Description
This Baked Lemon Garlic Cod with Zucchini Noodles is a light yet satisfying dish that combines flaky cod with vibrant zucchini noodles. Infused with zesty lemon and aromatic garlic, it’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (6-ounce) cod fillets, skinless and boneless
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 4 medium zucchinis
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the cod cooks evenly and helps achieve that golden crust.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). This marinade is key to infusing flavor into the cod.
- Place the cod fillets in a baking dish and pour the marinade over them. Make sure they are well coated. Let them marinate for about 10 minutes to absorb all those delicious flavors.
- While the cod is marinating, wash and spiralize the zucchinis. If you don't have a spiralizer, a vegetable peeler can create thin strips. Set the zucchini noodles aside; they’ll be added later.
- After marinating, bake the cod in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. You'll know it's done when the fish flakes easily with a fork and appears opaque.
- While the cod is baking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
- Add the spiralized zucchini to the skillet, along with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the noodles are just tender but still have a bit of crunch. Overcooking can lead to mushy noodles, so keep an eye on them!
- Once the cod is ready, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a minute. Serve the cod over a bed of zucchini noodles, garnishing with fresh parsley and cherry tomatoes, if desired. Enjoy your meal!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with zucchini noodles
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: To prevent overcooking the cod, use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The ideal internal temperature for cod is 145°F (63°C). Feel free to customize the seasoning in the marinade! Adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika or a dash of cumin can provide a delightful twist.