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    BeeyondCereal » Recipes » One Pot Meals

    Tilapia with Spinach and Tomatoes

    Modified: Oct 18, 2023 Published: Jul 14, 2021 by Nicole Durham This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    This easy dinner dish can go from prep to table in under 30 minutes. Made with Tilapia fillets, a creamy sauce, cheese, fresh spinach, and cherry red tomatoes, every bite is an explosion of flavor. It's no wonder how Tilapia with Spinach and Tomatoes became such a huge favorite around here.

    Recipe: $11.98 | Per Serving: $3.00 | Servings: 4

    a baking dish filled with creamy tilapia with cherry red tomatoes.

    I have since made this baked tilapia with spinach recipe a few times, and every time I make it, I get rave reviews from the family. I have even learned the hard way that I have to double the amount and use two 9x13's instead of one because everyone wants second helpings... or thirds.

    From the soft tilapia to the creamy cheesy sauce, tangy acidic tomatoes, and earthy spinach, every bite is a symphony of flavors. It's perfect for a "lighter" dinner option and it pairs perfectly with cooked yellow rice or Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta and Zucchini Penne Pasta.

    For more fishy recipes, check out my Not So Smoked Trout Dip.

    Jump to:
    • 🍯 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🔪 Instructions for Tilapia with Spinach and Tomatoes
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️ More Delicious Main Dish Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍯 Why This Recipe Works

    1. It's fast and simple. This baked tilapia casserole is so easy and quick to throw together that it's perfect for a simple dinner after a long hectic day.
    2. A comfort meal like no other. The flavors are also comforting and simple, making it a welcomed meal to come home to. I love to serve it up with a side of rice or pasta, to keep things simple.
    3. It's adaptable. You can swap out some of the cheeses, add more or fewer tomatoes, or switch up the seasonings a bit too. I've found this dish to be pretty forgiving when I'm mixing things up.

    🥘 Ingredients

    Ingredient Notes:

    Fresh Spinach- Using fresh spinach is ideal because it's a lot easier to portion and place around the pan. Frozen/thawed/canned spinach doesn't turn out nearly as well.

    Use up leftover spinach in our Smoked Salmon and Spinach Quiche, Easy Spinach Bacon Quiche, or Scrambled Eggs with Spinach and Tomatoes.

    Tilapia Fillets- You can use room temp or frozen tilapia fillets for this recipe because they cook pretty quickly.

    Mayo- I recommend using a good mayo brand like Hellman's or Dukes, but any of them will work fine. Do not use a miracle whip.

    Cherry Tomatoes- I LOVE the bright red color these bring to the dish, but even more than that, they bring an acidic kick of flavor that helps to really bring the flavors full circle.

    For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.

    📖 Variations

    This tilapia with spinach and tomatoes recipe is quite forgiving, allowing for slight variations without sacrificing flavor. For instance, if you're out of mozzarella cheese, feel free to substitute extra parmesan cheese or an asiago blend – both work wonderfully.

    Tomato Options- While cherry tomatoes lend a burst of acidity and vibrant color to the dish, you can omit them if you're not a fan. However, I find that their flavor enhances the overall dish. If you're feeling adventurous, you might even consider trying sun-dried tomatoes for a different twist on the recipe.

    🔪 Instructions for Tilapia with Spinach and Tomatoes

    Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.

    Step 2: Lay 3 handfuls of washed spinach leaves in the bottom of the baking dish.

    Step 3: Top with pads of cubed cold butter.

    Step 4: Top the butter with your tilapia fillets, trying to avoid as much overlap as possible.

    first 3 steps to make the tilapia dinner, add spinach to baking dish, top with butter, and then add tilapia fillets.

    Step 5: In a small bowl, mix together the mayo, sour cream, and seasonings until well mixed.

    Step 6: Spread the mixture over the top of the tilapia fillets evenly with a rubber spatula.

    step 4 and 5 for making creamy tilapia, make the cream sauce and spread it over the fish fillets.

    Step 7: Sprinkle your shredded cheeses on the top of the cream mixture.

    Step 8: Top it off by sprinkling the halved cherry tomatoes over the cheese.

