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    Home » Main Dishes » Italian Cod Recipe with Tomatoes

    Italian Cod Recipe with Tomatoes

    December 7, 2019 , Updated December 13, 2023 Maria 28 Comments

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    A recipe for Italian cod with tomatoes on a bed of rice.

    This Italian Cod Recipe with tomatoes is ready in just 30 minutes. Simmer codfish fillets in a tomato sauce for an easy and delicious weeknight meal.

    A piece of Italian cod topped with tomato sauce over a bed of rice.

    If you are looking for a healthy cod recipe that can be prepared and served in under thirty minutes, this recipe is for you.

    Just like this garlic oregano baked cod fish, or this recipe for acqua pazza most Italian fish recipes are also simple and delicious.

    Let me show you how quickly this particular recipe comes together.

    Cod fish smothered in tomato sauce, on a white dinner plate.

    Mise en place

    Prep the garlic: I will usually use about 3-4 cloves of garlic that I crush with the side of my knife and then coarsely chop. Feel free to use more (or less) according to your personal preference.

    Get the tomatoes ready: I like to use canned tomatoes for this easy fish recipe. If possible, purchase San Marzano whole peeled canned tomatoes packed in their juices and not tomato sauce. Use a high-quality canned tomato just like when we made our classic marinara sauce.

    Empty a 28 ounce (796 mL) can in a large bowl and hand crush the tomatoes. Add 1 cup of water to the empty can, swirl it around and add it to the bowl of crushed tomatoes.

    Prep the onions and the shallots: Coarsely chop 1 medium onion and 3-4 shallots.

    The rest of the ingredients can be prepared while the tomato sauce simmers.

    Instructions

    Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.

    Onions, shallots and garlic sauteed in a saucepan.

    Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 medium chopped onion and 3-4 chopped green onions (scallions). Sauté until softened (4-5 minutes).

    Add the 4 cloves of chopped garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. The addition of a pinch of red pepper flakes at this point is optional. Add ½ cup of white wine followed by crushed tomatoes (28 ounces or 796 mL).

    Parsley stalks added to the tomato sauce.

    Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Since I use chopped parsley to garnish the cooked dish, I throw in the parsley stalks while the sauce is simmering.

    At this point, taste your tomato sauce. Adjust for salt and pepper. 

    Reduce the heat to medium, and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

    Cod fillets are added to the tomato sauce.

    While the sauce is simmering, rinse 4 cod fillets (about 2 pounds or 900 grams total) quickly under cold water and pat dry. Season with paprika (about ½ teaspoon ) and salt and pepper. 

    After the sauce has been simmering for about 20 minutes, place the fish in the sauce, cover and cook for about 7-10 minutes or until fish flakes easily and turns opaque in color (total time depends on the thickness of the fillet).

    OPTIONAL: Garnish with freshly chopped Italian parsley.

    The extra sauce can be refrigerated and served with pasta for another quick supper meal. 

    Tips

    • Rinse cod fillets quickly under cold water and pat dry.
    • Use the best quality and freshest ingredients.
    • Replace canned tomatoes with whole frozen tomatoes. 
    • The extra sauce can be refrigerated and served with pasta for another quick supper meal. 

    Can I use another kind of fish?

    Yes, replace the cod with any firm, white fish fillet such as haddock, bass or grouper (to name just a few). 

    How can you tell that the cod is cooked?

    The fish should be opaque and flake easily when tested with a fork. As a general rule, allow for 10 minutes of cooking time per inch (2.5cm) of the fish thickness. 

    Easy seafood recipes we love

    • Lemon Garlic Shrimp
    • Pan-Seared Scallops
    • Coquilles St Jacques
    • Seafood Pizza
    • Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
    • Seafood Salad
    • Fish Chowder
    • Maple Glazed Salmon 

    A piece of cod fish is separated to show the flakiness of the fillet.

    Recipe origins

    Growing up in an Italian household, Fridays were synonymous with the tradition of enjoying fish. This fresh cod recipe, a staple on our dinner table, was often accompanied by Italian potatoes, creating a comforting and flavorful meal.

