GrittyChef
/
Recipes
/
/
Cod Mornay Recipe
"
Cheese sauce is absolutely divine!|Best cod dish I've made!|Perfectly flaky fish every time!|Nutmeg adds wonderful depth here!|Restaurant quality on a budget!|Husband requests this weekly now!|Sauce coats beautifully, not runny!|Simple ingredients, impressive results delivered!
"
Cod Mornay Recipe
Signature
Featured

Cod Mornay Recipe

Learn how to make cod mornay recipe with this quick and easy guide. Discover how to cook tender cod in creamy cheese sauce for a delicious dinner. Perfect cod mornay recipe ready in 30 minutes.

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

35 minutes

Serve

4

Kcal

420
Rate this recipe
★★★★★
—★★★★★No ratings yet

Ingredients

Directions

  • 600g cod fillets, skinless and boneless
  • 500ml whole milk
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 black peppercorns
  • 1 small onion, peeled and halved
  • 50g unsalted butter
  • 40g plain flour
  • 100g Gruyère cheese, finely grated (or Emmental)
  • 30g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and white pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp melted butter for topping
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

  1. Step 1

    Begin by preparing your cod fillets. Pat them dry with kitchen paper and check carefully for any remaining bones, removing them with clean tweezers if needed. Cut the fillets into 4 equal portions if they're not already portioned. Set aside while you prepare the infused milk.

  2. Step 2

    Pour the milk into a medium saucepan and add the bay leaf, black peppercorns, and onion halves. Place over medium heat and bring just to the point where small bubbles appear around the edges—don't let it boil. Once it reaches this stage, remove from heat, cover with a lid, and let it infuse for 10 minutes. This gentle infusion will add subtle aromatics to your mornay sauce.

  3. Step 3

    While the milk is infusing, preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly butter a baking dish large enough to hold your cod fillets in a single layer—roughly 20cm x 25cm should work perfectly.

  4. Step 4

    Strain the infused milk through a fine-mesh sieve into a jug, discarding the aromatics. This flavoured milk will be the base of your mornay sauce.

  5. Step 5

    In the same saucepan (give it a quick wipe if needed), melt the 50g of butter over medium heat. Once melted and gently bubbling, add the flour all at once. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon or whisk for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste—this paste is called a roux. It should smell biscuity and turn a very pale golden colour, but don't let it brown.

  6. Step 6

    Remove the pan from the heat and begin adding the infused milk gradually, starting with just a splash. Whisk vigorously after each addition until smooth before adding more. This patience prevents lumps from forming. Once you've added about half the milk and the mixture is smooth, you can add the remaining milk more quickly, whisking continuously.

  7. Step 7

    Return the pan to medium heat and cook the sauce, stirring constantly, for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens beautifully and coats the back of your spoon. You'll know it's ready when you can draw a line through the sauce on the spoon and it holds for a moment. The sauce should have a glossy, silky appearance.

  8. Step 8

    Remove from heat and stir in 75g of the Gruyère cheese and 20g of the Parmesan, reserving the rest for topping. Add the nutmeg and Dijon mustard, stirring until the cheese has completely melted into the sauce. Taste and season with salt and white pepper—remember that the cheese adds saltiness, so season carefully.

  9. Step 9

    Arrange the cod fillets in your prepared baking dish, spacing them evenly. Season the fish lightly with a pinch of salt and white pepper. Pour the mornay sauce over the cod, ensuring each piece is generously covered. The sauce should pool around the fish slightly.

  10. Step 10

    In a small bowl, mix the remaining Gruyère and Parmesan with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the sauced cod. Drizzle the melted butter over the breadcrumb topping—this will help it turn gloriously golden and crispy.

  11. Step 11

    Place the dish in the preheated oven on the middle shelf and bake for 20-25 minutes. The cod is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the top is golden brown and bubbling around the edges. If you'd like an extra-crispy top, pop it under a hot grill for the final 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

  12. Step 12

    Remove from the oven and let it rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of colour and freshness. Serve immediately with your choice of steamed green beans, buttered new potatoes, or a crisp green salad.
FAQ for
Cod Mornay Recipe

What ingredients are used in Cod Mornay Recipe?

Cod Mornay uses cod fillets, whole milk infused with bay leaf and peppercorns, butter, flour, Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses, nutmeg, Dijon mustard, breadcrumbs, and fresh parsley for a creamy, elegant dish.

How to cook Cod Mornay Recipe from Restaurant Name at home?

Learn how to cook cod mornay recipe by infusing milk with aromatics, making a roux-based cheese sauce with Gruyère and Parmesan, pouring it over cod fillets, topping with breadcrumbs and cheese, then baking at 200°C until golden and bubbling for 20-25 minutes.

