Frozen cod fillets in tomato sauce (with canned borlotti beans)

This frozen cod fillets in tomato sauce recipe comes together in 40 minutes. So simple to make it’s perfect for the entire family

This recipe for frozen cod fillets in tomato sauce has long been one of our favorites at home. Fish and beans may seem a strange “couple”, but they create a really outstanding combination. The dish is simple, yet elegant at the same time.

Plus, this cod in tomato sauce is a one pan meal! That is, everything is prepared in one skillet. You won’t need to wash thousands of kitchen gadgets and dishes. Isn’t that wonderful? Use a heavy bottom pan – thanks to this, all the ingredients will be cooked evenly.

Usually, tomato sauce covers other flavors in dishes. But not in the case of this recipe. Here, cod fillets, bell peppers, carrots, and onions add interesting notes to the sauce, beans neutralize the strong taste of tomatoes, paprika makes the dish savory, and garlic and rosemary create an amazing flavor!

Simple ingredients, just 40 minutes, a minimum of effort and you will have a fantastic one skillet dish on the table. Hearty, comforting, and light at the same time, perfect for a weeknight dinner and a festive table.

Useful tips

These frozen cod fillets in tomato sauce are super simple to make. However, there are a few secrets for an ideal result:

• Both frozen and fresh fish fillets are suitable for this recipe.
• If using frozen cod or other fish, thaw it well before cooking (I always leave the fillets to thaw overnight in the fridge).
• You can use both homemade and store-bought tomato sauce (you can use the homemade marinara sauce as well). The main thing is that it’s delicious and of good quality. After all, it’s the basis of this dish.
• The cooking time depends on the fish fillet thickness: the thicker it is, the longer the cooking time.
• Avoid overcooking! If you cook the cod fillets for too long, they will become dry, hard, and completely tasteless.

As for beans, I most often use canned borlotti beans. This significantly speeds up the cooking time. Of course, you can boil the beans yourself. Any variety is suitable for this recipe: black, white, red, or cannellini beans… it’s up to you.

How to thaw frozen fish

It’s very important to properly thaw the frozen cod fillets for this recipe.

There are three main ways to do it:

1. Leave the fish overnight in the fridge. This is my favorite method and I can confidently say that it’s the best. The fillets will thaw slowly and gradually in the fridge. Thanks to this, the fish will perfectly preserve its taste and texture.
2. Thaw the fish in cold water. This method is suitable for the case when you decide to prepare a fish dish on the same day. Place the fillets in a sealed plastic bag and place it in a pot of cold water. It should be completely submerged. But water should not get into the bag! Leave for an hour or two (depending on the temperature in the room). Never thaw the fish in warm or hot water! If you do so, the fillets will defrost unevenly and too quickly – this will negatively affect their flavor and destroy their texture.
3. Use a microwave. This is for very emergency cases when time is really short. Be careful not to cook the fish. It should just thaw, but still be cold when you take it out of the microwave.

Ingredients

• 500g (1lb) frozen cod fillets (or any other white fish fillets)
• 400g (15oz) canned borlotti beans (drain them)
• 1 bell pepper (or ½ red bell pepper and ½ yellow bell pepper)
• 400g (15oz) tomato sauce
• 1 small onion
• 1 small carrot
• 1 clove of garlic
• salt and pepper
• a pinch of dry ground paprika
• 1tsp dry rosemary

How to make frozen cod fillets in tomato sauce

Sauté diced carrot and onion in a small amount of oil. When the onion becomes transparent, add bell pepper (cut into small cubes), ¼ cup of water, cover with lid, and cook  for 10 minutes

Add the cod fillet. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Add tomato sauce (the fillets should be completely submerged), cover with a lid, and cook for 20-30 minutes (until the sauce thickens and the fish has cooked through. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the fillets)

At this point, add the beans, minced garlic, and rosemary. Stir carefully and cook under the lid for 5 minutes. Add more salt if needed.

What to serve with cod fillets in tomato sauce

This frozen cod fillet in tomato sauce recipe is already a complete meal. However, it pairs well with any side dish.

My favorite sides for this recipe are:

• mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes
• carrot puree
• rice
• couscous
• roasted asparagus
• vegetable salad
• polenta
• a slice of bread (dip the bread in tomato sauce with beans and enjoy)

FAQ

If you like fish in tomato sauce recipes, give these frozen cod fillets and beans a try. With very few simple ingredients, this recipe is perfect for a satisfying wholesome meal.

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