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    Home > Meal Type > Pasta Recipes

    Seared Cod with Lemon Tomato Basil Pasta

    Last Updated: Jun 28, 2025 · First Published: Nov 22, 2019
    Author: Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts · Comment: 3 Comments

    Jump to Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    4.37 from 11 votes
    cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with text at the top
    cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with text at the bottom
    cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with text at the top
    cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with text at the top
    cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with text at the top
    cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with text at the bottom
    cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with text at the bottom
    cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with text at the top
    cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with text at the top
    cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with text at the top and bottom
    cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with text at the top and bottom

    Succulent seared cod, served with fresh tomato and basil pasta, spiked with lemon and garlic. This dinner is elegant and simple. 

    The sauce for this fish pasta is easy to make and quick to cook. Making it the perfect dinner for a mid-week meal or serving guests on a casual Saturday night. 

    A great alternative to meat and packed with delicious vibrant flavors. This Cod Pasta is sure to be a hit.

    A cast iron pan filled with pasta and tomato with a fillet of fish

    Recipe Tips: 

    • You want to cook the tomatoes for only a couple of minutes, otherwise, you will find they start to disintegrate and the skins fall off, which makes the dish less enjoyable to eat.
    • Add the basil at the last minute so that it stays fresh and vibrant.
    • Don't overcook the cod, it needs about 6 minutes in total unless you have a thin tailpiece which will take less time.
    • If you can't get cod then this dish will work with any flaky white fish. 

    Serving Suggestions:

    Side: The tomato and the lemon in the sauce will work wonderfully with a crisp bright salad. Try a frisse salad which will also work fabulously with the fish. If you don't mind a little more cooking try tossing some crispy bacon lardons through the salad. You'll be surprised how well they work with the fish.

    Wine: Tomato and fish together can cause problems when picking a wine. We strongly recommend picking an Italian rosé. It will balance with the delicate fish but also compliment the tomato and lemon. Or try a Falanghina Greco. For die-hard red lovers, a lighter Bardolino would be a good choice.

    Want to save this recipe?

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    close up of a cooked fillet of cod on a bed of pasta with cherry tomatoes and basil garnish

    Enjoy x

    For more Seafood and Fish Pasta Recipes, why not try:

    • Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta
    • Pan Seared Salmon with Creamy Lemon Pasta
    • Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta
    • Pan Seared Scallop Pasta with Creamy Bacon Sauce
    • Shrimp Chorizo Pasta
    • See ALL Pasta recipes


    Pin this recipe for Seared Cod Pasta with Tomato and Lemon. Pin it here.

    Get the Recipe

    square picture showing a cooked cod fillet on a bed of tomato pasta

    Seared Cod with Lemon, Tomato and Basil Pasta

    Claire | Sprinkle and Sprouts
    Succulent seared cod, served with fresh tomato and basil pasta, spiked with lemon and garlic. This dinner is elegant and simple. The sauce for this fish pasta is easy to make and quick to cook. Making it the perfect dinner for a mid-week meal or serving guests on a casual Saturday night. A great alternative to meat and packed with delicious vibrant flavors. This Cod Pasta is sure to be a hit.
    4.37 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 556 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the Cod:

    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 ½ lb fresh cod (4 fillets) - see note 1
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper

    For the Lemon, Tomato and Basil Pasta:

    • 12 oz fettuccine/tagliatelle - see note 2
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • 2 cups cherry tomatoes - sliced in half
    • ½ cup broth - see note 3
    • ½ teaspoon brown sugar
    • 4 garlic cloves
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 lemon
    • ¼ cup fresh basil (not compacted) - see note 4

    Instructions
     

    Prevent your screen from going dark
    • Bring a large pan of water to the boil.
    • Once boiling salt the water and add in the pasta. Cook as per the packet instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water before you drain it.
      12 oz fettuccine/tagliatelle
      1 tablespoon salt



    • Whilst the water is coming to a boil start the fish.
    • Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based skillet over medium-high heat.
      2 tablespoon olive oil



    • Season both sides of the cod fillets with salt and pepper then carefully place the cod into the hot oil and cook for 3 minutes on each side.
      1 ½ lb fresh cod (4 fillets)
      1 teaspoon salt
      ½ teaspoon pepper



    • Once the cod is cooked remove it from the skillet and lightly tent it with foil.
    • Add the tomatoes halves to the same skillet and cook until they have softened slightly. About 1 minute.
      2 cups cherry tomatoes - sliced in half



    • Add in a the broth, brown sugar, crushed garlic cloves, salt, pepper, the zest the lemon, and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice.
      ½ cup broth
      ½ teaspoon brown sugar
      4 garlic cloves
      ½ teaspoon salt
      ½ teaspoon black pepper
      1 lemon



    • Bring the sauce to a simmer and then add the drained pasta and the chopped basil leaves.
      ¼ cup fresh basil (not compacted)



    • Stir well to coat the pasta adding ¼-½ cup of the reserved cooking water.
    • Once the pasta is all cooked, check your seasoning, add the cod fillets back in and serve immediately.

    Notes

    1. You can use any flaky white fish for this dish. Or go for something firmer like a salmon or tuna.
    2. We like this with fettuccine, but spaghetti or linguine will be equally great.
    3. Vegetable broth/stock or fish stock is perfect here. Avoid chicken broth as it can overpower the fish. (I use my roasted shrimp stock)
    4. ¼ cup of basil is about a big handful. Don't compress it into the cup.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 556kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 43gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 178mgPotassium: 1110mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 595IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 3mg

    Nutrition is per serving

    For more great recipes follow me on PinterestFollow @sprinklessprout

    More Pasta Recipes

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      Mushroom and Leek Pasta
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      French Onion Pasta
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      Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta
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      Ground Pork Pasta

    Comments

    1. Pascale says

      April 30, 2023 at 9:48 am

      Made this with Black Cod (Sablefish) and it was fantastic! My husband and I are still talking about how good it was 2 hours after dinner. Thank you for the wonderful recipe. I added a little butter (1 tbsp) to the pan with the oil when I seared the fish and 1/4 cup white wine before I added the broth. Delicious!

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        July 17, 2025 at 3:21 am

        5 stars
        Absolutely awesome gorgeous thank you

        Reply
        • Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says

          July 20, 2025 at 12:44 pm

          I am so happy you enjoyed it Amanda 🙂
          Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment.
          Cx

          Reply
    4.37 from 11 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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    a lady slurping pasta from a fork while holding a rustic bowl

    I'm Claire and I love food!!


    I dream about food and I am happiest when I am in the kitchen cooking. Whether that is dinner for my family, snacks for drinks with my girlfriends or testing new recipes for my site, the kitchen is my happy place. Sprinkles and Sprouts is where I share it all and I am so happy you are here.

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