Baked Cod Puttanesca is such a quick and easy recipe we’re almost embarrassed to post it. But we found the dish so delicious, we just had to share. Picture this, cod fillets bake on a bed of a spicy tomato sauce that’s boosted in flavor with kalamata olives, capers, anchovies, and red pepper flakes.
Baked seafood an easy meal
There are so many types of seafood that you can bake. We like using cod fish because it’s reasonably priced. When you think of cod, how do you think of preparing it? Fried, right?!
Okay, to be honest, it’s delicious fried (isn’t everything?), but we enjoy baked cod just as well.
We’ve made Baked Cod Puttanesca, no less than five times in the past two months. Believe me; we’re still not tired of it!
We don’t know why we never thought of making the cod with a puttanesca sauce before now!
Baked cod shortcut
The shortcut we use for our baked cod is to start off with homemade marinara sauce. When we make marinara sauce, we make a LOT of it.
We freeze it in quart containers, and although it’s great by itself, it’s a fantastic springboard for other recipes. We’ll be posting our marinara recipe soon and additional sauces you can make with it.
Now, if you don’t have any tomato sauce made up, use your favorite jar variety. I won’t judge. I’ll admit to opening up a jar or two in a pinch. ?
Add ingredients to sauce
In a pan, sauté some anchovy in a little olive oil. Now, don’t turn up your nose at anchovies. You can’t taste them, and it gives the sauce a deeper flavor. In fact, the anchovies melt away in the oil.
Next, you add a few red pepper flakes to the oil and after about 30 seconds pour in your prepared tomato sauce. Once the sauce warms up, add the sliced Kalamata olives, and capers to the pan.
Pour the sauce into an oven-proof glass dish. We preheat the oven to 400 °F.
Prepare the cod for baking
Before seasoning the fish, blot the cod with paper towels to get some moisture out of the fillets. Baste the cod with olive oil, then salt and pepper to both sides of the fillets (q b – quanto basta).
Arrange the fillets on top of the sauce then transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake until the fish cooks, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Top the fish with the puttanesca sauce. Be sure to have some Pugliese bread or our ciabatta; you’ll need a scarpetta (bread slice) for soaking up the sauce.
You can serve the baked fish over pasta but we’ve also served it over farro, or even just with toasted artisan bread on the side.
Believe me; your family won’t complain when they get a taste of this delicious baked cod puttanesca.
Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto è alla prossima.
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Baked Cod Puttanesca | Seafood with an Italian Spicy Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets (about 1 1/2 inches thick 6 ounces each.
- 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil + a little more basting the cod
- 3 anchovy fillets
- 3 cups prepared homemade marinara sauce or your favorite jarred marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives halved
- 2 Tablespoons capers rinsed in cold water
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes or more if you like it spicier
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- Optional: 4 1-inch-thick slices ciabatta bread brushed with olive oil and baked in oven until golden brown 10 minutes.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the anchovies and cook, stirring often, until the anchovies break down, about 2 minutes. Add the pepper flakes and continue to stir.
- Pour in the prepared marinara sauce and heat to a simmer. Add the olives and capers and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Prepare the cod by using paper towels to blot the excess moisture from the fillets. Brush the fillets on both sides with olive oil. Season the fish with salt and pepper.
- Pour the sauce in a glass oven proof casserole and place the fish on top of the sauce. Spoon a little bit of sauce over the fish.
- Transfer the casserole to the oven and bake until the fish is just cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. ** see notes.
- Serve with pasta, farro, or bread topped with the fish and puttanesca sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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Annette Ewanich says
This was a great recipe. I adapted with a good quality black sole, and cooked the fish on a bed of Zoodles. Skipping the olives as my family is not a fan and dbl. the capers!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Annette! Thank you so much for letting us know you liked the recipe. Hubby loves capers and olive combination. And zoodles are one of our favorites. In fact, we like them so much everytime we buy zucchini, have 3 little ones in the fridge, that’s the way we make them. Have a great weekend!! xoxo
Claudia Lamascolo says
oh I just adore this sauce. I love the olives in it and I have used shrimp never thought to make it with cod. I will be trying this over the next few days it sounds heavenly my mom and dad would have gone nuts over this too if they were still around. God Bless thanks for this one
Denise says
This is such a good idea! I don’t eat enough fish because I’m always at a loss as to how to prepare it. I love olives and capers so this is my kind of dish. Can’t wait to try it!
Jolina says
This looks sooo delicious Marisa! We usually default to salmon when it comes to fish but I think that should change! Cod with the puttanesca sauce is perfect together.
Gloria says
Looks delicious. I LOVE puttanesca sauce. This is the perfect dinner for entertaining with. Add a nice glass (or two) of white wine…and ENJOY!! I can eat pasta every day!!
