Make this flavor-packed baked cod in foil with just 5 minutes of prep. Filled with cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon for a fish-potatoes-and-sauce-dinner all in one. The secret to not overcooking the fish? Use frozen cod.
Fish + Potatoes + Sauce All in One!
This dish is total nostalgia for me. As a kid, my mom would always make a similar version whenever I was sick and just starting to feel better. She'd also add dill, and no potatoes, and serve it over rice.
It was delicious then, and it's delicious now.
I love simplicity but don't love dill, so I skipped the latter and added potatoes to make it a complete meal. And what a meal!
It's all done in 35 minutes with just 5 minutes of prep, and you just need to layer and bake. I use frozen cod to ensure it doesn't overcook, but this also means you don't even have to plan ahead!
The result is a juicy flavor-packed dish that's delicious on its own, and can also be served over rice or with a nice piece of bread.
And clean-up? Almost non-existent. You can even serve it in the foil you baked it in!
"I thoroughly enjoyed this meal and will definitely cook it again and again in the future. I think it lends itself to variations. Loved it!" - Gillian
Fish, Potatoes, Veggies & Some Seasoning
A Note on Potatoes
To ensure the potatoes are done before the cod is overcooked, you need to be careful about choosing your potatoes. New potatoes will cook much quicker than older ones, so I recommend you use those if they are in season.
If you don't have new potatoes, you need to slice them really thin - ¼ inch or even thinner.
You can also make the packages without potatoes, and serve with a side of boiled potatoes or rice.
Why Use Frozen Cod?
The main reason for using frozen cod is that it will cook slower, so there's less risk of it overcooking before the potatoes are done.
Using frozen cod also means it's easier and you don't need to plan ahead - always a winner in my book!
If you have a whole block of cod instead of individual pieces, let it thaw just enough so you can cut it into smaller pieces.
You can also use another type of white fish like haddock, bass or tilapia.
Just Pack It up and Bake!
This recipe is so easy. Just layer everything on a piece of foil, pack it up, and cook until done.
To check if the fish and potatoes are done, use a cake tester and stick it into the package without opening it. This way you don't need to open the package to test it. It's done when both are tender and the cake tester easily slides through.
You can also make it on the grill. It will cook in about the same time.
Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions
Storing leftovers: This dish is best eaten just after it's cooked but you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing leftovers: I don't recommend freezing leftovers.
Reheating: To reheat, place the whole package in the oven and reheat 10-15 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
More Quick & Easy One-Pan Dinners
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- Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms25 Minutes
- Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Veggies - a sheet pan meal [gluten free]50 Minutes
- Salmon Stew30 Minutes
- Creamy Pesto Pasta10 Minutes
- Gorgonzola Gnocchi with Cream Sauce & Walnuts20 Minutes
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Recipe
Baked Cod in Foil with Tomatoes, Potatoes & Lemon
Print RateIngredients
- 2 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 4 medium-sized new potatoes sliced thin
- 1 large tomato sliced
- 1 lemon juice of
- ½ lemon washed and sliced
- ⅔ lb frozen cod or another type of white fish fillet like haddock, bass or tilapia
- 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes or fine table salt in half the amount
- fresh ground black pepper
- 10 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Set the oven for 440°F (225°C).
- Place two sheets of aluminium foil on top of each other, positioned at 90 degrees to each other. Create another setup just like it next to it.
- Add the butter in pieces to the two packets, followed by slices of potato, tomato and lemon.2 tablespoon butter, 4 medium-sized new potatoes, 1 large tomato, ½ lemon
- Top with cod filets and squeeze over the lemon juice. Season with sea salt flakes and fresh ground black pepper. Top with basil leaves.⅔ lb frozen cod, 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes, fresh ground black pepper, 10 fresh basil leaves, 1 lemon
- Fold the ends of the aluminium foil over the fish to create a well-sealed package.
- Place the foil packets on a sheet pan or in another type of oven safe dish and cook in the middle of the oven for 25 min. After 25 min, take them out and let sit for 5 min. Serve in the packet!
Video
Notes
- Fresh basil: Can be omitted or switched for other fresh herbs like thyme, tarragon, dill or parsley. You can also use dried herbs.
- Potatoes: Use new potatoes to ensure they're done after 25 minutes. If you have older potatoes, slice them really thin instead. You can also skip potatoes and serve with rice or potatoes on the side.
- Slice the potatoes thin to make sure they cook through.
- Do use frozen cod. This is the best way to ensure it's not overcooked and done in about the same time as the potatoes.
- Make it on the grill instead and it will cook in about the same time.
- Make it dairy-free by using olive oil instead of butter.
