Description
This Baked Tilapia recipe is a simple and flavorful way to enjoy tender fish fillets seasoned with a blend of spices and baked to perfection with a buttery garlic lemon sauce. It’s a quick and healthy meal option perfect for busy weeknights, yielding a moist and aromatic dish that pairs wonderfully with fresh herbs and a hint of heat from optional red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Seasoning
- 4 tilapia fillets (fresh or thawed frozen, 5-6 oz each)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Butter Sauce
- 5 tablespoons butter (divided: 1 tablespoon for greasing, 4 tablespoons for sauce)
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic (about 2 medium cloves)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
Garnish
- 1 fresh lemon sliced for garnish
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly brush a baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter to prevent sticking.
- Season the tilapia: In a mixing bowl, combine salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly on both sides of the tilapia fillets, then place the fillets in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Make the butter sauce: In a small bowl, mix the remaining 4 tablespoons of melted butter with minced fresh garlic and fresh lemon juice, creating a flavorful buttery sauce.
- Apply the sauce: Brush or spoon the butter sauce evenly over the top of each fish fillet for maximum flavor infusion.
- Bake the fish: Bake the fillets in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Check the internal temperature at 10 minutes to ensure it reaches 145°F (63°C), which confirms doneness. If not, continue baking, checking every minute to avoid overcooking.
- Garnish and serve: Once baked, sprinkle the fish with optional red pepper flakes, chopped fresh parsley, and garnish with fresh lemon slices. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious tilapia meal.
Notes
- Use fresh or properly thawed frozen tilapia fillets for best results.
- Checking the internal temperature with a food thermometer prevents overcooking and keeps the fish moist.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
- Butter can be substituted with olive oil for a lighter fat option, but will slightly change the flavor.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
