Description
A fast and forgiving weeknight fish that’s buttery, garlicky, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets, fresh or thawed from frozen
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat each tilapia fillet dry with paper towels, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange fillets in a single layer on the prepared sheet.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, and paprika, if using.
- Spoon the garlic-butter sauce evenly over the fillets. Sprinkle with Parmesan if desired.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until the fish flakes easily and is opaque.
- Garnish with extra parsley and lemon before serving.
Notes
For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with olive oil or plant-based butter. Thinner fillets may cook faster, so check at 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American