Pesto Baked Cod and Potatoes

This Pesto Baked Cod recipe is easy and ready in 30 minutes! It's made with potatoes and topped with a creamy lemon basil pesto sauce.

I've been on a quick and easy weeknight meal kick and among my favorites are sheet pan meals. This Sheet Pan Pesto Cod is great when you want a fast and flavorful dinner.

It's made using one pan, which means fewer dishes and less cleanup. This recipe is prepared with cod filets that are roasted in the oven on top of diced potatoes and then topped with a creamy lemon basil sauce.

This Baked Pesto Cod is bursting with bright flavors. The Italian spices and creamy pesto take a few simple ingredients like cod fish and red potatoes and turn it into a tasty treat.

Sheet pan recipes are great to have on hand when you want dinner quickly but don't want to resort to takeout or other unhealthy options. This dish may skimp on time, but one thing it does not skimp on is flavor!

Jump to:

• Which Kind Of Potatoes Are Best For Roasting?
• Do I Need To Peel The Potatoes First?
• How To Roast Potatoes
• How To Cook Sheet Pan Cod
• How To Tell If Baked Cod Is Done?
• How To Make Creamy Pesto Sauce
• What To Serve With Cod and Potatoes
• How Long Do The Leftovers Last In The Fridge?
• Can It Be Frozen?
• Pesto Baked Cod and Potatoes

Which Kind Of Potatoes Are Best For Roasting?

Potatoes are a great vegetable for sheet pan meals because they are versatile, become tender when roasted, and pick up the flavors of whatever is added to them.

When roasting potatoes, it's best to choose a variety that is waxy instead of starchy. Waxy potato varieties include red potatoes, fingerlings and Yukon gold. Any of these would work great in this one pan cod.

Starchier varieties of potatoes such as russets are better suited for mashing or baking because they are softer in texture.

Do I Need To Peel The Potatoes First?

It is not necessary to peel pototoes when adding them to sheet pan meals. Potato skins provide great texture and nutrients. Peeling smaller varieties of potatoes like reds or Yukon gold is cumbersome.

I do recommend washing and scrubbing the potatoes thoroughly before use.

Ingredients For Baked Pesto Cod

This dish is made with only a handful of ingredients, many of which you likely have on hand.

Here's what you'll need to make it:

• 1 - 1 ½ lbs. Cod (fresh or frozen)
• 6-8 Red Potatoes (8 cups diced)
• 3 Tbsp. Olive Oil (split)
• 2 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 2 tsp. Italian Seasoning
• ½ tsp. Kosher Salt (split)
• ½ tsp. Pepper (split)
• ¼ cup Jarred Basil Pesto
• 2 Tbsp. Mayo
• 2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
• Lemon Slices For Garnish
• Fresh Basil For Garnish (optional)

How To Roast Potatoes

When making cod and potatoes, it's important to remember that roasting times for the two differ.

Potatoes take longer to roast than cod, so the recipe starts by roasting them first and then adding the cod halfway through the cooking process.

1. Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Thoroughly wash and scrub 6-8 red potatoes (or waxy potatoes of choice). Dice the potatoes into chunks, making sure they are all relatively the same size to ensure even cooking.
3. Once the potaotes are diced, place them on a large baking sheet. Drizzle 2 Tbsp. olive oil over the potatoes, along with 2 tsp. each of garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Add ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper. Toss until completely coated.
4. Roast the potatoes for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven after 15 minutes.

How To Cook Sheet Pan Cod

Fish and seafood take little time to cook and the cod in this dish is ready in only 15 minutes. It's added to the top of the potatoes halfway through the cooking time.

The cod may be prepared while the potatoes are roasting in the oven.

Fresh or frozen cod may be used, depending on the availability at your local grocery store or fish market.

1. If using frozen cod, allow the fish to thaw completely before use.
2. Once thawed, cut 1 - 1 ½ lbs. into evenly sized filets. Place them on a large plate or separate baking sheet. Pat both sides of the cod dry with paper towels.
3. Drizzle the fish with 1 Tbsp. olive oil and sprinkle ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper on the cod.
4. Place the cod on top of the halfway-roasted potatoes and arrange them so that the pieces of fish are not touching each other.
5. Return the baking sheet to the oven and roast for another 15 minutes, or until the cod is finished cooking.
6. Remove the pan from the oven.

