This Garlic Parmesan Orange Roughy recipe is a delightful way to enjoy a mild and flaky fish. The combination of parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and garlic creates a flavorful crust that perfectly complements the tender orange roughy fillets. It's a simple yet elegant dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
If you don't commonly have orange roughy at home, you might need to visit a supermarket or a fish market to find it. This mild white fish is not as widely available as more common varieties like tilapia or cod. Additionally, make sure you have parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs on hand, as these are essential for creating the delicious crust.

Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Orange Roughy Recipe
Orange roughy: A mild, white fish that is flaky and tender.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a rich, savory flavor and helps create a crispy crust.
Breadcrumbs: Provides texture and helps bind the topping.
Butter: Adds richness and helps the topping adhere to the fish.
Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor to the dish.
Basil: A dried herb that adds a subtle, sweet flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the orange roughy, ensure that the fillets are of uniform thickness to promote even cooking. To enhance the flavor, allow the minced garlic to sit in the melted butter for a few minutes before mixing it with the parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. This will infuse the butter with a rich garlic aroma, making the topping more aromatic and flavorful.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
orange roughy - Substitute with tilapia: Tilapia has a mild flavor and flaky texture similar to orange roughy, making it a good alternative.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar salty and nutty flavor profile, though it is slightly sharper.
breadcrumbs - Substitute with panko: Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and crispier, providing a similar texture to regular breadcrumbs.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can provide a similar richness and moisture to the dish while being a healthier fat option.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor that can complement the dish similarly to garlic.
dried basil - Substitute with dried oregano: Dried oregano has a robust flavor that can stand in for basil in many recipes.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a similar salty flavor along with a bit of umami depth.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat but a slightly different flavor profile, making it a good alternative.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
Allow the orange roughy to cool completely before storing. This helps to prevent condensation, which can make the fish soggy.
Transfer the cooled fillets to an airtight container. If stacking the fillets, place a piece of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking.
Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the fish within 2-3 days. For longer storage, proceed to freezing.
To freeze, wrap each fillet individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This extra layer of protection helps to prevent freezer burn.
Place the wrapped fillets in a resealable freezer bag or a freezer-safe container. Label the bag or container with the date to keep track of freshness.
When ready to reheat, thaw the orange roughy in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
Reheat the fillets in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. For a crispier texture, you can broil the fillets for the last 2-3 minutes of reheating.
Serve the reheated garlic parmesan orange roughy with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and a side of steamed vegetables or a green salad.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Reheating Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover orange roughy fillets on a baking sheet.
- Cover the fillets with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
- Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is warmed through.
- Serve immediately, perhaps with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.
Microwave Reheating Method
- Place the leftover orange roughy fillets on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover the fillets with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Let the fish rest for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.
Stovetop Reheating Method
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
- Place the leftover orange roughy fillets in the skillet.
- Cover the skillet with a lid to trap the heat and moisture.
- Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the fish is heated through.
- Serve immediately, perhaps with a squeeze of lemon juice for added freshness.
Air Fryer Reheating Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover orange roughy fillets in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Serve immediately, enjoying the crispy texture that the air fryer provides.
Best Tools for Cooking This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the orange roughy fillets at the required temperature of 400°F (200°C).
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, melted butter, minced garlic, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
Baking sheet: Used to place the orange roughy fillets on for baking.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the butter, dried basil, salt, and black pepper accurately.
Garlic press: Used to mince the garlic cloves efficiently.
Spatula: Used to spread the parmesan mixture evenly over the top of each fillet.
Fork: Used to check if the fish flakes easily, indicating it is fully cooked.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure and prepare all ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use pre-minced garlic: Save time by using store-bought pre-minced garlic instead of mincing fresh cloves.
Line the baking sheet: Use parchment paper or aluminum foil to line the baking sheet for easy cleanup.
Melt butter in microwave: Quickly melt the butter in the microwave instead of on the stove.
Combine dry ingredients early: Mix the parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and spices in advance to save time during assembly.

Garlic Parmesan Orange Roughy Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 fillets Orange Roughy
- ½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- ¼ cup Breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoon Butter, melted
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, melted butter, minced garlic, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
- Place the orange roughy fillets on a baking sheet.
- Spread the Parmesan mixture evenly over the top of each fillet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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