    Step 9: Bake in the oven at 450 degrees F for 20 minutes or until the tilapia's internal temperature has reached 145 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.

    steps 6, 7, and 8 for makeing tilapia. top with cheese, add tomatoes and bake.

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    1. Cooking Time- The cooking time for your tilapia fillets may vary lightly depending on their thickness. If your fillets are thicker, you may need to adjust the cooking time by a few minutes.
    2. Fresh vs. Frozen Tilapia- Whether you use fresh or frozen tilapia, the recipe will turn out delicious. Just ensure that the scales have been removed, as they're not typically desired in the final dish.

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    What goes well with spinach and tilapia casserole?

    Because this baked tilapia and spinach recipe already contains veggies and protein, I think the only thing missing is a nice carb. Serving this casserole up with simple garlic and parmesan pasta or buttered noodles is a great way to accompany the dish without overpowering it.

    Can I make tilapia and spinach casserole in advance?

    Yes, you can make this dish in advance, simply place it into a baking dish as instructed and then cover the pan with a lid or foil until ready to bake. Let the pan sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking so that you aren't sticking a cold baking dish into the hot oven. You can use this time to preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

    How long are creamy tilapia leftovers good for?

    Your fish leftovers are good for about 3 days. Simply reheat in the oven or in the microwave until warmed through before eating. The leftovers for this recipe taste almost as good as the day they were first made.

    a serving plate filled with spinach, tilapia, tomatoes and pasta.

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    If you tried Creamy Tilapia and Spinach with Cherry Tomatoes, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!

    📖 Recipe

    a serving of creamy tilapia with spinach and cherry tomatoes on a plate with pasta noodles.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Tilapia with Spinach and Tomatoes

    This easy dinner dish can go from prep to table in under 30 minutes. Made with Tilapia fillets, a creamy sauce, cheese, fresh spinach, and cherry red tomatoes, every bite is an explosion of flavor. It's no wonder how it became such a huge favorite around here.
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 500kcal
    Cost Recipe $11.98 / Serving $3.00
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 9x13 Baking Dish
    • Small Bowl
    • Rubber Spatula

    Ingredients

    • 3 handfuls spinach leaves, (4 ounces) ($0.79)
    • ¼ cup butter, cubed ($0.50)
    • 4-5 tilapia fillets, depending on size, *fresh or frozen ($5.29)
    • ½ cup mayonnaise ($0.45)
    • ½ cup sour cream ($0.50)
    • ½ teaspoon salt ($0.01)
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper ($0.02)
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder ($0.08)
    • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded ($0.99)
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded ($0.37)
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved ($2.98)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and grease inside of a 9x13 baking dish.
    • In the bottom of the baking dish, lay 3 handfuls of clean spinach leaves. Evenly space the pads of butter over the spinach.
    • Lay the tilapia fillets over the top of the butter, avoiding as much overlap as you can. Some is okay and unavoidable, but less overlap is best.
    • In a small bowl, mix together the mayo, sour cream, and seasonings.
    • Spread this mixture over the top of the tilapia fillets evenly with a rubber spatula.
    • Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the creamy mixture. Top with the halved cherry tomatoes.
    • Bake at 450 degrees F for 20 minutes or until internal tilapia temperature reaches 145 degrees F with an instant read thermometer.

    Notes

    • Variations: Substitute mozzarella with extra parmesan or asiago blend, and consider adding cherry tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and color.
    • Make Ahead: Prepare the dish in a baking dish, cover, and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
    • Reheating: Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or microwave for up to three days while retaining their flavor.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1fillet | Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.5g | Protein: 35.4g | Fat: 38.2g | Saturated Fat: 13.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9.7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 115.2mg | Sodium: 775.5mg | Potassium: 583.3mg | Fiber: 1.1g | Sugar: 0.8g | Vitamin A: 277.1IU | Vitamin C: 6.7mg | Calcium: 354.6mg | Iron: 1.5mg
    Author Nicole Durham
    Course dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used. To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.


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    The proud owner and recipe developer behind BeeyondCereal. Here, I'm passionate about showing people how to navigate the kitchen with frugality in mind, whipping up family-friendly recipes that not only save money but also bring joy to every meal.

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