
A vibrant and effortless weeknight dinner featuring tender barramundi fillets baked in a bold, briny tomato sauce. Roasted baby potatoes and fresh fennel complete this Mediterranean-inspired feast, all made in a single pan for easy cleanup.
Preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F) or 200°C (390°F) for fan-forced settings.
In a large mixing bowl, toss the baby potatoes with half of the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly onto a rimmed baking tray or a 9x13 inch pan and roast for 20 minutes until they begin to soften.
While the potatoes are roasting, use the same mixing bowl to combine the sliced fennel, cherry tomatoes, olives, minced garlic, capers, anchovies, canned tomatoes, chili flakes, and dried oregano.
Remove the tray from the oven, add the puttanesca sauce mixture, and toss it with the potatoes. Return the tray to the oven and roast for another 10 minutes.
Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Arrange the fish on top of the sauce and potatoes, drizzle with the remaining olive oil, and bake for 15 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Remove from the oven and finish with a final drizzle of olive oil. Scatter fresh basil leaves and any reserved fennel fronds over the top. Serve immediately with warm, crusty bread to soak up the juices.
For the best results, ensure the fish fillets are of similar thickness so they cook evenly. If you prefer a milder sauce, you can reduce the amount of chili flakes or omit them entirely. Any firm white fish like cod, snapper, or sea bass can be used as a substitute for barramundi.