This simple fish pie is total comfort food, sure to make your belly happy! There’s cod, salmon and plenty of veggies in a lush sauce. It’s topped with cheesy mashed potatoes and makes for a hearty and delicious dinner you’re gonna love!
Hi friends!
I’m super excited to be sharing this easy fish recipe with you all today!
Fish pie (also known fisherman’s pie or seafood pie) is a classic British dish and, in my opinion, is like a cross between a traditional Newfoundland dish, cod au gratin, and shepherd’s pie.
It has seafood coated in a creamy sauce (much like cod au gratin), but also includes veggies as well as a mash topping (like shepherd’s pie).
The end result?
So delicious!
A few years ago, a local grocery store carried a frozen seafood pie that hubby and I really enjoyed (as did my sister-in-law and brother).
Unfortunately, the grocery store no longer carries that product. Nowadays? I make my own version of fisherman’s pie!
And homemade is always way better than store-bought anyway, right?
This fish pie is the kinda stick-to-ya-ribs comfort food that one would crave during cooler months.
Put on your comfy clothes, put on your fave show and grab a plate of this creamy fish pie and you’re set for cozy town, my friends.
I seriously hope you love this one as much as we do!
Ingredients for Simple Fish Pie
- Seafood, like cod and salmon
- Veggies, like leek, carrot, celery, and peas
- Aromatics, like garlic and lemon zest
- Seasonings, like thyme, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper
- Seafood broth and milk
- Olive oil, butter, and flour
- Cheesy mash (potatoes, milk, butter, chives, and cheese)
How To Make Fish Pie
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
Make cheesy mashed potatoes
- Peel and cut potatoes into large chunks. Cook in a pot of salted water until tender, then drain.
- Rice those potatoes into a bowl (or you could mash, if you like).
- Give them a little stir. Add melted butter, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, chives, and salt.
- Mix again.
Tip: You could also add some Parmesan cheese, if you like. Or, if you aren’t into cheese, try adding some roasted garlic, cooked leeks or enjoy those potatoes as they are. Either way, delicious!
Make creamy fish pie filling, assemble and bake
- In a pan, cook some leek in olive oil. Then add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in carrots, celery, salt, and pepper and give that a little cook.
- Add butter and once it melts, stir in flour. Slowly add seafood broth and milk. Add about ⅓ to ½ cup at a time, whisking after each addition until creamy and thickened.
- Stir in thyme, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and lemon zest.
- Add seasoned seafood and peas, stirring in to incorporate with the sauce.
- Dollop cheesy mashed potatoes over top. Spread them out. Have little bumps and valleys (as this creates little crispy, golden brown and delicious bits).
- Bake, cool a little, garnish, and serve.
Type of Seafood To Use
For this fish pie recipe, both cod and salmon is used. You could use fresh or frozen (that has been thawed).
Other delicious options include halibut, haddock, or tilapia.
You can use all of one or a combo. Whatever you decide to use, just make sure that it’s free from any bones and skin.
Tips and Variations
- Cut the seafood into similar-sized pieces so everything cooks evenly.
- Want to make things even richer? Try half-and-half instead of whole milk.
- Frozen peas are used, but you could use fresh if you like.
- Thyme is used, but you could try dill instead. Dill also works lovely with seafood.
What To Serve With Fish Pie
Any of these go great with fish pie:
- Mixed green salad
- Garlic bread
- Lemon wedges (a must, in my opinion)
- Green beans
More Delicious Seafood Recipes
- Newfoundland Salt Cod Fish Cakes
- Tomato Fish Stew
- Fish Curry With Coconut Milk
- Crispy Fried Fish Burger
If you make this easy fish pie recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
Simple Fish Pie
Ingredients
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- 2 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled (about 4 to 5 Russet potatoes)
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- ½ cup whole milk
- 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, about 1 cup
- 2 to 3 tablespoons minced fresh chives
- ½ teaspoon salt
Fish Pie Filling
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 leek, cut in half lengthwise and sliced thinly into half moons (white and light green parts only). Rinse well and drain before using as leek can contain debris/dirt between the layers.
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced about ¼-inch thick
- 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced about ¼-inch thick
- 1.25 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1.25 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- â…“ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup seafood broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme (leaves only), or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- pinch ground cayenne pepper
- 1 lemon, zest only
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 pound cod fillets (boneless and skinless), cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ pound salmon fillet (boneless and skinless), cut into bite-sized pieces
- Chopped fresh thyme leaves, garnish to taste (optional)
- Chopped fresh chives, garnish to taste (optional)
- Lemon wedges, garnish to taste (optional)
Instructions
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- Cut peeled potatoes into chunks.
