, preheat the oven to 400-degrees F. Prepare the cream sauce by making a roux out of butter and cornstarch. Then add parmesan cheese, cream, and milk to make a flavorful béchamel sauce.

Step 2: Spray a baking dish with cooking spray then add fish and season with salt.

Brushing butter on top of cod fish.


Step 3: Melt some butter and garlic together and brush it over the fish. Sprinkle each fillet with seasoned breadcrumbs then add any remaining melted butter over the top. This will help bake all that buttery flavor into the fish.

Step 4: Add the cream sauce to the dish until it is filled almost to the top with. Only the tops of the fish will be showing.

Baking dish with five fillets of Cod in Cream Sauce.

Step 5: Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes of until the cream is bubbling. Next, set oven to “broil” and broil for about 3-5 minutes or until the fillets start to turn golden brown and the creamy mixture darkens over the top. I always watch it constantly so it doesn’t burn. Remove from the oven and check the internal temperature. It should be 145-degrees F and flake easily when pulled apart with a fork.

Plate of Baked Cod in Cream Sauce served with green beans and lemon wedges.

How to Buy Fish

About ten years ago, I took a cooking class from a renowned chef in Salt Lake City. The entire class was all about how to cook fish. I will never forget his excellent pointers on how to find and buy the best fish. For instance, if you must buy fish from a grocery store (rather than a fresh fish market), always buy it FROZEN.

Don’t buy the fish that has already been thawed and sitting in the case. If you go home and put the fish in the freezer for later, the fish for later, the fish will be frozen twice. That is not ideal. When you request fish at the seafood counter, ask them to wrap up fish that is still frozen. Or, to simplify things, just buy the frozen cod loin at Costco. It’s delicious!

Ingredients to make Baked Cod in Cream Sauce including cod, butter, cream, milk, salt, bread crumbs, flour, garlic and parmesan cheese.

Substitutions for Cod

For this recipe, you can use any kind of mild white fish, not just cod. I have used Halibut, tilapia, and mahi mahi, and they all work great! Just be sure that when you are cooking them, check for doneness. Tilapia will typically cook faster than, say, halibut because it is usually not as thick of a cut. Using an “in season” fish will make you happy every time! Click this fresh fish availability chart to see which fresh fish is in season any month of the year.

Plate with two fillets of Baked Cod in Cream Sauce with green beans and lemon wedges.

How to Know When Cod is Done

Knowing when cod is done in the oven is essential to ensure it’s cooked perfectly. Here’s how you can tell:

  1. Check the Color: Cod goes from translucent to opaque as it cooks. When it’s fully cooked, the flesh turns white and easily flakes with a fork. The center should not be translucent, and it should have a consistent color throughout.
  2. Internal Temperature: You can use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the cod. It’s done when the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
  3. Flaking: Gently insert a fork into the thickest part of the cod fillet and twist it slightly. If the fish flakes easily and the flakes are opaque, it’s done.
  4. Texture: When you touch the cod with a fork, it should be firm but still moist. Overcooked cod can become dry and tough, so be cautious not to leave it in the oven too long.

Remember that the cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the cod fillets and the oven temperature, so it’s important to monitor it closely, especially the first time you cook it in your oven.

Frequently Asked Questions about Baked Cod

Can I reheat cod leftovers?

Yes, if done correctly. The best way I have found to re-heat fish is to put it in a frying pan with a lid and bring it up to temperature on the stove (slowly). Fish does NOT re-heat well in the microwave!

Do you flip cod when baking?

No, you shouldn’t need to flip the cod while it’s baking in the oven. In fact, the fish may flake and fall apart if you try to turn it while baking.

READ MORE: 35+ Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

What to Serve with Baked Cod

You can never go wrong with steamed veggies or a simple side of rice when it comes to any kind of fish. For this dish, specifically, here are a few of our favorite side dishes:

Baking dish with five pieces of Baked Cod in Cream Sauce garnished with parsley.

