Oven Baked Fish (Italian Style with Tomatoes)
Oven baked fish with tomatoes is the way my Nonna Chiarina used to make fish. This is a typical Italian style recipe and is so easy to customize to your own liking.
Eating more fish seems to be a goal for many of us.
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As much as I adore fish and chips it’s just not something I can have ready in 15 minutes if I’m in a hurry and just need a quick and healthy meal.
My nonna’s recipe is perfect for those times. Even if there’s nothing in the fridge for dinner, I can defrost some frozen fish and make this oven baked fish without anything else but pantry staples. Flaky white fish is topped with tomatoes and crispy homemade breadcrumbs which are doused in red wine vinegar and drizzled with good quality olive oil; it’s absolutely delicious!
I had my last fresh tomatoes from my plants which I blitzed in a food processor to top this haddock, but you can use canned pomodorini, (or fresh) or any good quality tomatoes in a can. I put more than I normally do because I wanted to use the tomatoes, but you can see my mother’s version here.
It might remind of of the baked zucchini recipe I posted last summer which is made in a very similar manner.
How Long Does Fish Need in the Oven?
Fish doesn’t need too long in the oven, so about 15 to 20 minutes in a hot oven should be perfect. Of course, times will vary depending on what type of fish you have and how thick the pieces are. Adjust accordingly so that if you have thin filets, take them out sooner than thick ones.
What is the Best Fish for Baking?
The best fish for baking is a nice flaky fish like haddock (my favorite) or cod, for example. However, you can use plaice, rockfish, snapper or even halibut or swordfish for this recipe. For the best seafood, it needs to be fresh or a good quality frozen product from a brand like Get Maine Lobster. Use the link to order and you’ll save 10% off, and they even stock fabulous haddock!
Can I Make this Fish Recipe Gluten Free?
Absolutely, it’s easy to make this gluten free, just omit the breadcrumbs, that’s it. Alternatively, if you can make this with gluten free breadcrumbs, too.
Note: if you like, you can omit the tomatoes and this will give you a crunchy baked fish dish, that is still tasty.
Oven Baked Fish (Italian Style with Tomatoes)
Recipe from my Nonna Chiarina serves 2
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- extra virgin olive oil
- breadcrumbs
- tomatoes
- oregano
- salt
- white fish
- red wine vinegar
Directions
Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C)
In an 8×8 baking dish, drizzle some extra virgin olive oil then sprinkle some breadcrumbs (if making gluten free, just use the extra virgin olive oil).
Prepare the tomatoes, oregano, Kosher or sea salt and extra virgin olive oil in a bowl.
Place pieces of fish in the pan and season with salt and pepper, then top with the tomato mixture. You can dot with the tomatoes, or put more (as in the picture below), to your liking.
Next, top with breadcrumbs. Again, add as much or as little as you like.
Splash with some strong red wine vinegar.
Lastly, drizzle with some good quality extra virgin olive oil.
Pop into the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the fish is cooked and the breadcrumbs are crisp and golden brown. Serve immediately.
I think this is a dish that you’ll be enjoying on a regular rotation after tasting it just once.
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Oven Baked Fish (Italian Style with Tomatoes)
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¾ cup fresh breadcrumbs or ⅓ cup of dry breadcrumbs
- 12 cherry tomatoes fresh, or ½ cup (115 g) canned tomatoes (pomodorini, plum, or chopped)
- 1 lb white fish like haddock or cod
- ½ tsp salt to taste (divided)
- ⅛ tsp black pepper freshly ground (optional)
- ½ tsp oregano dried
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil divided
- 2 tsp wine vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C)
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil into the pan, then sprinkle about 3 tablespoonfuls of fresh breadcrumbs (preferably a rustic loaf) over the oil.
- Roughly chop the fresh tomatoes, if using. Put the tomatoes in a bowl and add the oregano, add some salt, a tablespoon of olive oil and mix together.
- Place pieces of fish on the breadcrumbs in the pan, sprinkle with salt and black pepper, then top with the tomato mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining breadcrumbs on top of the tomatoes and fish. Splash with vinegar, then drizzle with a tablespoonful or more of extra virgin olive oil.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until fish is cooked and breadcrumbs are golden brown. Serve immediately.
Notes
- The thickness of the fish will determine a shorter or longer baking time.
- Use gluten free breadcrumbs for a gluten free dish.
Nutrition
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What temperature should the oven be pre-heated to?
Sorry David, I had “Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C)” in the body of the post, but it was missing in the printable recipe card. It’s fixed now. Buon appetito!
I can see making this regularly, Christina. Healthy, delicious and quick. As you said, perfect when there’s not time for a more complex recipe. And frankly, even when there is more time. Love it! :-) ~Valentina
I’ve never seen a dish like this! So beautiful, and quite healthy! Adding it to my list of things I need to make soon!
So easy!
What a lovely, simple but delicious recipe, Christina. Definitely my kind of dish!
I’m sure it is, Frank! Few ingredients of the best quality make a great dish!
This is really lovely. And I know it’s good. I’ve been getting fish from Sitka Salmon Shares and it’s so nice to have good fish, since I can’t get it locally. I was always a fan of San Marzano tomatoes, still am, but after seeing so many people/chefs talk about New Jersey tomatoes, I ordered a case from Amazon. Jersey fresh crushed tomatoes. wow. Fabulous rich flavor, and no de-seeding!
Yes, fresh fish is sooo important! I think the San Marzano tomato is very misunderstood, tbh. You can buy tomatoes labeled as such that are absolutely awful. The real DOP ones, on the other hand, are the best in the world, hands down. Haven’t heard about the NJ ones, but never tasted any from the US that outdoes the real Italian SM.
Hi !
What would give the oven baked fish such a high sodium number, more Han most people should have in a day.
Love to try but that number is just too high.
Hi Margot, what would give oven baked fish such a high sodium number? Almost 2000 mg per serving? An error, of course!
Did you read the ingredients? Please read the recipe and don’t rely on the nutrition information as the app that does the calculations is often off. Also, you are making this yourself, so put the amount of salt you want, problem solved! :)