- This dish is best eaten just after it's cooked, but you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Storing leftovers: This dish is best eaten just after it's cooked but you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Freezing leftovers: I don't recommend freezing leftovers.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the whole package in the oven and reheat 10-15 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Gillian
A fast and very tastey meal with very little effort. I didn't have lemons so used lemon juice over the top. I didn't have basil so used dill. I thoroughly enjoyed this meal and will definately cook it again and again in the future. I think it lends itself to variations. Loved it!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Gillian! Thank you so much for your comment. It sure can be varied in so many ways, just use whatever you have. /Emmeline
Rick
Recipe is OK; it's the same as many others but I doubt that most of the people who rated it were making it. The problem is that potatoes will come uncooked. I used Yellow Idaho, cut them 1/8" and they come almost raw after 25 min. Sorry!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Rick, sorry to hear that! I have tried this recipe many times and with several different types of potatoes and they have always been cooked through. I haven't tried Yellow Idaho specifically so I would assume it's the type of potato that's the reason. Can't get them were I live so unfortunately I can't try it myself. /Emmeline
Julia Carter
Its a lovely flavour, but agree about potato's. I sliced my new potato's super thin, they were still not cooked through and I gave the recipe an extra 5 mins. I think this could be simply sorted by a recommendation to par boil the potato's first. I added garlic, and wish I had added a little more salt. I will cook but with the above adjustments.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Julia! Sorry your potatoes weren't cooked through. Haven't had this problem myself, but I know other readers have commented about this. If parboiling the potatoes I would be concerned about them overcooking instead. Now with summer approaching I woul recommend trying it with new potatoes, they cook much faster! /Emmeline
Patricia
My first of your recipes but definitely not the last!
Thank you - no more battered cod for us!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you for the rating, Patricia! So happy to hear that you enjoyed it!
Carrie Robinson
I just love foil packet dinner recipes! So easy to make & clean-up is super fast too. 🙂
Emmeline Kemperyd
Same here! Can't beat minimal cleanup 😉
Irina
Agree with previous comments that potatoes are undercooked. I had to keep them in the oven additional 20 min. I used yellow russet potatoes. Maybe it's all about the power of each individual oven
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Irina, the trick is to use new potatoes for it to finish in that short amount of time. /Emmeline
Erika
I love cod! These flavors sound so amazing. What a great, light dinner idea!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you, Erika!
Kathryn Donangelo
We love cod and this made such a perfect dinner, love how it's cooked in foil for extra moisture!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you, Kathryn!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
So delicious! Thank you for this amazing recipe!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you Shadi, so happy you liked it!!
Ashley
This smells incredible!!! Our garden provided all the produce for this recipe, and I had a few pieces of cod in the freezer!! Lunch is baking and I can't wait to eat it!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Oh you are so lucky!! I wish I had a garden like that! Hope you found the taste just as good as the smell! 😀
Pedro
I love cod...and the recipe....yum. Not only dies it look really delicious but it seems ver healthy too. What an awesome combination!! Thanks for sharing 😀
Emmeline
Thank you, Pedro! Yep the holy trinity in my book - healthy, delicious & easy to make!
Bindu Thomas
This looks extremely delicious and healthy. It sounds easy to prepare. I am going to try this today.
Emmeline
Thank you Bindu!
Presiii
It looks yummy. usually try this with skinless salmon. But will definitely try cod next time.
Emmeline
Thank you so much! Mm skinless salmon would be delicious as well! I might try it your way next time 😉
Preet
Wow, I love this recipe it is so delicious and look so easy to prepare. I will def try to make this for the whole family.
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting! Let me know what they think 😀
Stephanie Jeannot
Now the fact that I just got salmon to cook this week and you have this recipe. Thank you. I can’t wait to try this.
Emmeline
Thank you, Stephanie! Yeah this would be sooo good with salmon as well!
Lauren
This sounds so delicious! I just forwarded this recipe to my mom. She’s going to want to make this right away! Yummy!
Emmeline
Thank you Lauren! Hope she likes it! 😀
Megan
Oooh yum! I'm not normally a fish person but this is definitely tempting.
Emmeline
Thank you, Megan! You can just have the sauce and give someone else the fish - the sauce with some bread to dip in or over rice is amaaazing!
Christa
Codmisnmy husband’s favorite. I’ll have to make this recipe for him. He’ll love it!
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting Christa! Oh then I'm sure he will! Let me know how it turns out! 😀
Amanda
I used frozen fillets but they were still frozen after the 25min. This dish took an hour to cook before the fish was at temp! Good flavor, but not quick as described.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Amanda! Sorry to hear that. Never had a problem with the fish not finishing in time, usually if anything the fish is done before the potatoes. How big were your fish fillets? /Emmeline
Angela Ricardo Bethea
I want to try something and I found this. Will give this a try this weekend!
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting, Angela! Let me know how it turns out!
Erica ~ Erica Ever After
This sounds amazing! I'll have to try it.... I know my gf would love it
Elizabeth O
looks so good and healthy! thank you sharing such recipe.
Emmeline
Thank you so much Elizabeth! Love a good healthy delicious meal 🙂
Taryn
I love cod, and I never thought to pair tomatoes and potatoes. Looks like a yummy dish!
Emmeline
Thank you, Taryn! The tomato gives such a great taste to the saue and well potatoes are delicious?? 😉
Czjai Reyes-Ocampo
I love easy to prepare, healthy dishes like these! Love the combination of flavors on this one! 🙂
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting! Same here!
Nancy Johnson Horn
This looks so good and healthy! I love a tasty and easy dish for dinner! Yum!
Emmeline
Thank you, Nancy! Tasty, easy and healthy wins in my house as well! 😀
Sydney
This looks so delicious and healthy, and it's great that it's easy too! I'll have to try it out.
Emmeline
Thank you, Sydney! Hope you like it! 😀
Bree
YUM! I love cod and I am a big fan of foil packet dinners so this is a winner! I can't wait to try it out!
Emmeline
Thank you Bree! Hope you like it!