30 Easy Tilapia Dinners for Busy Weeknights

Blackened Tilapia And Cauliflower Polenta Recipe

Finish this dish with a pop of freshness from a fresh garnish and serve with lemon wedges. Don't worry if you don't have those things on hand—this healthy recipe will still be delicious without them. 

Tilapia Veracruz Recipe

Spanish and Mexican flavors combine in this quick fish dish. Serve with steamed rice and sautéed spinach.

Spicy Tilapia and Fennel Stew Recipe

Arrabbiata, a spicy sauce of garlic, tomato, and chile pepper, forms the base for this stew. You can substitute cod or shrimp for the tilapia. Serve with crusty bread to mop up the sauce.

Cajun Blackened Tilapia Recipe

Mild fish fillets get a boost of bold flavor in this recipe for Cajun Blackened Tilapia.

Crumb-Topped Tilapia Recipe

If you're short on time, try this flavorful tilapia recipe, which can be prepared in under 20 minutes, from All You reader Jodee Morano.

Oven-Fried Tilapia with Cheesy Polenta Recipe

Oven-Fried Tilapia with Cheesy Polenta is an easy dinner combination and delicious way to incorporate fish into your weekly menu rotation.

Natalie's Cajun-Seasoned Pan-Fried Tilapia Recipe

Flavor budget-friendly tilapia fillets with Cajun (or Creole) seasoning, dredge in flour and cornmeal, and pan fry for a quick-cooking weeknight meal. 

Tilapia with Lemon-Garlic Sauce Recipe

Incredibly simple, remarkably delicious--this is an entrée that's elegant enough for entertaining and fast enough to brighten weeknight dinner doldrums. Garnish with parsley sprigs, if desired.

Saffron Rice with Tilapia and Shrimp Recipe

This paella-inspired dish starts by infusing purchased chicken stock with shrimpy goodness; it's an easy step that makes full use of shrimp shells that would otherwise be discarded.

Spicy Hungarian Tilapia Stew Recipe

Talk about packing some heat: This stew is fiery-fantastic, and we absolutely love it. You can alter the spiciness by using a milder pepper (such as banana pepper or Anaheim chile) or adjusting the amounts and types of paprika.

Cornmeal-Crusted Tilapia with Squash Salad Recipe

You just can't beat a crisp breaded fish fillet; this one, with its cornmeal crust, is reminiscent of Southern-fried catfish (but with a sweeter fish at the center).

Sweet and Spicy Citrus Tilapia Recipe

Marinate tilapia fillets in fresh orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, and spices, then broil for just 15 minutes, or until done.

Tilapia Cakes with Mango-Coconut Curry Sauce Recipe

Boasting big, bold global flavors, these crunchy cakes are a fun alternative to salmon croquettes or crab cakes.

Tilapia Piccata Recipe

This piccata recipe calls for tilapia, but you can also substitute most any flaky white fish, or use veal or chicken cutlets. For more quick and easy fish dinners, see our complete collection of fish recipes.

Smoky Tilapia Tacos Recipe

Sustainable Choice

Inexpensive tilapia is readily available and sustainable. Broiling makes this a no-fuss fish dish. The tilapia cooks fast, so make sure all the other components for the taco are ready before you put it under the heat.

Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa and Tomato-Avocado Salad Recipe

For a quick-cooking, light meal, serve your family Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa and Tomato-Avocado Salad. Double the pineapple salsa, and use it to top salads, tacos, or grilled steak or chicken during the week.

Lemon-Lime Tilapia Recipe

This easy seven-ingredient dish brightens tilapia's naturally sweet flavors with a splash of lemon and lime juices, plus salt and pepper to taste. Pair a Fumé Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, or crisp Chardonnay with a tossed green salad and crusty French bread for a light, refreshing supper.

Blackened Tilapia Po’boys Recipe

In place of fried shrimp, spice-rubbed tilapia lightens the calorie load while still harnessing classic Cajun flavors.

Broiled Tilapia Gyros Recipe

Layer Mediterranean-style wheat flatbreads with cooked tilapia, tomato, avocado, red onion, and homemade tzatziki sauce for a hearty and healthy meal that's sure to please.

Blackened Tilapia Baja Tacos Recipe

Make food truck-style fish tacos at home using fresh tilapia, avocado, cilantro and corn tortillas, and top with a creamy onion-jalapeno mixture for amazing flavor.

Tilapia with Quinoa & Black Beans Recipe

Versatile tilapia gets a fun makeover with the addition of quinoa, black beans and sautéed vegetables. The end result is a colorful dish, packed with protein and flavor.

Pan-Seared Tilapia with Mojo Recipe

Homemade mojo sauce lends an irresistibly sweet and smoky flavor to simple tilapia fillets.

Pecan-Crusted Tilapia Recipe

A weeknight favorite, this quick and easy pecan-crusted tilapia serves up moist fish with a crunchy crust.

Pan-Seared Tilapia with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe

To prepare this easy tilapia recipe, simply sear the fish in a skillet, then top with a citrusy white wine-shallot sauce. Sherry vinegar is mildly acidic. If you can't find it, substitute white wine vinegar.

Sautéed Tilapia Tacos with Grilled Peppers and Onion Recipe

These low-fat tilapia tacos feature corn tortillas filled with tender pieces of sautéed  fish, grilled onion,grilled  bell pepper and sliced jalapeño pepper.Slice the onion just before placing it on the grill. If given time to set, the onion rings will begin to separate and will not have good grill marks.

Cornmeal-Crusted Tilapia Salad Recipe

While the ingredient list is long, most of the work is simply measuring out seasonings and prepared ingredients. The dish comes together in less than 30 minutes. Substitute any firm white fish, such as red snapper or flounder, for tilapia.

Seared Tilapia with Spinach and White Bean Orzo Recipe

Feel free to sub another sustainable fish, such as flounder or red snapper, for the tilapia in this versatile dish.

Spiced Tilapia with Coconut Rice Recipe

Two pantry staples—black pepper and turmeric—team up to fight inflammation and add bold flavor to this fast-fix tilapia. Dressing up microwave rice with coconut milk is a smart kitchen hack you’ll turn to again and again.

Blackened Tilapia Tacos with Basil-Lime Mayo Recipe

Firm tilapia can stand up to the simple yet robust spice rub here. Double the basil-mayo mixture and use as a veggie dip or sandwich spread for lunch.

Baked Tilapia with Garlicky Green Beans and Roasted Tomatoes Recipe

Green beans steam in their own sealed packet while tomatoes slowly roast and panko-crusted tilapia gets nicely crisp on top, all on a single baking sheet.