Buttery Cheesy Basa
Buttery Cheesy Basa is a quick and easy seafood dish featuring tender basa fillets cooked in rich butter and topped with melty cheese. This savory, comforting recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and offers a delicious blend of creamy, cheesy flavors with a hint of zesty lemon and fragrant garlic. Suitable for family meals and adaptable for various dietary preferences, it provides a delightful, indulgent experience in under 30 minutes.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Gluten Free
Fish and Seasonings
- 4 fresh basa fillets (about 6 oz each)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Butter and Aromatics
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or herbs like cilantro, chives, dill, basil, or thyme)
- Prepare the Fish: Rinse the basa fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and a light squeeze of fresh lemon juice to enhance freshness and brightness.
- Sauté Garlic in Butter: Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it as burnt garlic becomes bitter.
- Cook the Basa Fillets: Place the seasoned basa fillets in the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side until the edges turn opaque. Carefully flip the fillets and cook the other side for an additional 3 minutes until cooked through but still tender.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Evenly sprinkle shredded cheese over each fillet in the skillet. Cover the skillet to trap steam and heat, allowing the cheese to melt smoothly and become irresistibly gooey and cheesy.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the cheese has melted, remove the skillet from heat. Garnish the fillets with freshly chopped parsley or your chosen herbs, then serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Choose fresh basa fillets for the best texture and flavor.
- Monitor cooking closely to avoid overcooking; basa cooks quickly and can dry out.
- Use high-quality butter to enhance richness without overwhelming the fish.
- Cover the skillet while melting cheese to ensure even, smooth melting.
- A splash of lemon juice balances the richness and brightens the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 basa fillet with cheese
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: buttery cheesy basa, basa fish recipe, quick seafood dish, easy fish recipe, cheesy fish, buttery fish, family friendly seafood