Baked Cod in Cream Sauce

4.91 from 106 votes
This baked cod is hands-down, my favorite fish dish. It turns out perfectly flaky every time. The flavorful, creamy sauce puts it over the top!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Seafood
Servings 6

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

For the cream sauce:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400-degrees. 
    Prepare cream sauce (see instructions below) and set aside, keeping warm.
    Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Pat fish dry with a paper towel if needed and place cod fillets in the dish. Sprinkle with salt. 
    Baked Cod in Cream Sauce ingredients including cod, butter, milk, cream, salt, parmesan cheese, garlic, corn starch and Italian bread crumbs.
  • Combine melted butter and garlic and brush over fillets, reserving any leftover butter mixture. 
    Hand brushing butter on a fillet of cod for Baked Cod in Cream Sauce.
  • Sprinkle seasoned breadcrumbs over fillets and pour remaining butter mixture over the top.
    Baking dish with five uncooked fillets of Cod topped with bread crumbs and butter without the cream sauce.
  • Pour cream sauce in the spaces between the cod fillets so it fills up the baking dish and just the tops of the fillets are visible. 
    Baking dish with five fillets of Cod in Cream Sauce.
  • Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cream sauce starts bubbling. 
    When the sauce starts bubbling up, set oven to "broil" and broil for about 3-5 minutes or until the fillets start to turn golden brown. 
    Keep a CLOSE eye on it to make sure it doesn't start to burn. 
    The internal temperature of the fish should be 145-degrees F and should flake easily when pulled apart with a fork.
    Baking dish with five fillets of Baked Cod in Cream Sauce.
  • Remove from oven and serve with potatoes, rice, or vegetables. 
    Plate with two fillets of Baked Cod in Cream Sauce with green beans and lemon wedges.

For the cream sauce:

  • Melt butter in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium heat.
    Pan of butter melting for cream sauce for Baked Cod.
  • Slowly add the cornstarch and stir for about 1 minute. 
    Whisk mixing a pan of roux for Cream Sauce for Baked Cod.
  • While whisking constantly, slowly add whipping cream and milk until well combined. Stir in Parmesan cheese. 
    Whisk mixing a pot of Cream Sauce with parmesan cheese for Baked Cod.
  • Reduce heat to low and whisk occasionally for about 10 minutes until sauce becomes rich and creamy, adding more milk, if needed. You want it to be the consistency of a thin gravy. 
    Season with salt and pepper, to taste. 
    Pot of Cream Sauce for Baked Cod.

Notes

  • Don’t buy the fish that has already been thawed and sitting in the case. If you go home and put the fish in the freezer for later, the fish for later, the fish will be frozen twice. That is not ideal. When you request fish at the seafood counter, ask them to wrap up fish that is still frozen. Or, to simplify things, just buy the frozen cod loin at Costco. It’s delicious!
  • Re-heat fish in a frying pan with a lid and bring it up to temperature on the stove (slowly). Fish does NOT re-heat well in the microwave! It will turn rubbery, so avoid the microwave.
  • You shouldn’t need to flip the fish during baking. Fish that has been baked may flake apart easily and fall apart if you try to turn it.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 531kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 41gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 764mgPotassium: 707mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 795IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 216mgIron: 2mg

Love this recipe?

We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.

Rate and Review



Share This With the World

PinYummly

About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

More about Erica Walker
4.91 from 106 votes (42 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How many stars would you give this recipe?




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This cod recipe is unbelievably delicious. The sauce is so light, airy and full of flavor. The cod marries perfectly with all the ingredients. The only thing I did differently was added some mushrooms that needed using. I don’t think there could ever be enough of this dish!!

  2. 5 stars
    I made this recipe which was my first time eating Cod. It was the best baked fish I have ever eaten. I have been boasting of this dish since. I almost want to say I don’t know if I like it more than Salmon and I love salmon.

  3. 5 stars
    Hi, love this recipe and was a hit with the family! Just wondering if it can be made ahead and frozen, need to take some meals to a friend having surgery.
    Thanks!

See More Comments