Fried Catfish
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Introduction
This is a simple, home-style meal: crispy fried catfish 🐟 and a rich, creamy "Million Dollar" spaghetti 🍝. The catfish is soaked in buttermilk 🥛, dredged in cornmeal 🌽, and fried until golden 🍳. The spaghetti mixes marinara 🍅 with ricotta 🧀, mozzarella 🧀, Parmesan 🧀, and Italian seasoning 🌿, then bakes until bubbly. Comfort food that comes together fast and feeds a family.
You can pair this with a bright side salad or a cool fruit dish like this easy fruit salad for balance: fresh fruit salad ideas. 🥗
Why make this recipe?
- Fast, filling, and comforting. ⏲️
- Crispy fish plus creamy pasta gives great contrast. 😋
- Uses pantry staples and simple cheeses. 🧀
How to prepare Fried Catfish and Million Dollar Spaghetti
Follow these two tracks at once: cook the pasta and baking part while you fry the fish. This saves time and keeps the fish crisp. For side ideas, try a light fruit option: fruit side suggestion.
Ingredients:
- 4 catfish fillets 🐟
- 1 cup buttermilk 🥛
- 1 cup cornmeal 🌽
- 1 teaspoon salt 🧂
- 1 teaspoon black pepper ⚫
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola) 🛢️
- 1 pound spaghetti 🍝
- 1 jar marinara sauce 🍅
- 1 cup ricotta cheese 🧀
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 🧀
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 🌿
Instructions:
- Prep the fish: Pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels 🔪. Place fillets in a shallow dish and pour the buttermilk over them. Let sit 15–30 minutes to tenderize 🥛.
- Heat oil: Pour oil into a deep skillet to reach about 1/2 inch depth. Heat over medium-high until hot but not smoking (about 350°F / 175°C) 🍳.
- Dredge fish: In a shallow bowl, mix cornmeal, salt, and black pepper 🌽🧂. Remove fillets from buttermilk, let excess drip, then coat both sides in cornmeal.
- Fry fish: Carefully place fillets in hot oil. Fry 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain 🔥.
- Cook spaghetti: While frying, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water 🍝💧.
- Make sauce mix: In a large bowl, combine marinara sauce, ricotta, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Stir until smooth and creamy 🧀🍅🌿. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen.
- Combine and bake: Toss the drained spaghetti with the sauce mixture until well coated. Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining mozzarella. Bake at 350°F (175°C) 15–20 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles (optional) 🔥🧀.
- Serve: Place fried catfish on top of or beside the baked spaghetti. Garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh parsley if you like 🍽️.
How to serve Fried Catfish and Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Serve hot on large plates. Put a piece of fried catfish on the pasta or next to it 🍽️.
- Add lemon wedges for the catfish and a green salad or simple fruit side for freshness. You can check this fruit salad idea for a light side: bright fruit side 🍋🥗.
How to store Fried Catfish and Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Fridge: Store pasta and catfish separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. ❄️
- Reheat pasta in the oven at 325°F (160°C) until warm, or microwave in short bursts. Reheat fried catfish in a 350°F (175°C) oven on a rack to keep it crisp, about 8–10 minutes. 🔁
- Freezing: You can freeze the spaghetti (without the fried fish) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. 🧊
Tips for preparing Fried Catfish and Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Keep the fish dry before dredging for a better crust 🔪.
- Use enough oil so the pan stays hot when you add the fillets for even frying 🍳.
- If you like a creamier sauce, add a bit more ricotta or a splash of milk 🥛.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying—cook in batches to keep oil temperature steady 🔥.
- For a quicker version, skip baking and toss the hot pasta with the cheese mix, then top with fish. Try pairing this with a light fruit salad for balance: simple fruit idea. 🍎
Variations (if applicable)
- Spicy: Add cayenne or hot sauce to the cornmeal or sauce for heat 🌶️.
- Southern style: Add a pinch of paprika and garlic powder to the cornmeal for more flavor.
- Lighter: Bake the catfish in the oven with a light cornmeal crust instead of frying.
- Vegetarian twist: Replace catfish with fried tofu or roasted vegetables and keep the creamy spaghetti.
FAQs
Q: Can I use a different fish?
A: Yes. Mild white fish like tilapia or cod work well if you can’t find catfish 🐟.
Q: Is this dish spicy?
A: No, the base recipe is not spicy. You can add cayenne or hot sauce if you like heat 🌶️.
Q: Can I make the spaghetti ahead?
A: Yes. Assemble and refrigerate; bake when ready. Reheat in the oven until hot 🔁.
Q: How do I keep the fried catfish crispy?
A: Drain on a rack or paper towels and serve soon after frying. Reheat in the oven to revive crispness 🍽️.
Q: Can I use fresh Parmesan instead of pre-grated?
A: Freshly grated Parmesan gives better flavor and melts well 🧀.
Conclusion
Want to know more about heat levels or spicy twists? See this question about spice on Yelp: Is the food spicy? I see cayenne is listed as ingredient? — Yelp. For a creative catfish pairing idea, check this recipe for sweet potato waffles with crispy catfish: Sweet Potato Waffles with Crispy Catfish and Spicy Honey Butter. If you like sandwiches, try a catfish po’boy take on this dish for another serving style: Easy Catfish Po’boy Sliders | CookWithCi.