Description
Savory cod dances with ripe tomatoes in this Mediterranean-inspired easy tomato cod pasta delight. Quick weeknight meals never tasted so fresh, promising a simple yet elegant dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) fresh cod fillets
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti or linguine
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 can (14 ounces/400 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish Ingredients:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a generous pot of salted water and cook the pasta until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully extract 1 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining the noodles.
- Season cod fillets with salt and pepper, then carefully sear in a hot skillet with olive oil for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a golden exterior and fully cooked interior. Transfer fish to a separate plate.
- Using the identical skillet, gently sauté diced onions until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional minute.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet, incorporating oregano and optional red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and develop flavors for 5-7 minutes.
- Delicately break the cod into rustic bite-sized fragments and reintroduce to the simmering tomato sauce. Fold the drained pasta into the mixture, using reserved cooking liquid to create a silky, cohesive texture.
- Artfully plate the pasta, adorning with freshly torn basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Swap cod for other mild white fish like halibut or tilapia for variety and personal preference.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe celiac-friendly and accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Add a splash of white wine to the tomato sauce for deeper, more complex flavor profile.
- Pat cod fillets dry before seasoning to ensure perfect golden sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg