Bacalhau com Natas — a golden-brown baked Portuguese cod casserole in a ceramic dish on a rustic table.

Bacalhau com Natas: Authentic Portuguese Cod Casserole Recipe | Desapega

Craving that creamy, indulgent Portuguese comfort food that makes every special occasion memorable? The golden-topped casserole of tender cod, crispy potatoes, and rich cream sauce that melts in your mouth? You're not alone. Every Portuguese person in the Netherlands knows that saudade hits hardest during family gatherings when you miss that iconic dish from home.

The good news? You can make restaurant-quality bacalhau com natas at home – and we've got the premium bacalhau delivered straight from Portugal to your door in the Netherlands.

👉 Get Premium Migas de Bacalhau Here – Already shredded, ready to use!

Why Bacalhau com Natas is Portugal's Most Beloved Comfort Food

Bacalhau com Natas is the special occasion dish – Christmas Eve, Easter, Sunday family lunches, celebrations. It's richer, more indulgent, more luxurious than everyday bacalhau à Brás. At Desapega, we stock Migas de Bacalhau – making this recipe MUCH easier than traditional methods.

Bacalhau com Natas Recipe (Serves 6-8)

Ingredients:

From Desapega:

From Dutch Supermarkets:

  • 1kg potatoes (waxy variety like Charlotte or Nicola)
  • 500ml heavy cream (slagroom)
  • 200ml whole milk
  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 100g grated cheese (Gouda or Emmental)
  • 2 tablespoons butter + 2 tablespoons flour (for béchamel)
  • Black pepper, nutmeg, salt

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Bacalhau
Soak Migas de Bacalhau in cold water with bay leaves for 4-8 hours, changing water 2-3 times. Drain well.

Step 2: Fry the Potatoes
Slice potatoes 3-4mm thick, pat dry, fry in Esporão olive oil until golden. Drain on paper towels.

Step 3: Caramelize the Onions
In the same pan, cook onions 12-15 minutes until soft and golden. Add garlic in last 2 minutes.

Step 4: Add Bacalhau
Add drained Migas de Bacalhau to onions, cook 3-4 minutes. Season with pepper.

Step 5: Make the Béchamel Sauce
Melt butter, whisk in flour (2 min), gradually add milk then cream, whisking constantly until thick and smooth. Season with nutmeg and pepper.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake
In a greased baking dish: layer potatoes, onions, bacalhau, remaining onions, remaining potatoes. Pour béchamel over everything. Top with grated cheese. Bake at 200°C for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbling. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

Chef's Tips

  • Make ahead: Assemble completely, refrigerate, bake when ready. Add 10 minutes to baking time.
  • Sauce too thin? Cook the béchamel longer or add more flour to the roux.
  • Top not golden? Finish under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy bacalhau in the Netherlands?
Right here at Desapega! Migas de Bacalhau is pre-shredded – much easier than whole bacalhau. Full buying guide (NL).

What's the difference between Migas de Bacalhau and whole salted cod?
Migas are pre-shredded and require much less soaking (4-8 hours vs 48 hours). Read our full comparison (NL).

Can I make this dairy-free?
Difficult, as cream is essential. You could try coconut cream, but it will taste very different.

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