Cod in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
A flavorful and creamy dish featuring tender seared cod fillets served in a rich roasted red pepper sauce with smoked paprika and a touch of lemon. This elegant seafood recipe is perfect for a quick yet impressive dinner, complemented well by rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 4 cod fillets (about 5–6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 jar (12 oz) roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Optional: red pepper flakes for a bit of heat
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Cod Fillets: Pat cod fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper. This ensures the fish sears evenly and develops a nice crust.
- Sear the Cod: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cod fillets and sear for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the fillets from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Onion: In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 4–5 minutes. This forms the flavor base of the sauce.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Incorporate Red Peppers and Paprika: Add the chopped roasted red peppers and smoked paprika to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook down slightly for 3 minutes, concentrating the flavor.
- Add Cream and Lemon: Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want added heat. Simmer gently for another 2–3 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Blend the Sauce: Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, carefully transfer the sauce to a blender and blend, then return it to the pan if it was removed.
- Finish the Dish: Place the seared cod fillets back into the pan with the sauce, spoon sauce over them, and simmer for 2 minutes to heat through and let the flavors meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish and serve warm with your choice of rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
- You can substitute cod with other white fish such as haddock or halibut.
- Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make this recipe pescatarian-friendly.
- To make it lighter, swap heavy cream with half-and-half but note the sauce will be slightly less rich.
- Roasted red peppers can be homemade or store-bought; ensure they are well drained to avoid watery sauce.
Keywords: cod recipe, roasted red pepper sauce, seared fish, Mediterranean seafood, easy fish dinner, creamy seafood sauce
