Baked White Fish with Pesto and Blistered Tomatoes
In short: Cod fillets topped with basil pesto and baked over cherry tomatoes until juicy. Ten minutes of prep and one tray for an easy weeknight dinner. It takes about 28 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Total
- 28 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 330 kcal
A spoonful of basil pesto is a quick way to season fish, since it brings herbs, garlic, nuts and cheese in one go. Here it coats thick white fillets that bake on a bed of cherry tomatoes, which burst and make a light sauce. Everything cooks on one tray in under 20 minutes. Use a good store-bought pesto, or make your own with basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 210°C (410°F). Spread the tomatoes on a large rimmed baking sheet, toss with the oil and a pinch of the salt and roast for 8 minutes, until they begin to burst.
- Pat the fish dry and season with the remaining salt and the pepper.
- Push the tomatoes aside to make space and set the fillets on the sheet. Spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of pesto over each fillet.
- Roast for 8 to 10 minutes, until the fish is opaque, flakes easily and reads 63°C (145°F) at the thickest part.
- Stir the lemon juice into the tomato juices on the tray. Spoon the tomatoes and juices over the fish, scatter with basil and chili flakes if using, and serve with rice or potatoes.
Tips
- Pesto burns easily at high heat, so add it only for the last stretch of baking, as written.
- Sun-dried tomato pesto or a spoonful of olive tapenade makes a good change from basil pesto.
Questions and answers
Can I make my own pesto for this recipe?
Yes. Blend 50 g (2 cups) basil leaves, 30 g (1/4 cup) pine nuts, 1 garlic clove, 40 g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan and 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) olive oil with a pinch of salt.
Does pesto fish work with frozen fillets?
Yes. Thaw them fully, pat them dry and bake as written. Wet fish makes the pesto slide off.
What should I serve with pesto baked fish?
Buttered new potatoes, rice or a leafy salad all work. Green beans or roasted zucchini also pair well.
How long does it take to make Baked White Fish with Pesto and Blistered Tomatoes?
About 28 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 18 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Baked White Fish with Pesto and Blistered Tomatoes?
About 330 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 330 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