Swathi says
You made cod so tasty. They don’t like to take up spices while making the curries so I make only fries with coated spice. Your recipe is so easy to put together. I am going to try as I can try new way of using up my cod fillets.
Melissa says
Okay I can see why you have made it so many times!! It sounds amazing and I love the sauce (yes even the anchovies!!). There is nothing better than a super quick meal when you just don’t feel like cooking all night. Delish!
Veena Azmanov says
I love baked fish and this sounds so absolutely divine. I LOVE how simple and easy this is to make. I love olives and this is definitely my kind of dish.
Jyothi (Jo) says
That sauce, oh the flavors I can only drool reading your recipe card. Looks absolutely delicious and perfect dinner for any day, any time. I am sucker for all things spicy. Love it
Dan Zehr says
I think this will be one of my favorites for dinner. This looks amazing! I cannot wait to give it a try. Thank you for sharing this great recipe. YUM!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Just love these super simple recipes with just a few ingredients that pack a punch of flavor. Perfect recipe for the Holidays and beyond.
Lauren Vavala says
This sauce sounds so rich and flavorful! Cod is the perfect fish to choose to pair it with – it’s so versatile! My family will love this recipe!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Oh I just love this olive sauce. I never thought to put it with fish and I love sugo with fish of course on Christmas Eve this may be added to the 7 fishes menu! wow buona! love this
Tony Carlo says
Hi Marisa,
I have to say that the concept of pairing Puttanesca with cod fish rocked my world! I grew up in an Italian family and my grandmother cane from a small town near Naples. My grandmother and aunts often made cod with a light tomato sauce, but never took it beyond that. I love to cook and this recipe will now be a regular staple in our family. I live in Boston and we are fortunate to have lots of locally caught cod here. made this tonite and it was soooo delicious.
Tony
Marisa Franca says
Ciao, Tony!!! I am so glad you enjoyed the cod. Yes, it is good isn’t it. We do a lot of fish recipes because we do like fish but also Hubby likes to ocean fish. So!! When he’s lucky we get lots of freshly caught fish otherwise we have to rely on the store. Check out our cod with mushrooms and vermouth. That is another standard in our house and it’s really good. Have a great Independence Day — what are you cooking up??
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
I love puttanesca. Such a quick and easy sauce to make. We are pasta lovers here. Pairing fish and seafood makes for a delicious meal. Bring on the wine…and dig in.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Gloria! If you like fish this is one great recipe — and super easy too.
Alina @ Delicious Romania says
Hi there! I tried this recipe today, I simply loved it! I’m always looking for new recipes containing fish, since I want to incorporate it more often in my diet, and this sauce with anchovies, capers and olives was perfect with the cod. I served it with a carrot and celery puree, but I’m sure it would have been amazing with some pasta! Thank you for the great recipe. 🙂
Marisa Franca says
Ciao, Alina! Thank you so much for you kind comments. I certainly appreciate you taking the time to give us feedback. And we do eat a lot of seafood so I know how important it is to find a variety of recipes. Have a wonderful day and I hope to hear from you again. 🙂
Sasha @ Eat Love Eat says
This cod looks delicious, Marisa!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Sasha! I hope you try the recipe.
Ciao Chow Linda says
What a delicious way to liven up the flavor of cod. It’s such a mild fish, that these flavors are just the right accent. Brava.
Marisa Franca says
Grazie, Linda! We couldn’t believe how good it is. I bet you have some delicious homemade marinara sauce somewhere in your house. ?
Supriya Kutty says
Extremely wonderful. <3. it was good time to read this recipe. Thanks for sharing this.
Marisa Franca says
Thank you for your sweet comment.
Christine says
My brother is a fisherman and is always giving me fresh fish. I usually make fish tacos with it but next time I’m making puttanesca because this looks amazing!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Christine! This is a taste everyone can love. Let me know how you like it.
Susie says
This recipe couldn’t come at a better time……I just bought cod filets……I can’t wait to try this recipe……Thanks, Marisa, for another inspirational and delicious recipe.
Happy Easter to you and family…..xoxoxo
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Susie!! Hope you like the recipe. We’ve made it down south several times and up here too. Grab your favorite marinara sauce and go! Have a great Easter. Hoping to have some picture of the kids and grandkids to share. Happy Easter to all of you! xoxoxo to you too ?
Elizabeth | Ellie & Elizabeth says
You may say simple, I say WOW! You always have recipes I’ve never heard or thought of! Looks soooo good!! I’m pinning it for later, I’ll let you know when I try it!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Elizabeth! It sure is easy to throw together, do let me know how you and your family like the dish. Do you have Ellie’s outfit for Easter?
Jovina Coughlin says
What a delicious way to serve fish. Looks wonderful Marisa. I like that you served over pasta.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Jovina! Puttanesca screams for pasta, don’t you think? We will definitely try it with other fish.