Baked Lemon Garlic Butter Cod

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easier cleanup. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and arrange them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.

In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley until well combined. Pour the butter mixture evenly over each cod fillet, making sure they're fully coated.

Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Avoid overbaking, as cod cooks quickly and stays best when it's moist and tender.

Remove the baking dish from the oven and spoon some of the buttery sauce over each fillet. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices before serving. Pair with roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes, rice, or a crisp garden salad for a complete meal.