This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.
This poached cod with creamy orzo is a no-fail fish and pasta recipe that is SO easy to make and can be ready in 30 minutes!
Poached Cod
This meal may sound fancy and intimidating to make, BUT you can totally whip this up even if you have a baby and toddler at your feet, pulling down your pants.
In 30 minutes, you will be enjoying this creamy, velvety pasta with the most tender cod with your entire family! It’s thick enough to be scooped up with tiny hands, making it perfect for baby led weaning ;).
If you love this don’t pass on this Greek chicken orzo bake!
And here’s another creamy one pot orzo with chicken that you must try! If you love easy, all-in-one meals, these 20 easy one pot meals for families are full of flavorful, fuss free ideas.
Table of Contents
What is the best way to cook cod for babies?
First of all, cod can be introduced as soon as baby is ready for solids, usually around 6 months. If you’re unsure whether or not your baby is developmentally ready to start solids, sign up below!
Is your baby 6 months old and up?
Learn all the secrets to starting solids safely while optimizing nutrition!
Cod is an excellent source of B12, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and iodine. It’s great for supporting optimal brain development and immune system.
Poaching is one of the best way to cook cod, or any fish, for babies!
The gentle cooking method helps keep the flesh super moist and retain as much nutrients as possible.
Should You Poach fish in milk or water?
Poached fish is seriously SO easy to do! Simpler than baking or pan-frying, in my opinion!
I highly advise you to poach in milk (along with tomatoes, aromatics, etc.). This lean delicate, mild-tasting fish will just suck up all that rich flavor!
What pan to use?
You will need a deep skillet as higher sides will ensure there’s plenty of room for all the ingredients and keep them submerged.
If you do a lot of one pot meals like I do, THIS pan..oh man, it’s worth EVERY penny. My husband recently bought this for me, and I’m not kidding when I say the dishes come out more evenly cooked, moist and flavorful!
I also love that it has a tempered glass lid that makes it perfect to keep an eye on how everything’s cooking.
Clean up is a breeze too! Enameled cast iron is a nonstick coating that I feel good about using for my family. The only downside is it’s a bit on the heavy side but hey! I could use some arm exercise ;).
If you’re not ready to make the investment, make sure the skillet is it’s at least 12 inches wide
Ingredients
Cod: I like to use the frozen, wild-caught from Alaska. It’s always in my freezer for quick weeknight meals. You can also use other white fish or salmon.
Orzo: I LOVE using orzo for a quick weeknight meal! You can cook it like risotto without having to stir constantly. The starch from orzo helps thicken a creamy sauce. Thick sauce is everything when it comes to baby led weaning as it helps bind other ingredients, so less chance of pasta, tiny grains (like quinoa), lentils, etc. flying across the room. Can I get an amen? 😉
Baby bok choy: this cruciferous vegetable is a common ingredient in Asian cuisine. It has a mild, cabbage-like flavor. You can substitute with green cabbage or spinach if you wish.
Coconut milk: Use unsweetened FULL FAT that comes in a can not carton.
How to serve to babies and kids
For babies, bigger is safer as you can see in the above photo. Regardless of whether or not your baby uses it, always offer a spoon. Early exposure is key. I’ve included details of this spoon in my BLW essentials post.
My son prefers his fish flaked, otherwise he’d just spit it out. Oh toddlerhood.
Storage suggestions
Transfer to an air-tight container and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. If planning to freeze, skip the cod and freeze just the orzo for up to 3 months.
More Seafood recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Poached cod with creamy orzo
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 15 ounce can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounce can full fat unsweetened coconut milk
- 8 ounces orzo
- 2 bunches baby bok choy , (roughly chop the leafy part, dice the stem )
- 2-3 (4-6 ounce) cod fillet
- lime juice, green onion (or cilantro or parsley)
Instructions
- Heat butter. Add onion and cook for 3-5 minutes, until softened
- Add garlic and corinader and combine for 30 seconds or so.
- Add bok choy and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add tomatoes and coconut milk. Bring to a boil. Add orzo and give everything a good stir.
- Reduce heat to medium-low to low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan
- Prepare cod: Remove any excess moisture by blotting the cod with paper or kitchen towel.
- Before adding cod, make sure there's some liquid in the pan. If not, add some water. Add cod, nestling in the orzo. Cover the pan and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Add freshly squeezed lime juice and green onion. Enjoy immediately!
This recipe is magic. It’s surprisingly easy to make despite seeming much more intricate when eating it, it’s healthy and nourishing, and my 4yo and almost 2yo eat so much we have to start doubling the recipe. Thank you for this!
You’re welcome!! This is one of our go-tos too!
Looking forward to trying this with my family! We have no food allergies and my youngest is now 3 years old. Instead of using g full fat coconut milk, could the “lite” version be used instead?
You can but I recommend using full fat – the dish will be more creamy and rich!
Amazing!! My 3 years old and 1 years old loved it. My 3 years old asked for more. It hard for me to make her eat fish and this recepy has it quite alot cos! I also really enjoyed it however to did not put green onion. I did try but prefer without it. My partner did not eat but he is fussy eater who likes only meat and potatoes. Def worth trying! The most important my girls loved it.
Fantastic recipe! The orzo was so creamy, extra good the next day. I used cod but looking forward to trying this out with salmon. Very easy to make with minimal clean up. Thank you, Min!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this meal too! Thank you so much for being here and for trying out so many of my recipes!
Any substitute for orzo? (Daughter is gluten sensitive).
Jovial brand has really good gluten free orzo!
New favorite dinner & toddler approved
Yay!! So glad to hear that!
Hi Min,
Do you think I could substitute the cod for prawns (aka shrimp)? Would be using frozen prawns with tail on. Just wondering if I should cook prawns first and remove or just throw them in at the end in place of the cod.
Thanks!
You can! and yes add them in at the end no need to cook first!
Does an alternative to coconut milk work for this recipe ?
eg use fresh milk instead of coconut milk ?
You can but the coconut milk adds incredible flavor so you’ll need to add more seasonings (feel free to experiment!)
I just made this recipe tonight and it is amazing…there are no words to how delicious this recipe is. I had no book choy so I stirred in spinach right before adding the cod. I also had no coriander so I didn’t put any in and it was still delicious but next time I will make sure I have either cilantro or green onion on hand! I also added some salt as my toddler is 2.5. It tasted great without but it was next level with a tiny bit of salt!
This was so good! I tweaked it a fair bit – I used chicken instead of fish, and added in mushrooms and capsicum with the onion. I used half coconut milk and half chicken broth, and double the coriander with some added chilli flakes. Added in spinach instead of bok choy 10 mins before it was finished, and it turned out great! Hubby loved it too, very easy and will make again!