How To Tell If Baked Cod Is Done?

It's important not to undercook seafood, but it's also important not to overcook it or the fish may become rubbery.

To test if the fish is done cooking, simply twist the fish with a fork to see if it flakes. The cod should also go from translucent to white as it bakes in the oven.

The best way to test if seafood is cooked properly is to check the internal temperature. This can be achieved by sticking a food thermometer in the thickest part of the fish filet. The safe internal temperature for cod is 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your fish and the type of oven used.

What Can I Use Instead Of Cod?

Cod is great because it's a meaty fish with a clean flavor. It's widely available and a sustainable seafood choice.

If you are unable to find cod, feel free to substitute it with any variety of firm, flaky white fish such as haddock, pollack, grouper, halibut, Mahi Mahi, or walleye.

Any firm, flaky white fish is a great choice because it won't become mushy as it cooks and picks up the other flavors of the dish.

How To Make Creamy Pesto Sauce

The glue that holds this Baked Pesto Cod together is the creamy pesto sauce that's drizzled over the top. It gives the meal much of its flavor, so be sure not to skip this step!

This is a shortcut sauce made with a few simple ingredients.

1. To make the pesto sauce, simply combine ¼ cup jarred basil pesto, 2 Tbsp. mayo, and 2 Tbsp. lemon juice in a small bowl.
2. Stir until completely combined using a fork or a small whisk.

Once the sauce is combined, it's added to the roasted cod and potatoes, giving it a rich flavor and creaminess.

Love pesto? Don't miss these recipes!

• Homemade Spinach Basil Pesto
• Arugula Pesto Prosciutto Pizza
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Pesto Mayo
• Gluten Free Pesto Pasta Salad
• Italian Soup and Pesto Grilled Cheese
• Italian Green Pasta Sauce
• Tomato Prosciutto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

What To Serve With Cod and Potatoes

Once the fish, potatoes, and pesto sauce are ready it's time to serve.

1. Place a couple spoonfuls of roasted potatoes on a plate and drizzle them with desired amount of the pesto mayo.
2. Place a few cod filets over the top of the potatoes and sauce.
3. Squeeze some fresh lemon over the top of the dish.
4. Garnish with fresh minced basil (optional).

The fresh lemon helps to brighten up the rich flavors of the cod and the pesto mayo. Fresh herbs are always a nice addition, but are not necessary.

If you're looking for a side dish to go along with this Pesto Cod, I recommend these Sheet Pan Green Beans, Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower, or any roasted vegetables.

Sheet pan meals are perfect served with a salad like this Pickled Beet Salad, Balsamic Green Bean Salad, Italian Tomato Salad, or Fresh Pea Salad.

Feel free to top this Baked Pesto Cod with any kind of garnishes that complement Italian flavors like Kalamata olives, capers, artichokes, Parmesan cheese, or feta.

Love fish? Check out these recipes!

• Smoked Salmon Ricotta Dill Bites
• Pan Seared Walleye Fish Sandwich
• Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
• Air Fryer Breaded Fish Tacos
• Breaded Baked Walleye Fingers
• Panko Baked Cod

How Long Do The Leftovers Last In The Fridge?

Fish is one of those things that's best enjoyed fresh, so I recommend eating right away. Leftover fish may be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days.

If you have leftover potatoes, they may be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Any leftover pesto mayo may be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. It may be used to top roasted veggies, chicken, or used as a dip for fresh vegetables.

Can It Be Frozen?

I do not recommend freezing this dish.

Love sheet pan meals? Check out these recipes!

• Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage & Veggies
• Gluten Free Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos
• Sheet Pan Pizza with Canadian Bacon
• Sheet Pan Mediterranean Chicken
• Greek Sheet Pan Chicken
• Sheet Pan Italian Chicken and Green Beans
• Sheet Pan German Sausage and Potatoes

Looking For More Sheet Pan Recipes? Don't Miss These!

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Roasted Chicken and Vegetables