    As the holiday season approached, a unique twist awaited us on Christmas Eve—my mom’s rendition of this recipe featuring Salted cod, also known as Baccalà, for La Vigilia, a cherished Italian tradition. During this festive time, we would gather with family and friends to celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes, savoring an array of delectable fish and seafood dishes.

    Despite the abundance of seafood choices, one dish has consistently stood out as a personal favorite on our Italian Christmas Eve menu—the Spaghetti di San Giuseppe or St. Joseph’s Spaghetti, a beloved family recipe.

    But I digress…

    For those curious about a recent twist on this classic codfish recipe, I collaborated with my friend Carlo, a professional chef. If you’d like to witness the preparation of this variation, you can check out the step-by-step guide on YouTube.

    Follow this link and subscribe to the YouTube channel for more culinary delights.

     

    ★★★★★ If you have made this recipe for codfish, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

    Recipe

    Italian cod with tomato sauce on a bed of rice.

    Italian Cod Recipe with Tomato Sauce

    This Italian Cod Recipe with tomatoes is ready in just 30 minutes. Simmer codfish fillets in a tomato sauce for an easy and delicious weeknight meal.
    4.91 from 10 votes
    Print Save RecipeSaved! Pin Rate
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings (6 ounces each)
    Calories: 302kcal
    Author: Maria Vannelli RD
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    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 onion chopped
    • 3-4 green onions (scallions) chopped
    • 4 garlic cloves chopped
    • pinch red pepper flakes optional
    • ½ cup white wine
    • 1 28 ounces San Marzano, whole canned tomatoes  796 mL, lightly hand crushed
    • 1 cup water to rinse out the inside of the empty can
    • 2 pounds cod fillets or firm white fish approximately 900 grams, skinless
    • ½ teaspoon paprika dried
    • salt and pepper according to taste
    • parsley for garnishing

    Instructions

    • Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.
    • Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onions and green onions. Sauté until softened (4-5 minutes).
    • Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
    • OPTIONAL: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
    • Add the white wine followed by the crushed tomatoes.
    • Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. At this point, taste your tomato sauce. Adjust for salt and pepper. 
    • Reduce the heat to medium, and allow it to simmer slowly for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
    • While the sauce is simmering, rinse 4 cod fillets (about 2 pounds or 900 grams total) quickly under cold water and pat dry. Season with paprika (about ½ teaspoon ) and salt and pepper. 
    • After the sauce has been simmering for about 20 minutes, place the fish in the sauce, cover and cook for about 7-10 minutes or until fish flakes easily and turns opaque in color (total time depends on the thickness of the fillet).
    • Serve immediately.
    • OPTIONAL: Garnish with freshly chopped Italian parsley.
    Enhance Your Cooking Experience!SCROLL UP for essential step-by-step photos embedded in the article above. When available, videos can be found in the next section. These visuals are designed to help you achieve perfect results every time. Happy cooking!

    Notes

    • Rinse cod fillets quickly under cold water and pat dry.
    • Use the best quality and freshest ingredients.
    • The extra sauce can be refrigerated and served with pasta for another quick supper meal. 
    • I used wild Atlantic Cod Fillets for this cod fish recipe.
    Can I use another kind of fish? Yes, replace the cod with any firm, white fish fillet such as haddock, bass or grouper (to name just a few). 
    How can you tell that the cod is cooked? The fish should be opaque and flakes easily when tested with a fork. As a general rule, allow for 10 minutes of cooking time per inch (2.5cm) of the fish thickness. 
    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 1073mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Filed Under: Christmas, Main Dishes

    About Maria

    Maria Vannelli is a retired dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dianna

      November 30, 2024 at 7:19 pm

      What is that under the cod with tomato sauce?

      Thanks
      Dianna

      Reply
      • Maria

        December 16, 2024 at 12:54 pm

        Thanks for your interest Dianna. On this particular day, I served it with rice.

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Maria! a dietitian (retired) and full-time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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