What's the best cheese to use for mornay sauce?

Gruyère is the classic choice for mornay sauce due to its excellent melting properties and nutty flavour. Combined with Parmesan, it creates a rich, savoury sauce. Emmental makes a suitable substitute if Gruyère is unavailable.

Can you make fish mornay with frozen cod fillets?

Yes, you can use frozen cod fillets. Ensure they're completely thawed and thoroughly patted dry with kitchen paper before use. Excess moisture can make the sauce watery, so removing all water is essential for the best results.

What temperature should cod be cooked to in the oven?

Cod should reach an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F) and flake easily with a fork. When baked in mornay sauce at 200°C for 20-25 minutes, the fish will be perfectly cooked, tender, and moist throughout.

Notes on
Cod Mornay Recipe
The calorie count is an approximation and can vary based on exact measurements and specific ingredients used. Always consult nutritional information if strict adherence to calorie counts is required. This recipe has been independently developed for home cooking.
✨Try GrittyChef

Love This Recipe?
Create Your Own in 10 Seconds

Get unlimited personalized recipes tailored to your exact preferences with GrittyChef.

Create My Recipe→
✓8,400+ users
✓Cancel anytime
✓$7/month
156 creating now
⭐ PREMIUM

Personal Recipe Generator

Create delicious recipes instantly

🔥Popular Recipes
🍔 Cheeseburger
🍕 Pizza
🥓 Burrito

Customize Your Recipe

Select your cooking preferences

Grilling
Baking
Frying
Steaming
Mild
Medium
Hot
Keto
Vegan
Paleo
2
4
6
8

GrittyChef is Cooking...

Creating your perfect recipe ✨

👨‍🍳

Chef's Kiss!

