Posted on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 in
Seafood Recipes
Delicious Portuguese Cod and Potato Bake with creamy béchamel, veggies, and cheese. Easy Bacalhau com natas recipe for a comforting meal.
| Preparation time | 15 min |
| Cooking Time | 45 min |
| Ready In | 1 h |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 6 Servings |
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Calories | 481 kcal |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Carbs | 44 g |
| Protein | 31 g |
Ingredients
2 pieces salted cod (bacalhau), soaked and desalted4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes2 cloves garlic, minced1 onion, thinly sliced (half-moons)3 carrots, grated1/2 bunch spinach, chopped2 tbsp olive oil1 cup béchamel sauce (about 250 ml)1/2 cup heavy cream (about 125 ml)1 cup grated cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or a mix)Salt and pepper, to tasteOil, for frying
Preparation
- Boil the cod in water for 10 minutes, until cooked through.
- Let it cool slightly, then remove the skin and bones.
- Flake into pieces and set aside.
- Heat oil in a pan and fry the cubed potatoes until golden.
- Drain on paper towels and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté the garlic and onion until softened and fragrant.
- Add the grated carrots and chopped spinach. Cook for 5 minutes until wilted.
- Stir in the flaked cod and fried potatoes and mix gently.
- In a bowl, combine the béchamel sauce with the heavy cream.
- Pour the mixture into the cod and vegetables, mixing well to coat everything.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle with grated cheese.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Recommended Cook Book
Want to master more authentic Portuguese dishes? I learned so many cooking techniques from Taste Portugal 101 Easy Portuguese Recipes—it’s a staple in our kitchen and the perfect companion to the recipes on this site.
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