Italian Baked Sea Bass Recipe
Introduction
This Italian baked sea bass is a flavorful and simple dish that brings together roasted peppers, olives, and fresh lemon to complement tender, flaky fish. It’s perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or a special weekend meal.

Ingredients
- About 290g jar whole roasted peppers, drained and sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced into very thin wedges
- Drizzle of olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
- 3 fat slices lemon, plus extra wedges to serve
- 2 sea bass
- 15 Kalamata or black olives
- 25g toasted pine nuts
- Handful roughly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6. Toss the sliced roasted peppers and red onion wedges with seasoning and a small drizzle of olive oil. Spread them evenly on a baking tray and roast for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add the unpeeled garlic cloves and lemon slices to the tray, nestling them among the peppers and onions. Place the sea bass on top of the vegetables, brush the fish with a little more olive oil, and season it well. Roast everything together for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir the Kalamata or black olives and toasted pine nuts into the vegetables on the tray. Return to the oven and roast for an additional 5 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 4: Remove from the oven, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the fish and vegetables, and sprinkle with the chopped parsley before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine before roasting the fish.
- You can substitute sea bass with other firm white fish like cod or snapper.
- To make it spicier, add a pinch of chili flakes when tossing the peppers and onions.
- Use fresh roasted peppers if available for an even better taste.
Storage
Store any leftover baked sea bass in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven at a low temperature to keep the fish tender, or enjoy it cold in a salad the next day.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen sea bass for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen sea bass. Make sure it is fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to ensure even roasting and a good texture.
What can I serve with this Italian baked sea bass?
This dish pairs well with crusty bread, a simple green salad, or steamed vegetables like asparagus or green beans for a light and balanced meal.
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Italian Baked Sea Bass Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Italian baked sea bass recipe combines succulent fish with vibrant roasted peppers, red onions, Kalamata olives, and toasted pine nuts, all infused with garlic and fresh lemon. Perfectly roasted in the oven, this dish delivers Mediterranean flavors with a simple, healthy preparation that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Sea Bass and Marinade
- 2 sea bass
- drizzle olive oil (for brushing and drizzling)
- 3 fat slices lemon, larger slices for roasting and wedges to serve
Vegetables and Accompaniments
- About 290g jar whole roasted peppers, drained and sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced into very thin wedges
- 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
- 15 Kalamata or black olives
- 25g toasted pine nuts
- Handful roughly chopped parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to season)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6 to get it ready for roasting the vegetables and fish.
- Prepare the vegetables: In a large bowl, toss the drained and sliced roasted peppers and thinly sliced red onion with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a small drizzle of olive oil to coat well. Spread them out evenly on a baking tray and roast for 5 minutes to start softening them.
- Add aromatics and lemon slices: After 5 minutes, add the unpeeled garlic cloves and the thick lemon slices to the tray with the vegetables. Stir gently to combine and create a flavorful bed for the fish.
- Prepare and season the fish: Place the sea bass on top of the vegetables. Brush the fish lightly with olive oil and season it generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Roast the fish and vegetables: Roast everything together for 15 minutes until the fish begins to cook through and the vegetables soften further.
- Add olives and pine nuts: Scatter the Kalamata olives and toasted pine nuts over the vegetables around the fish. Roast for an additional 5 minutes until the fish is just cooked through and the toppings are warm and infused with flavors.
- Finish and garnish: Remove from the oven, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the fish and vegetables for brightness, and scatter the chopped parsley on top before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute sea bass with other firm white fish like cod or snapper if preferred.
- Keep the garlic cloves unpeeled to roast gently and infuse a subtle flavor without burning.
- Use fresh lemon wedges on the side for added zest at serving.
- To toast pine nuts at home, gently cook them in a dry pan over medium heat until golden, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Serve with crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian sea bass recipe, baked sea bass, roasted peppers sea bass, Mediterranean fish dish, healthy baked fish