Your recipe is ready

Get ready to cook something delicious

👨‍🍳 GrittyChef AI Chef

🍔 Classic Cheeseburger

⏱️ 20 mins
👥 4 servings
🔥 Hot
🛒Ingredients
  • ✓1.5 lbs ground beef
  • ✓4 burger buns
  • ✓4 cheddar slices
  • ✓Lettuce, tomato
👨‍🍳Instructions
1
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Recipe","@id":"https://www.grittychef.com/recipes/cod-mornay-recipe#recipe","name":"Cod Mornay Recipe","image":["https://cdn.leonardo.ai/users/4a58fbf3-54bf-417d-a8aa-9bdd9b72d9ff/generations/d5b080ed-09a7-4c8c-8049-61239a3d85d9/segments/1:1:1/Phoenix_10_Image_Description_A_classic_Frenchstyle_cod_mornay__0.jpg"],"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Peter Martin","jobTitle":"Chef","url":"https://www.grittychef.com"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"GrittyChef","url":"https://www.grittychef.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68179523ed0aeea15c49bade/690376118ebfd7be919eabab_gritty-chef-logo.png"}},"datePublished":"2026-08-20","dateModified":"2026-08-20","description":"Learn how to make cod mornay recipe with this quick and easy guide. Discover how to cook tender cod in creamy cheese sauce for a delicious dinner. Perfect cod mornay recipe ready in 30 minutes.","url":"https://www.grittychef.com/recipes/cod-mornay-recipe","prepTime":"PT15M","cookTime":"PT35M","totalTime":"PT50M","keywords":"cheese sauce, white fish, baked seafood, gruyere","recipeYield":"4 servings","recipeCategory":"Main Course","recipeCuisine":"French","cookingMethod":"Baking","nutrition":{"@type":"NutritionInformation","calories":"420 calories","carbohydrateContent":"18 g","proteinContent":"42 g","fatContent":"27 g","saturatedFatContent":"16 g","cholesterolContent":"135 mg","sodiumContent":"580 mg","sugarContent":"7 g","servingSize":"1 serving"},"recipeIngredient":["600g cod fillets, skinless and boneless","500ml whole milk","1 bay leaf","6 black peppercorns","1 small onion, peeled and halved","50g unsalted butter","40g plain flour","100g Gruyère cheese, finely grated (or Emmental)","30g Parmesan cheese, finely grated","1/4 tsp ground nutmeg","1/2 tsp Dijon mustard","Salt and white pepper to taste","2 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs","1 tbsp melted butter for topping","Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish"],"recipeInstructions":[{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Prepare cod fillets","text":"Begin by preparing your cod fillets. Pat them dry with kitchen paper and check carefully for any remaining bones, removing them with clean tweezers if needed. Cut the fillets into 4 equal portions if they're not already portioned. Set aside while you prepare the infused milk."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Infuse the milk","text":"Pour the milk into a medium saucepan and add the bay leaf, black peppercorns, and onion halves. Place over medium heat and bring just to the point where small bubbles appear around the edges—don't let it boil. Once it reaches this stage, remove from heat, cover with a lid, and let it infuse for 10 minutes. This gentle infusion will add subtle aromatics to your mornay sauce."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Preheat oven","text":"While the milk is infusing, preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly butter a baking dish large enough to hold your cod fillets in a single layer—roughly 20cm x 25cm should work perfectly."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Strain infused milk","text":"Strain the infused milk through a fine-mesh sieve into a jug, discarding the aromatics. This flavoured milk will be the base of your mornay sauce."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Make the roux","text":"In the same saucepan (give it a quick wipe if needed), melt the 50g of butter over medium heat. Once melted and gently bubbling, add the flour all at once. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon or whisk for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste—this paste is called a roux. It should smell biscuity and turn a very pale golden colour, but don't let it brown."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Add milk gradually","text":"Remove the pan from the heat and begin adding the infused milk gradually, starting with just a splash. Whisk vigorously after each addition until smooth before adding more. This patience prevents lumps from forming. Once you've added about half the milk and the mixture is smooth, you can add the remaining milk more quickly, whisking continuously."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Thicken the sauce","text":"Return the pan to medium heat and cook the sauce, stirring constantly, for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens beautifully and coats the back of your spoon. You'll know it's ready when you can draw a line through the sauce on the spoon and it holds for a moment. The sauce should have a glossy, silky appearance."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Add cheese and seasonings","text":"Remove from heat and stir in 75g of the Gruyère cheese and 20g of the Parmesan, reserving the rest for topping. Add the nutmeg and Dijon mustard, stirring until the cheese has completely melted into the sauce. Taste and season with salt and white pepper—remember that the cheese adds saltiness, so season carefully."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Arrange fish in dish","text":"Arrange the cod fillets in your prepared baking dish, spacing them evenly. Season the fish lightly with a pinch of salt and white pepper. Pour the mornay sauce over the cod, ensuring each piece is generously covered. The sauce should pool around the fish slightly."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Add breadcrumb topping","text":"In a small bowl, mix the remaining Gruyère and Parmesan with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the sauced cod. Drizzle the melted butter over the breadcrumb topping—this will help it turn gloriously golden and crispy."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Bake until golden","text":"Place the dish in the preheated oven on the middle shelf and bake for 20-25 minutes. The cod is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the top is golden brown and bubbling around the edges. If you'd like an extra-crispy top, pop it under a hot grill for the final 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Rest and serve","text":"Remove from the oven and let it rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of colour and freshness. Serve immediately with your choice of steamed green beans, buttered new potatoes, or a crisp green salad."}],"aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":4.9,"bestRating":5,"worstRating":1,"ratingCount":1},"review":[{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Peter Martin"},"datePublished":"2026-08-20","reviewBody":"The infused milk base elevates this mornay to restaurant quality, while the Gruyère and Parmesan create an irresistibly silky, nutty sauce.","name":"Chef's Rating","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":4.9,"bestRating":5,"worstRating":1}}]}
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What ingredients are used in Cod Mornay Recipe?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Cod Mornay uses cod fillets, whole milk infused with bay leaf and peppercorns, butter, flour, Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses, nutmeg, Dijon mustard, breadcrumbs, and fresh parsley for a creamy, elegant dish." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How to cook Cod Mornay Recipe from Restaurant Name at home?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Learn how to cook cod mornay recipe by infusing milk with aromatics, making a roux-based cheese sauce with Gruyère and Parmesan, pouring it over cod fillets, topping with breadcrumbs and cheese, then baking at 200°C until golden and bubbling for 20-25 minutes." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the best cheese to use for mornay sauce?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Gruyère is the classic choice for mornay sauce due to its excellent melting properties and nutty flavour. Combined with Parmesan, it creates a rich, savoury sauce. Emmental makes a suitable substitute if Gruyère is unavailable." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you make fish mornay with frozen cod fillets?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, you can use frozen cod fillets. Ensure they're completely thawed and thoroughly patted dry with kitchen paper before use. Excess moisture can make the sauce watery, so removing all water is essential for the best results." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What temperature should cod be cooked to in the oven?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Cod should reach an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F) and flake easily with a fork. When baked in mornay sauce at 200°C for 20-25 minutes, the fish will be perfectly cooked, tender, and moist throughout." } } ] }
Copy Ingredients
Save
Saved
Modify