A straightforward yet delicious savory seafood stew is topped with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes and baked until golden brown. If you enjoy hearty casserole dishes like Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie, you are going to love this delicious seafood version: The classic British Fish Pie! Tender pieces of fish and juicy shrimp are layered with a silky, creamy sauce and topped with fluffy mashed potatoes to make this amazing baked casserole. This is one of my favorite British dishes, and I love to serve it with a simple side dish of buttered steamed peas.
British Fish Pie Recipe Highlights
A Delicious, Classic British Recipe – Fish pie, aka Fisherman’s Pie is a lighter version of a meaty shepherd’s pie or cottage pie. It’s one of my favorite British dishes, and total comfort food for any seafood lover. Great for Making Ahead – You can easily prepare this casserole and keep it in the fridge for a day or two before baking it. Once baked, fish pie also freezes very well in portions. Versatile Recipe – Feel free to switch up the type of fish or seafood in this savory pie, or add additional veggies to it. There are many ways to make a traditional British fish pie, and this is only the beginning! Step by Step Instructions – This recipe isn’t very difficult, but there are quite a few steps to follow if you want to do it right. Follow along with the photos below for all of the details.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this easy fish pie recipe: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Fish: In the UK you can find “fish mix” in the frozen foods section of the grocery store. This is usually a mix of salmon, cod, and smoked haddock. If this isn’t available to you, any mix of fish pieces, either fresh or frozen will work wonderfully in this recipe. Shrimp: I like to add shrimp to make my fisherman’s pie a bit more special. You can also try it with scallops, lobster, or crab. Potatoes: The topping for this casserole is made of fluffy homemade mashed potatoes. Use Yukon Gold or Russets in the US, or Maris Piper in the UK. Cheese: Shredded cheddar makes the mashed potato topping extra yummy! Milk: The base of this dish is a rich and creamy seafood stew. The fish and shrimp will be poached in a flavorful milk mixture so that they stay moist and juicy during baking. Seasonings: Keep it simple here! You’ll need garlic, an onion, two bay leaves, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg.
How To Make A Fish Pie
This recipe is made in three parts. Make the mashed potato topping, then poach the fish and create the creamy sauce. Finally, assemble your fish pie and bake it to golden brown perfection!
Recipe Tips
Use fresh or thawed fish. Frozen seafood won’t poach properly, so if you’re using frozen fish, be sure to thaw it first. Add veggies. For more texture and flavor, you can saute finely diced carrot, celery, or shallot in butter before adding the garlic to the pan. Choose your baking dish. This recipe works best in a casserole dish that is 2-3 quarts. A 13×9-inch (33×23 cm) rectangular baking dish works perfectly, or make it in your favorite baker. Use leftovers. If you have leftover mashed potatoes from a previous meal or a holiday, they can be used to top this casserole rather than making new ones from scratch. Cook the sauce until it thickens. It won’t thicken any further in the oven, so be sure that it’s nice and thick before you assemble the casserole. Add texture to the top. Using a fork to add a design to the potatoes is a pretty decorative touch, but it’s also very functional! All of those nooks and crannies on top will get brown and crispy in the oven.
Storing Tips
Make Ahead: Assemble the fish pie and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking it! Leftovers: Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I find it easiest to reheat individual servings gently in the microwave. Freezing: Individual servings of fish pie also freeze really well! Keep them for up to 3 months in the freezer, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What To Serve With Fish Pie
I just love serving fish pie with a side of buttered peas! I use a bag of frozen peas, steam them in the microwave, and then add salted butter. Yummy, and so easy! You might also enjoy it with green beans or roasted broccoli.
Can I make fish pie with canned fish?
I recommend that you make this recipe with fresh or frozen fish, but canned fish can be an economical option as well. Look for high quality canned tuna or salmon that is canned in large pieces. Skip the poaching step. Just add the canned fish to the pan, cover with sauce and potatoes, and bake!
What kind of fish goes in Fisherman’s Pie?
You can choose any type of fish for this recipe, and you can choose to use just one kind, or a mix of different kinds of fish. Good options include salmon, haddock, and cod. Other seafood, such as shrimp or prawns are also delicious in this recipe.
What if I can’t find smoked fish?
The smoked haddock that is included in British “fish mix” gives this dish a very nice flavor, but you don’t have to go out of you way to find it. Regular, unsmoked fish pieces will work just fine.
How do I make this gluten free?
Instead of thickening the sauce with a flour based roux, you can use a cornstarch slurry. Mix ¼ cup cornstarch with the same amount of the poaching milk, then stir it into the sauce and cook until it thickens. Enjoy making one of my favorite British classics! You’ll want to save this Fish Pie recipe (Pin it!), because it’s sure to become a new family favorite. © Little Sunny Kitchen
