This version of Instant Pot Cod is filled with flavor from the homemade puttanesca sauce! It may sound like a fancy dish but it’s really easy to make and comes together in less than 30 minutes from start to finish! 

Pressure cooking fish has been on my list for a while, but I wanted to make something a little more flavorful and saucy rather than just seasoned cod. 

I immediately thought about revising the traditional Pesce Alla Puttanesca into an Instant Pot recipe. 

Puttanesca sauce is often served over pasta and has powerful, delicious flavors from the anchovy paste and capers. When serving as a seafood recipe it’s best to use a whitefish such as cod, halibut, or sea bass.

Check out some of my other favorite seafood recipes: 

• Pesto Salmon
• Broiled Scallops
• Fish en papillote
• Air Fryer Crab Cakes
• Tuna Pesto Pasta Salad

Ingredients for Instant Pot Cod with Puttanesca

Extra virgin olive oil

Garlic cloves

Tomato paste

Anchovy paste

Salt and Red pepper flakes

Whole tomatoes

Water

Kalamata olives

Capers

Cod fillets

Parsley and Basil

How to Make Cod in the Instant Pot with Puttanesca Sauce

Before pressure cooking, allow the Instant Pot to heat up by turning it on the saute function. Once it’s hot, add the oil and garlic. Let it cook for about 30 seconds. 

Add the tomato paste, anchovy paste, red pepper flakes, and salt. Continue sauteing for another 30 seconds. 

Pour in the whole tomatoes with the juice, water, chopped basil, pitted olives, and capers. Stir well, then press the cancel button. 

Place the cod filets on top of the sauce, put the lid on, and turn the valve to the sealing position. 

Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes, then perform a quick release. 

Serve with fresh parsley and enjoy! 

Serving Recommendations

This recipe goes great over pasta or grains! Adding the cod to this classic dish not only adds omega-3s but has much more protein, and is packed with B vitamins. 

For a lower-carb option, you serve it over a bed of cauliflower rice.

Because it’s so easy to make, I recommend trying to eat it fresh rather than storing for leftovers. 

Can You Swap Fish Sauce For Anchovy Paste? 

It is often used as a substitution, but depending on the quality of the fish sauce your dish may not taste the same. Some fish sauces have a “fishy” taste compared to anchovy paste, so the best recommendation is dialing back the measurement just a bit.

Can I Use Frozen Cod Filets?

As long as they are thawed before you place them in the Instant Pot you can. I have not tested the recipe with placing the frozen fillets in without thawing, so if you do try that please be sure to let me know how it turns out! 

Since we are talking about frozen cod, if you do go that route be sure to grab unbreaded filets. Sometimes the frozen seafood section is hard to sort through! 

Want More Easy Instant Pot Recipes?

• Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
• Instant Pot Shrimp
• Instant Pot Pasta
• Instant Pot Pinto Beans
• Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Instant Pot Cod

This version of Instant Pot Cod is filled with flavor from the homemade puttanesca sauce! It may sound like a fancy dish but it’s really easy to make and comes together in less than 30 minutes from start to finish!

4 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Pressure Cook: 2 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 28-ounce whole tomatoes
• ½ cup water
• 1/3 cup chopped basil
• ¼ cup pitted kalamata olives chopped
• 2 teaspoons capers drained and rinsed
• 2 6-ounce cod fillets
• ¼ cup chopped parsley

Instructions

• Press the saute function on the Instant Pot, allow it to heat up, then add oil. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds.
• Add tomato paste, anchovy paste, salt, and red pepper flakes and saute for 30 seconds.
• Add tomatoes and their juices, water, basil, olive, and capers. Mix well and hit the “cancel” button to stop cooking.
• Add the cod fillets, secure the lid, and cook on high pressure for 2 minutes.
• After cooking, quick release the pressure.
• Serve the cod and puttanesca sauce with fresh parsley.

Video

Notes

Notes: serve over whole grains or pasta