- Place potatoes into a large pot of cold, salted water, ensuring that the potatoes are fully covered by the water by at least an inch or two above the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 15 minutes or so. Drain.
- Rice potatoes (or mash them) into a bowl. Add butter, milk, cheddar cheese, chives and salt, stirring to combine. Set aside.
Fish Pie Filling
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a 12-inch heavy oven-safe sauté/deep pan over medium heat on the stovetop.
- Add leek and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until softened.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add carrots, celery, and ¼ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring often, for 8 to 10 minutes or until softened slightly.
- Add butter and melt.
- Stir in flour to form a paste. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Slowly (½ cup at a time) whisk in seafood broth and milk (you want to add the liquid in increments so that it gives things a chance to thicken before adding more liquid). Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes or so.If you want less sauce in the finished product, you can add about ½ cup less broth here.
- Season with thyme, ½ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper, cayenne pepper, and lemon zest.
- Stir in peas.
- Season cod and salmon with remaining ½ teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
- Distribute seafood in pan, stirring to incorporate.
Assemble the Fish Pie and Bake
- Top seafood with reserved cheesy mashed potatoes. Don't smooth out perfectly. Leave little bumps and valleys so they create character and some crispy bits when baked.
- Carefully place pan onto a sheet pan (to catch any spills) and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until everything is cooked through and the mashed potatoes have a little golden brown colour.
- Let the fish pie cool for about 30 minutes before serving (don't skip this as it allows things to settle). Garnish with thyme and chives, if desired. Delicious served with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cut the seafood into similar-sized pieces so everything cooks evenly.
- Frozen peas are used, but you could use fresh if you like.
- Thyme is used, but you could try dill instead. Dill also works lovely with seafood.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Kevin
Can’t go hungry with this comforting dish, what a great combination of flavors, so savory!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Kevin 🙂
Valentina
YUM! Dawn, what a comforting and delicious recipe. My 13-year-old has just declared himself a Pescatarian (kinda cute), and salmon is is favorite. This recipe is perfect for him (and the whole family)! 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So cute!! Thanks Valentina! Hope you guys enjoy 🙂
Karen (Back Road Journal)
I’ve often heard of fish pie but have never had it…I think I’ve missed out on something good by the looks of your dish.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
For sure! It’s delish! Hope you get a chance to try soon! Thanks Karen 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
What a delicious looking comfort food dish Dawn! I’m always looking to add more fish dishes to our menu too. Can’t wait to try! Pinned!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! Hope you enjoy! Thanks Mary Ann 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
I love fish pie and especially with a cheesy topping! Perfect comfort food for these cold days 😉
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Jennifer 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I’m totally trying this one, Dawn!! Total comfort food during the winter. That cheesy top is soooo calling my name!! I’m in love! Happy New Year and welcome back to real life, haha!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! Hope you love it! Happy New Year, my friend 🙂
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl
Oh my word, Dawn! The cheesy mash!! Amazing! Flaky fish?! Mindblowing…all in all, amazing recipe! YUM! Happy New year, my friend! <3
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Haylie! Happy New Year to you too! XOXO
[email protected]
Wow! Loving this stick-to-ya-ribs comfort food! Especially that gorgeous cheesy top!! Happy New Year, my friend!! xoxo
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Annie! Happy New Year to you too! XOXO
Leanne
Oh my gosh! I seriously need some of this hearty goodness in my life today! I’m not looking forward to tackling the mound of snow in our driveway, but when I do, I would love to have a big plate of this fish pie waiting for me! I’m having a huge craving for seafood, and that cheesy mash on top looks like the ultimate comfort food. Happy Monday Dawn. Stay warm!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Leanne! Comfort food to the max 😉 Have a great weekend and stay warm!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Oh yum! This has comfort written all over it!!! There’s nothing better than a cozy dish that comes out of the oven all piping hot and topped with mashed potatoes! It just doesn’t get any better!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Kathy! I agree 🙂
David @ Spiced
You can say that again about homemade tasting way better than store-bought! I’m glad that grocery store carried that fisherman’s pie as it led to the inspiration for this homemade version. 2 types of fish, mashed potatoes and veggies? Now that sounds like a winter comfort food meal that I can get behind. Yum! Happy New Year to you, my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Right? 😉 Thank you David! Happy New Year to you too, my friend!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
It’s been so chilly lately and I’m craving all the comfort food. This totally fits the bill–I’m coming over for dinner! This sounds delicious, Dawn!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I hear ya!! Thank you so much, Kelsie 🙂
Marissa
Loving everything about this loaded fish pie, Dawn! Including that gorgeous cheesy mash top! It’s snowing today and this is just the kind of comfort food I’m craving.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Marissa! This would be perfect on a cold day 😉