Easy Roasted Fish and Lentils
Fish and lentils will become one of your go-to meals because it’s comforting, hearty, and satisfying. The flaky tender cod sits on top of a bed of green lentils that are spiced with my special blend of All Purpose Seasoning. This cod recipe is elegant enough for a special occasion yet simple enough for an easy meal.
Cod and green lentils is such a delicious combo. Similar to my Carrot Lentil Soup, the lentils absorb so much flavor. You can always throw in additional vegetables such as spinach or carrot as well. This recipe uses dried lentils which cook up rather quickly (under 30 minutes).
Why this recipe works
- Just like my Lentils and Tofu, Cod with Lentils can be enjoyed as a comforting dinner or even as a delicious breakfast or lunch.
- Similar to my Blackened Mahi Mahi with Mango Salsa, it’s the kind of dish that feels special without being complicated. The tender and rich fish with well-seasoned lentils—they just work together.
- All of these delicious ingredients are nutritious!
Ingredients for this Fish and Lentils recipe
Only a few ingredients are needed to make this tasty dish.
- Fresh cod.
- Extra virgin olive oil.
- Onion.
- Red bell pepper. Sweet red bell pepper compliments the fish.
Spice rub for fish:
- Paprika.
- Garlic powder.
- Dried basil.
- Dried Thyme.
- Sea salt.
- Black pepper.
For lentils:
- Green lentils-rinsed.
- Vegetable broth. I recommend low sodium and no sugar added but any vegetable broth works.
Spices for lentils:
Serving of All Purpose Seasoning. This is my special spice blend I like to use in soups like my Corn and Shrimp Chowder or dishes like my Ground Turkey Shakshuka.
- Sea salt.
How to make Fish and Lentils
Step One: Pre heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Rinse the lentils well with cold water to remove any excess dirt.
Step Two: Over medium heat, add the olive oil to a large pot. When ready, add the red bell pepper and onion. Let it cook for about 4-5 minutes or until they start to sweat.
Step Three: Add the rinsed lentils to the pot and pour in the vegetable broth. Add the lentil seasonings and give it a stir. Bring it to a boil and then turn it down to medium-low heat and let simmer for about 25 minutes. Lentils will be done when they a bit of a softer texture. If you prefer more al dente, test lentils at around 15-20 minutes.
Step Four: Gather all of the spices for the fish rub into a small bowl and give it a stir.
Step Five: Add the cod filets to the sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and then season with the fish rub. Place in the oven for 15 minutes or until the fish is opaque.
Step Six: When both lentils and fish are done, serve with a ½ cup of lentils and add 4 oz of cod to the top of the lentils.
Storing and reheating
Store the fish and lentils separately in an airtight container for up to 2 days for the fish and 3 days for the lentils.
Helpful tips
- Buy the cod already filleted to save time. Trader Joe’s has good quality fish fillets.
- Pat the fish gently with a paper towel to remove any excess liquid.
- If using frozen cod, defrost overnight in the fridge before using.
- Be sure to rinse the lentils well before using to get all of the dirt off of them.
- Don’t skimp on the olive oil, it adds flavor to the cod fillets.
- To get a a bit of crust on this fish, sear the cod first in a frying pan and then transfer to a baking sheet.
Serving suggestions
You can enjoy lentils with fish as a part of a big spread with a salad such as Cauliflower Tabbouleh, Cumin Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Middle Eastern Spatchcocked Chicken, crusty bread, naan bread or pita.
Variations of Lentils with Fish
- Change the fish from cod to mahi mahi, sea bass or salmon. Any thick white fish will be amazing.
- Lentils can be cooked in regular water but cooking them in vegetable broth gives more flavor.
- Add lemon zest or lemon juice to the fish for a touch of acidity.
- Top with green onions or chopped basil leaves.
Looking for other recipe ideas? Subscribe to my monthly newsletter and receive delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox!
Did you make this recipe and love it? Please leave a comment and give it a 5 Star Rating! THANK YOU!
I’ve been enjoying fish with lentils for breakfast as I’ve been on a mission to create breakfast dishes that don’t contain eggs. If you find yourself with extra lentils, you can enjoy them with a simple Tofu Scramble, on the side of Salmon Quinoa Bowl, with avocado toast or with fried egg on top. Or cook up some other fish recipes like my Za’atar Salmon or my Lemon Dill Salmon. I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Easy Roasted Fish and Lentils
Save This Recipe
Want to get this recipe in your email? Just enter your email below and get it now along with new recipe updates!
Equipment
- large pot
Ingredients
- 3/4 -1 pound cod fillets
- 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more if needed
- 1 large red bell pepper chopped
- 1 medium white onion chopped
- 32 ounces vegetable broth low sodium
- 1 cup dried lentils washed/rinsed
Seasoning for the Cod
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
All Purpose Seasoning for the Lentils
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon aleppo pepper or 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt optional
Instructions
- Start with preheating the oven 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Over medium heat, add about 1 tbsp of the olive oil to a large pot. When ready, add the red bell pepper and onion. Let it cook for about 5 minutes or until they start to sweat.
- Add the rinsed lentils to the pot and pour in the vegetable broth. Add the seasonings and give it a stir. Bring it to a boil and then turn it down to low and let simmer for about 25-30 minutes.
- Add the cod filets to the sheet pan. Drizzle with 2 tbsp of olive oil and then season with the fish rub. Place in the oven for 15-17 minutes or until the fish is opaque.
- When both lentils and fish are done, serve with a ½ cup of lentils and 4 oz of cod.
Notes
- Buy the cod already filleted to save time. Trader Joe’s has good quality fish fillets.
- Pat the fish gently with a paper towel to remove any excess liquid.
- If using frozen cod, defrost overnight in the fridge before using.
- Be sure to rinse the lentils well before using to get all of the dirt off of them.
- Don’t skimp on the olive oil, it adds flavor to the cod fillets.
- To get a a bit of crust on this fish, sear the cod first in a frying pan and then transfer to a baking sheet.
Nutrition
Making this recipe? I would love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @whensaltyandsweetunite or use hashtag #whensaltyandsweetunite .
