12 Delicious & Easy Baked Fish Recipes for a Quick Weeknight Dinner

Sandra Walker

September 27, 2025

How do you bake fish without drying it out?

Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for overall well-being, and incorporating more seafood into your meals can be beneficial – provided you cook it right. While it’s true that some cooking methods can destroy the nutrients found in fish, there are ways to preserve them. Fish is naturally rich in essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, vitamin D, and others, which can boost brain health and even help prevent depression.

There are several effective ways to cook seafood without compromising its nutritional value. One simple method is baking, but it requires careful attention to avoid drying out the fish. To ensure this doesn’t happen, you can add a liquid component to the tray or use a sauce with a delicate flavor that complements the natural taste of the fish. Be mindful not to overpower the fish’s flavor with too much sauce.

When cooking thicker pieces of fish, it’s essential to follow the 10-minute rule: cook for about 10 minutes per inch, turning halfway through the cooking time. For thinner cuts (less than ½ inch), this step is less crucial. To check if your fish is cooked, insert a fork and gently twist it; if the fish starts to flake apart and the juices turn milky white, it’s ready. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy seafood while preserving its nutritional benefits.

New England Baked Haddock

New England Baked Haddock

Visiting the coast of New England, you’ll find an abundance of fresh seafood, but few dishes showcase its beauty as well as this Baked Haddock Recipe. Not only is it comforting, delicious, and incredibly easy to prepare, but it also utilizes a minimalist approach with just THREE main ingredients that require barely any preparation time – only FIVE MINUTES of hands-on effort!

Garlic Butter Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies

Garlic Butter Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies

Rounding out the perfect sheet pan salmon dish, this particular recipe pairs succulent fish with an assortment of colorful vegetables, all perfectly glazed with a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce. This mouth-watering combination makes for a delightful and convenient weeknight dinner option that’s sure to become a staple in your household, as it’s incredibly easy to prepare and can be cooked to perfection in no time. Simply check out the full recipe here.

Pesto Salmon

Pesto Salmon

Elevating your mealtime experience, this Pesto Salmon recipe offers a delightful twist on traditional roasted fish. Topped with a generous helping of fragrant basil pesto, the dish is then oven-roasted to perfection. The result is a culinary masterpiece that’s not only mouth-wateringly delicious but also incredibly quick to prepare – making it an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners.

Lemony Cod en Papillote with Vegetables

Lemony Cod en Papillote with Vegetables

Mastering the art of cooking seafood doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Baking vegetables and cod in parchment paper, known as cod en papillote in French, is an elegant and efficient way to achieve perfectly tender fish and harmoniously cooked vegetables. By sealing them together in a single package, you can ensure that both the delicate flavors of the cod and the nutrients of the vegetables are preserved throughout the cooking process.

Foil Packet Fish en Papillote

Foil Packet Fish en Papillote

Flipping through cookbooks and blogs for a simple yet impressive dinner solution, you’ll often come across the customizable fish en papillote recipe. This dish can be prepared in either parchment paper or aluminum foil, making it an ideal option for a quick weeknight meal that is not only versatile but also naturally gluten-free, paleo, and AIP-friendly. The best part? It’s absolutely delicious!

Healthy Baked Halibut {Low Calorie, Low Carb, GF, Paleo}

Healthy Baked Halibut {Low Calorie, Low Carb, GF, Paleo}

Discover the simplicity of a delicious baked halibut dish infused with the bold flavors of Italy, the brightness of lemon, and the freshness of tomatoes and green beans. This effortless recipe checks all the boxes for those following low-calorie, low-carb, gluten-free, and Paleo diets, making it an excellent choice for a quick and satisfying fish dinner.

Oven Baked Cod with Lemon & Dill

Oven Baked Cod with Lemon & Dill

Unlocking the secrets of quick and easy cooking, this oven-baked cod with lemon & dill is a game-changer for any home cook. Not only does it take just 20 minutes to prepare, but its light and delicious flavors are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. The best part? It’s an incredibly simple recipe that can be whipped up on a busy weeknight without any fuss or stress. Perfect for families, this dish is a great way to get everyone around the table together in no time.

