{MAKE IT} Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

I was looking for an easy dinner recipe that didn’t come out of a box, and that I would make with ingredients I actually had on hand. I’ve had this recipe pinned for some time and it instantly came to mind when I was deciding what to make for dinner. I typically add my own spin to most recipes that I try, and this one was no different. Thankfully its versatility allowed me to do so. This recipe was remarkably quick to prepare (including a quick defrost of the fish), used very few ingredients (with little mess), and was a hit with all 4 of us! Win – win!

The tilapia was tender and moist, and the topping was flavourful with just the right amount of crunch. I paired this delicious white fish with rice and broccoli, but would complement just about any side. The prep time for this recipe was minimal as there’s only 9 easy ingredients, none of which required any real effort. The entire time to make this dish was about 20 minutes start to finish, and that includes thawing the tilapia filets that I had! I seriously recommend you make this, especially if you like cheesy, creamy, crunchy goodness. It’ll please even a non-fish liker!

So, without further ado, here you go!

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

as adapted from MaMa’s Supper Club Tilapia Parmesan

Ingredients:

Servings:4

4 tilapia fillets (or whatever white fish you have on hand)
1/2 fresh lemon (or aprox 2 Tbsps)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 teaspoons coconut oil or butter at room temp. (I used 2 extra virgin and 2 virgin to add some coconut flavour)
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 Tbsp bread crumbs
Pepper to taste
Smoked paprika to taste (I put this on everything!)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Put half of the Oil/Butter in the bottom of a baking dish, large enough for a single layer of fillets
Place fillets in baking dish and squeeze/pour lemon juice on top of the fish
Place baking dish on center rack of the oven and bake until fish is tender and flaky. Baking time will depend on your oven and if you’re fish is fresh or frozen, but this time will likely be between 8-15 minutes
In a small bowl combine cheese, remaining oil/butter, mayonnaise, and seasonings
Mix well with fork until combined
When fish is done, take out of the oven and switch oven to broil.
Spread cheese mixture on to of fish, sprinkle bread crumbs on top and broil until golden brown and slightly crispy on top, about 3 – 5 minutes.

note: Make sure you watch the fish well when under the broiler. The crust will brown very quickly and you certainly don’t want it to burn!