Fish Pie

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This homemade Fish Pie is so comforting and tastes so amazing, you will never again even consider buying a ready-meal version! Better still it’s the perfect family dinner for quiet evenings, only takes a little prep time and creates a warm, bubbling dish that feels steady and reassuring.

Fancy making a proper Fish Pie but worried it’s too complicated? Or concerned the sauce won’t be creamy enough? Then this Easy Fish Pie recipe is for you!

Simply simmer the fish in milk (which makes the base for your sauce!), mix up a quick white sauce with butter and flour, stir in the fish and tender veggies, then top with fluffy mashed potatoes. Pop it in the oven until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling (the smell alone will slow everything down!) and that’s it.

This Fish Pie is super simple, filling without feeling heavy, and practically foolproof.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comfort factor: Creamy sauce stays rich while the fish cooks gently inside.

Soft topping: Mashed potatoes bake tender with lightly crisp edges on top.

Easy to adjust: Swap fish types or change vegetables without losing flavor.

Crowd friendly: One dish feeds everyone without extra work.

Home style feel: Every serving tastes filling, familiar, and comforting.

Ingredients

For the Mashed Potato Topping

  • 2 pound potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
  • ⅔ cup milk
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Black pepper to taste

For the Fish Filling

  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 3 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 pounds fish cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 2 medium carrots chopped
  • 3 green onions cut into ½ pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 cups white cheddar shredded
  • 2 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Step by Step Instructions

1. Cook the Potatoes

Place the cubed potatoes into a large pot and cover them with water. Add a pinch of salt and bring everything to a boil. Cook until the potatoes feel tender when pierced with a fork. Drain well and return them to the pot so excess moisture cooks off.

2. Mash Until Smooth

Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to the hot potatoes. Mash until smooth and fluffy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Set the mashed potatoes aside while you prepare the filling.

3. Start the Creamy Sauce

Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for about a minute until it smells lightly toasted. Slowly pour in the milk while stirring so the sauce stays smooth. Cook until it thickens gently.

4. Build the Filling

Stir Dijon mustard, garlic, carrots, green onions, salt, and pepper into the sauce. Let everything simmer for a few minutes so the vegetables soften slightly. Add fish pieces and frozen peas, then stir gently to coat everything.

5. Add Cheese and Herbs

Sprinkle shredded white cheddar into the pan and stir until melted. Fold in fresh dill for a clean, herby finish. The filling should look creamy and well mixed.

6. Assemble the Pie

Spoon the fish filling into a baking dish and spread it evenly. Gently layer the mashed potatoes over the top, smoothing it with a spoon. Add soft peaks for extra texture during baking.

7. Bake Until Golden

Place the dish into a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes until the top looks lightly golden and the filling bubbles around the edges. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Fish Pie pairs beautifully with simple sides. Steamed green beans or a light salad work well to balance the creamy filling. Warm bread on the side helps scoop up the sauce left on the plate.

When serving guests, I like placing the dish in the center of the table and letting everyone help themselves. It feels relaxed, generous, and perfect for slow dinners together.

Tips and Variations

  • Add a small pinch of nutmeg to the mashed potatoes for extra warmth.
  • Use a mix of fish to add more texture to the filling.
  • Replace white cheddar with another mild cheese if needed.
  • Stir in sweetcorn for a gentle sweetness that balances the creamy sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this be made ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the pie fully and store it covered in the fridge. Bake when ready to serve.

Does frozen fish work?

Frozen fish works fine once fully thawed and patted dry.

How long do leftovers keep?

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently in the oven.

Can this be frozen?

Freeze before baking for best texture. Thaw overnight before cooking.

Final Thoughts

Fish Pie brings steady comfort to the table every time. Creamy filling, tender fish, and fluffy potatoes work together in a way that feels timeless and satisfying.

Fish Pie

A creamy baked fish dish topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and filled with vegetables and herbs.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine British
Servings 6 Servings

Ingredients
  

For the Mashed Potato Topping

  • 2 pound potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
  • cup milk
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Black pepper to taste

For the Fish Filling

  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 3 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 pounds fish cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 2 medium carrots chopped
  • 3 green onions cut into ½ pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 cups white cheddar shredded
  • 2 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Cook the Potatoes: Place the cubed potatoes into a large pot and cover them with water. Add a pinch of salt and bring everything to a boil. Cook until the potatoes feel tender when pierced with a fork. Drain well and return them to the pot so excess moisture cooks off.
  • Mash Until Smooth: Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to the hot potatoes. Mash until smooth and fluffy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Set the mashed potatoes aside while you prepare the filling.
  • Start the Creamy Sauce: Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for about a minute until it smells lightly toasted. Slowly pour in the milk while stirring so the sauce stays smooth. Cook until it thickens gently.
  • Build the Filling: Stir Dijon mustard, garlic, carrots, green onions, salt, and pepper into the sauce. Let everything simmer for a few minutes so the vegetables soften slightly. Add fish pieces and frozen peas, then stir gently to coat everything.
  • Add Cheese and Herbs: Sprinkle shredded white cheddar into the pan and stir until melted. Fold in fresh dill for a clean, herby finish. The filling should look creamy and well mixed.
  • Assemble the Pie: Spoon the fish filling into a baking dish and spread it evenly. Gently layer the mashed potatoes over the top, smoothing it with a spoon. Add soft peaks for extra texture during baking.
  • Bake Until Golden: Place the dish into a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes until the top looks lightly golden and the filling bubbles around the edges. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Keyword classic fish recipe, comfort food dinner, creamy fish bake, fish pie, potato topped casserole

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