If you love a thick, creamy Alfredo sauce, this gluten-free cod Alfredo is pure comfort food. The tender, flaky cod cooks in a rich, garlicky sauce that coats every bite of pasta. It’s an easy, kid-friendly dinner that comes together quickly. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something hearty and satisfying.
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My kids eat seafood once a week, and one of the only ways they enjoy it is with my easy, gluten-free Alfredo sauce. I have tried several different types of sauce for cod, but Alfredo seems to be their favorite! Cod is a mild-flavored whitefish, and kids tend to like it better than most varieties of seafood.
This recipe features my homemade gluten-free Alfredo sauce, which makes a delicious cream sauce for fish! You can also slather this Alfredo over pasta or enjoy it over this whole roasted cauliflower. If your family is like mine, school nights are so busy that it can be hard to find time to share a nutritious family dinner.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Cod – Use fresh or previously frozen and thawed cod. I love using cod because it is a mild, kid-friendly fish. You can use any fish or shellfish in this recipe, so choose what you like.
- Heavy Cream – This is a staple of Alfredo sauces.
- Parmesan Cheese – Use grated parmesan because it melts into the sauce more easily.
- Garlic – Use fresh or jarred minced garlic. In a pinch, you can use garlic powder.
- Gluten-Free Pasta – I used Jovial Taggeline because it is like fettuccine noodles, but you can use any gluten-free pasta shape.
- Butter – Use salted or unsalted butter. If you use salted butter, omit additional salt.
- Basil – Fresh basil is best, but dried works as well.
If you are a seafood lover like me, you will want to check out these amazing gluten-free seafood recipes, too! If you want another delicious cod recipe, try this easy Air Fryer Cod.
Tips For Success
1. Use paper towels to pat dry the cod before cooking it.
2. If your cod is frozen, thaw it out completely before cooking it.
3. Always give the cod a quick pat down to ensure there are no bones.
A Note From My Kitchen
If you have picky eaters, this is the recipe you will keep going back to. Cod is a really mild white fish, and it has no fishy flavor. It blends in with the Alfredo sauce and tastes incredible. You can use any type of pasta. We also love using Trader Joe’s fresh pasta or gluten-free Jovial Tagliatelle. If you want to sneak in some nutrition, you can even add peas, broccoli, or another vegetable. I promise, the Alfredo sauce makes any green vegetable taste delicious!!
How to Make Cod Alfredo (Step-By-Step)
If your cod was previously frozen, thaw it and pat it dry with paper towels. Meanwhile, boil the gluten-free pasta in a pot of water.
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Step 1: Saute the cod with olive oil and fresh basil in a skillet over medium heat. Cod cooks quickly, so you only need to sauté for about 7-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish.
Step 2: Once the cod is cooked, drain the cooking juices and chop it into large pieces. When shredding the fish, double-check for bones.
Step 3: Heat the heavy cream, garlic, butter, salt, and pepper in a large skillet over medium-low heat. When bubbles form, turn the heat down to low to simmer.
Step 4: Cook your pasta according to package directions. Every brand has different cooking times, so do read the box cooking suggestions. Read my How to Cook Gluten-Free Pasta Guide to learn how to prevent gluten-free pasta from getting mushy.
Toss the pasta and fish with the Alfredo sauce to coat them evenly. Top with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot!
Serve with Gluten-Free Bread:
Dip one of these delicious gluten-free breads or rolls into the Alfredo sauce!
- Gluten-Free Breadsticks – Crispy and perfect for dipping.
- Easy Gluten-Free Garlic Knots – These have a delicious, buttery garlic flavor.
- Gluten-Free Focaccia Bread – Baked with fresh Italian herbs.
Storage Tips:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator. This fish Alfredo will keep fresh for up to 3 days. You can freeze this, but the pasta will thaw out with a different texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
It is now possible to make this recipe dairy-free, thanks to the introduction of a dairy-free heavy cream. Most grocery stores carry So Delicious and other brands in the same dairy refrigerated cases as regular heavy cream. Also, use vegan butter and dairy-free parmesan cheese (VioLife makes a great vegan parmesan cheese).
You can use any seafood for this recipe. I like cod because it breaks up easily into chunks, but you can also use shrimp, scallops, salmon, or any other type of seafood you prefer.
If you love seafood as much as we do, you must give this thick and creamy gluten free Oyster Chowder and this easy Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Tilapia recipe a try, too!
Sides To Serve With Cod:
If you are wondering what to serve with this seafood alfredo, how about one of these easy gluten free side dish recipes?
- Grandma’s Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon. Even the kids will eat these Brussels sprouts!
- This Kale and Apple Salad is wildly popular on my blog.
- Roasted Fava Beans are also delicious with cod.
Love This Cod Alfredo Recipe?
💬 Did you make this gluten-free recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out—and which pan or flour blend you used! Your feedback helps others (and helps me keep improving these recipes for you). ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Creamy Gluten-Free Cod Alfredo – Ready in 30 Minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound cod filets * see note
- 12 ounces gluten-free pasta
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream * see note
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic * see note
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil
- salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Heat a large pot of water to boil.
- When the water is boiling, add 12 ounces gluten-free pasta and cook following the pasta directions. Cook one minute less than the package instructions say. This will help prevent it from getting mushy.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat.
- Open the cod and remove it from the package. Use a paper towel to pat it dry. Add 1 pound of cod filets and 2 tablespoons of fresh basil. Cook 5 minutes on each side.
- If your cod is frozen, you need to thaw it first.
- Drain the fish juices and chop the cod into large pieces with a spatula.
- In a large saucepan, heat 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 4 tablespoons unsalted butter.
- Whisk often once it starts to boil gently.
- Add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, turn the heat to simmer, and keep whisking to stir out any lumps.
- Add cooked pasta and cod to the sauce and toss to coat.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Use gluten-free dry pasta or fresh pasta for this recipe. I love Trader Joe’s fresh gluten free pasta in their refrigerated section. Whatever gluten-free pasta you choose to make, it is important to follow the cooking directions on the box. Every brand has different cook times.
- My kids love this recipe with cod, but you can use any mild seafood or shellfish, such as shrimp. Always check the fish for bones!
- I recommend heavy cream, which is a staple in Alfredo sauce. I do not recommend using half-and-half because it won’t thicken as much.
- You can use fresh or jarred minced garlic. In a pinch, you can also use garlic powder.
- This recipe will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
This recipe was updated from an older March 2015 post, which included more detailed recipe information.
I am the pickiest eater! I was looking for a seafood dish that’s different from the dishes I tend to stick by. This meal was absolutely perfect! I added peas right into the sauce and it was divine! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
I am so glad you enjoyed it. My daughter is pretty picky and loves this too, though without peas :-).
I was looking for a recipe using cod in a Fettuccine Alfredo dish. This was just about perfect. I used half & half instead of heavy cream to lighten it up a bit. I also doubled the garlic and parmesan to kick it up a notch and squeezed in the juice of half a lemon and gave it a toss just before serving. Thanks!
I am so glad you liked this recipe Gary. I love your changes to take it up a notch. I can’t wait to try your suggestions!
Oh my! Cod AND Fettuccini mixed all in one meal?! I think I’m in heaven!! I gotta try this recipe for sure. YUM
Enjoy Shari 🙂