15-Minute Skillet Tilapia with Artichokes and Tomatoes

15-Minute Skillet Tilapia with Artichokes and Tomatoes

Crafted for those in a hurry, this 15-Minute Skillet Tilapia recipe offers an incredible combination of convenience, flavor, and affordability. Not only does it take under 15 minutes to prepare, but it’s also surprisingly healthy, boasting a calorie count of under 250 per serving. Furthermore, the dish is generous, serving six people comfortably, making it perfect for family meals or gatherings. Additionally, its price tag of $12.54 for the entire recipe breaks down to an affordable $2.

09 per serving, making it an excellent value. Moreover, this recipe has been carefully crafted to accommodate various dietary requirements, being gluten-free, low in carbs, and suitable for a Keto lifestyle.

Easy Oven Baked Salmon

Easy Oven Baked Salmon

Presenting a mouth-watering and nutritious Oven Baked Salmon recipe that can be prepared and served on your table in just 20 minutes! This scrumptious dish is not only easy to make but also budget-friendly, with an estimated cost of $16.45 for 8 servings, which translates to a mere $2.06 per serving.

Baked Salmon with Lemon Sauce in just 20 minutes!

Baked Salmon with Lemon Sauce in just 20 minutes!

Simply put, this delectable baked salmon recipe can be prepared in just 20 minutes, making it an ideal option for those with busy schedules. The dish is elevated by the addition of a refreshing 1-minute lemon sauce that adds a burst of citrusy flavor to each bite. To give you a better idea, click here to check out the full recipe.

Ginger-Soy Glazed Haddock Recipe

Ginger-Soy Glazed Haddock Recipe

With its unique combination of flavors, this haddock recipe with a ginger and soy-based glaze is sure to tantalize your taste buds and provide an abundance of flavor without breaking the calorie bank, leaving you room for a sweet indulgence afterwards.

Citrus Glazed Whole30 Salmon

Citrus Glazed Whole30 Salmon

You’ll love the zesty combination of sweet orange and tart lemon in our Whole30 salmon recipe, which adds a burst of citrus flavor to elevate any meal. Pair it with your favorite vegetables for a speedy and satisfying dinner that’s ready in no time.

Sheetpan Salmon and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Sheetpan Salmon and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Gather around the dinner table and indulge in a delicious and healthy meal with this Whole30 & Low Carb Sheetpan Salmon and Brussels Sprouts Salad. Gently roasting a whole salmon side with lemon and olive oil brings out its natural flavors, while pairing it with a lovely Wilted Brussels Sprouts Salad creates a perfect harmony of textures and tastes. Check it out here for a quick and easy recipe to try tonight!

Mediterranean Cod With Mixed Vegetables

Mediterranean Cod With Mixed Vegetables

Hunger for something deliciously easy to prepare? Look no further than this mouth-watering Mediterranean cod dinner recipe! A perfect blend of flavors and textures comes together in one pot, starting with a base of tender potatoes and summer squash. Then, sliced peppers add a pop of color and flavor, while fresh tomatoes bring a burst of juiciness. Finally, thick cut cod takes center stage, making this dish a true showstopper. You can check it out here!

Broiled Fish Matecumbe from The Fish House in Key Largo

Broiled Fish Matecumbe from The Fish House in Key Largo
Broiled Fish Matecumbe from The Fish House in Key Largo

Laying out the foundation of this recipe, you’ll notice it’s surprisingly simple to prepare, allowing for most of the components to be made ahead of time and cooked just before serving. The concept behind Broiled Fish Matecumbe was inspired by a beloved dish from The Fish House in Key Largo, Florida, which gained popularity after being featured on Food Network.

This dish is a masterclass in balancing bold flavors that work together in perfect harmony, resulting in a truly satisfying culinary experience. While you’re here, take a moment to explore the health benefits associated with consuming fish. As it turns out, fish is an excellent source of essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, vitamin D, and numerous other vital compounds.

In fact, research suggests that incorporating fish into your diet can have a positive impact on both brain health and depression prevention.

Instructions

Instructions

Kick-start your culinary journey with a plethora of healthy baked fish recipes that are not only delicious but also nutritious. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic and comforting or adventurous and new, our collection has got you covered. From traditional American favorites to innovative global twists, we’ve curated a range of mouth-watering options to satisfy your cravings.

Click on the link below each photo to access the full recipes and step-by-step instructions, and don’t forget to share your own creations with us by pinning them under our board on Pinterest!

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