Tasty Fish Pie Recipe – Immaculate Bites

What Type of Fish Is Best for a Fish Pie?

In general, look for a firm, non-oily white fish such as cod, halibut, or pollock. I love smoked fish, so occasionally, I’ll use a mixture of fresh and smoked fish (smoked haddock is super delish!). Additionally, you can swap part of the fish for shrimp, crab, or lobster for ultra-luxurious family meals.

Recipe Ingredients

1. Russet Potatoes – Russet or Yukon Gold work best for the fluffy mashed topping. They provide a smooth, flavorful mash.
2. Dairy – Milk, butter, and sour cream make your mashed potatoes rich, creamy, and tangy! I also use milk in the filling to cook the fish and make a silky-smooth white sauce.
3. Fish – Look for a firm, fleshy, non-oily white fish for best results.
4. Veggies – You can get creative with your veggies, but my favorites are peas and corn for color and texture. Leeks and, of course, onions add a pleasant tang to the mix.
5. Cheese – Everything is better with cheese, right? 😉 Cheddar cheese adds a tangy, buttery taste without overpowering the delicate fish.
6. Seasonings – Garlic, bay leaf, and bouillon powder add subtle yet complex flavor profiles. Cloves are optional, but I find they add warmth to the dish.
7. Flour – To help thicken the sauce and make it creamy!

How to Make Fish Pie

Make the Mashed Potato Topping

• Wash the Potatoes – Rinse them in cold water and transfer them to a large saucepan. Then add cold water to cover the potatoes by at least 3 inches.
• Cook – Season with salt and bring them to a boil over high heat. Once the water starts boiling good, turn the heat down to medium. Then simmer the potatoes until tender (12-15 minutes).
• Drain the potatoes and put them in a large bowl.
• Mash the potatoes with a masher or a hand mixer with the milk, butter, sour cream, salt, and pepper until they’re nice and creamy. Set aside.

Cook the Fish

• Prep the Fish – Heat the milk in a large pan, then add fish. Cut the onion into halves and push the cloves into them. Then put them into the pan with the milk and fish.
• Simmer – Add bay leaf. Bring your milk to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer gently for 6–7 minutes. Take the pan off the heat. Discard the onion halves with the cloves and bay leaf, take the fish out, and set the milk aside.
• Cook Veggies – Meanwhile, finely chop the remaining onion in half and the leeks. Melt the butter with the olive oil in a small frying pan. Gently fry the garlic, onion, and leeks for 4–5 minutes or until softened but not browned.
• Make the Sauce – Add the flour to the leeks and stir well. Fry for one minute, stirring frequently. Gradually add the milk from poaching the fish and stir well after each addition. Add all the milk in this way and gently heat until the sauce thickens. Add bouillon powder and half of the cheese and stir until combined. Taste test the sauce for seasoning and add more salt or pepper if necessary.

Assembly

• Add Fish – Fold the fish pieces into the sauce. Add frozen peas and frozen corn to the mixture.
• Assemble – Place an ovenproof dish on a baking sheet (this will catch anything that bubbles over when cooking). Spoon the fish mixture into the bottom of the dish. Carefully top with the cooled mashed potatoes. Then spread them over the pie with a fork to create a decorative design on top. Gently pour the remaining half of the butter and the rest of the grated cheese over the potato.
• Bake your fish pie in the oven for 25–30 minutes on medium heat or until golden brown and bubbling.
• Broil the fish pie in the oven for the last minutes to get a nice golden-brown color on the top.

Recipe Variations

1. Fancy – Would you like to make your fish pie look elegant? Using a fork or spoon, carve designs into the potato topping before baking. You could even pipe on the mashed potatoes. It looks gorgeous once the potatoes get nice and golden when baked.
2. Veggie Add-Ins – Swap part of the veggies with baby spinach, asparagus, broccoli, or fresh chives according to your palate.
3. Make it Eggs-tra Special! – Peel and chop eight hard-boiled eggs into thick slices. Layer them on the filling before adding the mashed potatoes.
4. Flavor Enhancement: A squeeze of lemon juice makes fish taste better. I’m sure there is a scientific explanation.

Tips and Tricks

1. The fish filling should have some sauce before putting it in the baking pan. So if your fish filling seems dry, add a bit more milk, water, or other liquid to make it saucy.
2. Let the fish filling cool first so it’s easier to spread the mashed potato topping.
3. Chill the fish filling for 20 minutes after spreading it in the baking dish to prevent the mashed potato topping from sinking.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Fish pie makes meal prep a breeze! You can make up to a day ahead and refrigerate it. When ready to cook, let it come to room temperature on the counter (about an hour), then cook as directed.

Or you can cook and freeze it ahead of time. Allow the fish pie to cool completely and cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. You can freeze your fish pie for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, defrost it overnight in the fridge, then reheat it in a 180℉/85℃ for 30 minutes.

Serving and Storage Instructions

This dish is delicious hot and bubbly right from the oven. Leftovers refrigerate well in an airtight container for 3-4 days or freeze well for 3 months.

Defrost it (if frozen) in the fridge overnight, preheat the oven to 180℉/85℃, and bake for 25 minutes. Or reheat individual portions in the microwave for 4-5 minutes on high.

FAQs

What to Serve With Fish Pie

Fish pie is a one-dish wonder! However, it also pairs well with veggie side dishes such as honey-glazed carrots or parmesan-crusted baked asparagus. Definitely consider adding a fresh broccoli salad to the meal for some crunch and color. Then complete your dining experience with soft and savory garlic knots.

More Mouthwatering Fish Recipes to Try

1. Fish and Chips
2. Curry Fish
3. Caribbean Grilled Whole Red Snapper
4. Teriyaki Salmon
5. Tuna Patties

Conclusion

Creamy sauce, tangy cheese, and fluffy potatoes turn this simple fish pie recipe into a meal fit for a king! Looking for easy weeknight meals that deliver big on flavor? Follow me on Instagram for weekly meal inspiration!

Watch How to Make It

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