First Step: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Lightly grease a suitable baking dish to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.

Second Step: Dry and Season the Cod Pat the cod fillets thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a flaky texture. Season the fillets with salt, pepper, and optionally lemon pepper seasoning, setting them aside.

Third Step: Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat (or whisk together olive oil and melted butter for richness). Add the minced garlic and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, avoiding browning. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice, and sprinkle in dried dill if using. Remove from heat to preserve the fresh flavors.

Fourth Step: Arrange Cod and Lemon Slices Place the cod fillets in the baking dish in a single layer. Arrange thin lemon slices underneath and atop the fillets to infuse subtle citrus notes during baking.

Fifth Step: Pour Sauce and Bake Pour the prepared lemon garlic butter sauce evenly over the cod. Dot the fillets with additional diced butter if desired for extra richness. Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on fish thickness thinner fillets might need only 10 to 15 minutes. The fish is done when opaque and flakes easily with a fork or reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Sixth Step: Garnish and Serve Carefully remove the baked cod from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges and preferred side dishes alike.