Creamy Garlic Cod and Shrimp Skillet
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets, about 5–6 ounces each
- 8 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken or seafood broth
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach, optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the seafood: Pat the cod and shrimp dry with paper towels. Season the cod with paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Sear the cod: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cod and cook for about 3–4 minutes per side, until lightly golden. Transfer the cod to a plate. It will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the same skillet. Cook for about 1–2 minutes per side, just until pink and nearly cooked through. Remove them and set aside with the cod.
- Build the garlic sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the butter. Stir in the shallot and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Add the cream and broth: Pour in the heavy cream and broth. Stir in the Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Make it creamy: Add the Parmesan gradually, stirring until melted and the sauce becomes smooth. Simmer gently for about 3–5 minutes. Avoid boiling vigorously so the cream doesn’t separate.
- Add the spinach: If using spinach, stir it into the sauce and cook until wilted.
- Return the cod and shrimp: Carefully place the cod and shrimp back into the skillet. Spoon the creamy garlic sauce over the seafood. Cover loosely and cook for another 3–5 minutes, until the cod flakes easily and the shrimp are fully cooked.
- Finish with lemon: Stir in the lemon juice and taste the sauce. Adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Helpful Tips
Use cod fillets of similar thickness so they cook evenly. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of broth. For a lighter flavor, replace some of the heavy cream with additional broth, although the sauce will be less rich.
This skillet is delicious served over rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or alongside steamed vegetables and crusty bread for soaking up the garlic-Parmesan sauce.
