Out of all of the Italian baked fish recipe there are, this one just might be my favorite. It can be made with any white fish, and is abundant with all of the delicious flavors you know and love.
Every single year, lent creeps up on me and catches me off guard.
Usually I’ll have the painful realization mid day on a Friday as I’m planning on ordering a pepperoni pizza, or making some grilled chicken to have on my salad at lunch.
But lucky for my future self, I always make sure that I’m prepared by getting some fresh fish filets ahead of every week at my local supermarket.
Whether it’s red snapper, tilapia, or some delicious looking halibut fillet that’s on sale, it doesn’t matter.
I always buy whatever fish I like knowing that this recipe is in my back pocket.
And today, I’m going to show you how to make it—Italian style
What You’ll Need:
White Fish Filets Of Your Choosing: But to be honest, this really can be made with any type of fish that you desire.
Tomatoes: Whether it’s cherry tomatoes or fresh tomato sauce, you want to make sure you’re using something with a really robust flavor.
Bread Crumbs: For best results, I like to use panko bread crumbs.
Fresh Basil: If you want to give your fish some extra Italian flare, some strips of fresh basil will be delicious with this fish recipe.
Olive Oil: As always, use a good oil, one that you won’t mind tasting.
Lemon Juice: The best way to include a tiny burst of extra acidity is by adding a drop of lemon juice. This will make all of the difference.
Shallots & Garlic: I like to use shallots with this easy Italian baked fish recipe as opposed to red onion, but if that’s all you have, it will taste fine with this. Garlic is always necessary when it comes to making baked fish.
Parmesan Cheese: Just trust me with this one. I know cheese and fish don’t tend to mix well, but they do in this case.
Seasonings: This is one of those recipes where the flavor of the ingredients really speaks for itself, so all you’re going to need is salt and pepper.
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f.
In an oven proof pan, saute your shallots and minced garlic cloves in some extra virgin olive oil until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the lemon juice to the pan, mix until incorporated with the garlic and shallots.
Add your tomatoes, and get the juices out. If using cherry tomatoes, cook until they develop a nice, saucy consistency. If using canned tomatoes, this process should be a little faster. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Take the white fish of your choosing, pat dry, and season with sea salt and black pepper.
Add your fish filets on top of the tomato mixture in a single layer. Top with panko bread crumbs and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Pop the entire pan in the oven for 12-15 minutes. Fish cooks quickly, so this shouldn’t need to go in for that long.
Remove the pan from the oven, and serve this easy Italian baked fish recipe immediately over your favorite pasta.
FAQs:
Q: What type of fish do you like to use with this?
A: I love baked haddock, we grew up eating it. For that reason, haddock has my vote when it comes to this recipe, but you can really use anything you like.
Q: Can I make this in the air fryer?
A: If you wanted a quicker version of this recipe, making this fish in the air fryer might be your best bet.
The only caveat is that the fish won’t get to sit in the juices of your delicious tomato sauce.
If you choose to go this route, top your fish with bread crumbs and let it bake in the air fryer while you work on your tomato sauce.
Q: Can I make this recipe using shrimp?
A: You certainly can, however shrimp cooks even quicker. I recommend not baking it at all, searing your shrimp before starting your sauce and removing from the pan, and adding them all back in at the very end.
Q: What kind of pasta do you recommend I serve this with?
A: I recommend linguine all the way! If you don’t have linguine, angel hair or regular spaghetti would be delicious as well.
What To Serve With This Baked Fish Recipe:
Vegetable: Whether it’s roasted asparagus or steamed asparagus, this is the optimal veggie for this dish. Try it out!
Wine: When there’s fish, white wine is always superior. A glass of chardonnay would be delicious with this!
Dessert: Craving something light? These ancient Roman cookies will be the perfect treat.
Other Fish Recipes To Try:
It’s no secret that Lent is prime fish season. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of all of our favorite fish recipes for you to try.
Let us know if you give any of them a shot!
- Mediterranean Fish In Tomato Sauce
- Baked Swordfish
- Parmesan Cod Recipe
- Tuscan Italian Salmon Recipe
- Pasta Puttanesca Recipe
Easy Italian Baked Fish Recipes: Perfect For Lent
Ingredients
- 1 lb fish of your choice
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 16 oz tomatoes of your choice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 shallot, diced
- 4 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- In an oven safe pan, add olive oil over medium heat.
- Once oil is heated, add shallots and garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and saute until fragrant.
- Add your lemon juice, let cook with the shallots and garlic for one minute.
- Add your tomatoes, crushing them a bit to release the juices. Lower your heat to medium-low, and cook for about five minutes.
- Pat your fish filets dry, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place them on top of the sauce, and cover with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until fish is cooked through.
- Serve immediately over your favorite pasta!
