Baked Mayo Parmesan Fish with Szeged Rub
Mild white fish fillets rubbed with Szeged spice blend, topped with a stiff mayo-Parmesan mixture, and baked until just firm. The topping is broiled at the end for a golden crust. Quick weeknight dinner ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep.
Ingredients
- 4 piece fish fillets, 6-8 oz each, about 1/2 inch thick, thawed and drained
- 1 tsp Szeged Fish RubOld Bay Seasoning or other fish seasoning1:1spice
different spice profile
- ½ cup mayo
- 4 tbsp Parmesan cheese, freshly grated or coarsely grated
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- black pepper, coarse ground, to taste(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Thaw fish overnight in the fridge and drain well. Pat dry between paper towels if excess moisture remains.
- 2
Lay fish on cutting board, rub both sides with Szeged Fish Rub, and let come to room temperature while preheating oven to 400F/400°F.
- 3
In a small bowl, combine mayo, grated Parmesan, and garlic powder, mixing until well combined.
- 4
Using a rubber scraper, spread mayo mixture in an even layer on the top of each fish piece on the cutting board.
- 5
Transfer fish carefully to baking dish. Season topping with fresh-ground black pepper to taste.
- 6
Bake in upper half of oven for about 12 minutes until fish is starting to firm when pressed with a fork.
- 7
Switch oven to broil and brown topping for 3-4 minutes, watching carefully. Serve hot.
Tips
Pat fish very dry before seasoning to ensure better coating adherence and even cooking.
Spread mayo mixture on the cutting board before transferring to baking dish to minimize mess and ensure even coverage.
Broiler intensity varies; watch the topping closely during the final browning step to prevent burning.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftover fish in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Not recommended for freezing due to mayo topping.
Mix mayo-Parmesan topping up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerate. Do not apply to fish until ready to bake.
Serve immediately while hot with steamed vegetables, rice, or a green salad.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip drying the fish to avoid soggy coating and uneven browning.
Do not crowd the baking dish to avoid steaming instead of baking.
Do not forget to watch broiler closely to avoid charring the topping.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
different spice profile