The Ultimate Creamy Baked Fish: You’ll Never Cook It Any Other Way

You’ve just found your new go-to weeknight dinner! This creamy baked fish fillet is absolutely delicious, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit with your entire family. Once you try this recipe, you’ll definitely want to add it to your permanent rotation. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients for the Creamy Baked Fish

For the Fish:

• 1.75 lbs (approx. 800g) tilapia fillets
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Black pepper to taste
• Salt to taste
• Juice of half a lemon
• 6 medium potatoes
• 1/2 tbsp salt (for boiling)
• Water for boiling

For the Creamy Sauce:

• 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 3/4 cup (approx. 200ml) coconut milk
• 12 oz (approx. 340g) tomato sauce
• 7 oz (approx. 200g) cream cheese (or Mexican crema for a thinner sauce)
• Salt, black pepper, and paprika to taste
• 1 tbsp chimichurri seasoning
• Fresh parsley and scallions, chopped, to taste
• 5 oz (approx. 150g) mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced

How to Make Creamy Baked Fish

1. Season the tilapia fillets with salt, black pepper, garlic, and lemon juice.
2. Let the fish marinate for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and slice them into rounds.
4. Place potatoes in a pot, cover with water, add salt, and boil until tender.
5. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil and lightly sear the tilapia fillets on both sides. Remove and set aside.
6. In the same skillet, sauté the onions and bell peppers for two minutes.
7. Stir in the coconut milk and tomato sauce. Simmer for two minutes, then whisk in the cream cheese until smooth and well incorporated.
8. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, paprika, chimichurri, and fresh herbs.
9. Spread a little sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Layer the boiled potato slices on top.
10. Place the seared tilapia over the potatoes and pour the remaining sauce over everything.
11. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes.
12. Remove from the oven, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake for another 12 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Enjoy!

Did You Know?

Creamy fish dishes are a staple in many global cuisines. For example, the French enjoy “Poisson à la Crème,” featuring fish in a delicate cream and herb sauce, while the Thai classic “Pla Rad Prik” features crispy fried fish topped with a bold, spicy, and creamy glaze. This recipe brings that global inspiration right to your kitchen!

Loved this recipe? Share it with your friends! Don’t forget to explore our other delicious seafood recipes on the blog.