Fish pie is a potato topped fish bake that's a British comfort food classic. Filled with fish and shrimp, topped with soft potatoes with a gentle crust. Easy to make, easy to enjoy.
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I'm pretty sure I've mentioned some of the common food terms used in the US and UK that can get very confusing. Pie is definitely one of them. Generally, there is some agreement that a pie involves a pastry crust in both countries, but the UK normally takes that to mean at least over the top. In the US, not so much - it can be just under as in a pumpkin pie (which would be a tart in the UK).
Then the UK confuses things with some of the most popular pies having no pastry at all, like shepherd's pie, topped with potato. This fish pie is like the fish equivalent of shepherd's pie and is something many of us Brits associate with childhood. It's classic comfort food, perfect for winter.
What is fish pie?
Fish pie is essentially fish in a mild sauce with mashed potato on top, baked to give it a slight crisp. As with many people from the UK, I have memories of my mum making fish pie now and then for dinner when I was young. In fact, she made it when she came to visit one time to give me a break from cooking (I think when one of the kids was very young at the time so I needed it!).
Despite that, fish pie is not something I ever made myself until I saw this month's Fish Friday Foodies' theme: fish in a dish. For me, it was the obvious choice.
Exactly what goes in fish pie can vary. Most versions use a white fish, or maybe salmon, and you'll sometimes see smoked fish such as smoked haddock in there too. Shrimp/prawns are a common addition and there can be vegetables such as spinach added as well.
The sauce is often a simple white sauce made with the milk used to poach the fish. Some versions have wine in there, to give a bit more flavor, sometimes mixed with stock.
How it's made
I have gone with a bit of a mix of the common elements by using haddock, shrimp/prawns and a sauce made with the milk from poaching and some wine. I have added some spinach and dill for flavor as well.
You poach the fish (and shrimp if using raw) in the milk, then use the milk to make a simple sauce. Then pour the sauce over the fish and spinach, top with some mashed potatoes and bake until the top starts to crisp. Between the poaching and then baking it does take a little more time than some dishes but it's still not too long and it's all easy to do.
Fish pie is classic British cold-weather comfort food. The mix of fish, a mild creamy sauce and mashed potatoes is just the sort of thing for a cold day. While it brings back childhood memories for many Brits, it's something anyone can enjoy so do give it a try.
Try these other comforting dishes:
- Youvetsi (Greek lamb or beef and orzo stew)
- Pulled pork stuffed shells
- Catalan fish stew (romesco de peix)
- Plus get more main dishes recipes in the archives.
Fish pie (potato-topped fish bake)
Ingredients
- 28 oz potatoes (approx)
- 18 oz haddock or other similar white fish in chunks
- ¼ cup white wine
- 1 ½ cup milk
- 8 oz shrimp prawns
- 2 oz spinach
- 2 tablespoon butter divided
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon dill
Instructions
- Boil potatoes until tender, mash and add 1 tablespoon butter and ¼cup/60ml of milk.
- Preheat oven to 375F/190C.
- Poach haddock in the wine and 1 ¼c/300ml milk over a medium-low heat for around 10 - 15 minutes until cooked through (mine didn't even get to simmer). Don't let it get above a simmer. Add the shrimp towards end if not already cooked. Remove fish from milk mixture.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter, add flour and cook until nutty, gradually add milk-wine mix from poaching to make sauce, add in dill and wilt in spinach.
- Put flaked fish and shrimp in baking dish, pour over sauce, top with mashed potatoes. Bake approximately 30 minutes until starting to brown.
Nutrition
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Jindabyne says
Like lasagne. ...the second day is always better. Made it with KeyWest Grunts and Lane Snapper.
I used frozen veggies and added a wee bit of cream cheese and old cheddar to the white sauce. 👍👍👍
Caroline's Cooking says
Sounds great, glad you enjoyed!
Terri P. says
This was very nice. I couldn't use wine so used lemon juice. Also used half vegetable broth and half milk when making the sauce adding garlic and thyme instead of dill. Thank you for this recipe, we really enjoyed it.
Caroline's Cooking says
Glad to hear you enjoyed and I can see those tweaks working too!
Vicki Hughes says
Hi! Because fish is so expensive I'm on a Disability pension and it doesn't go far enough most times, But I do love fish so would I be able to use tin tuna or salmon instead of Haddock in your fish pie. I know that it won't be the same but at least it's fish. I love your recipes and information. So thank you.
Beat wishes
Vicki Hughes
Smithfield
South Australia
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks for the kind words. I've never tried making this with canned/tinned fish, but I imagine it would work with tinned salmon or tuna just as you say a little different.
Sally says
Milk and wine curdled as they were heating on the lowest of low temps. Poach the fish in wine, and make the white sauce separately.
Caroline's Cooking says
Sorry to hear that happened, it is something that can happen now and then (though doesn't really impact flavor) - but indeed your suggestion to poach separately is an option, it just gives a little more work but does avoid that possibility.
Denise says
Made this for the first time last night. So delicious. We try to eat fish regularly and this recipe switched things up wonderfully. Definitely will make again. My husband loved it as well. He also loved finishing up the wine, lol!
Caroline's Cooking says
So glad you enjoyed! We have fish often as well and agree, it's nice to have things which are a bit different some of those times, as this is (although it brings back childhood memories for me too!)
Marilyn says
Made this today...will have tonight for dinner. This reminds me of a recipe called cod au gratin from
Newfoundland, Canada. Only difference is potatoes are on the side ...
Sounds yummy.....thank you
Caroline's Cooking says
I hope you enjoy your dinner! Thanks for the comment, I think some of the best ideas are found in various forms in different places 🙂
sneha datar says
I love this dish, enjoy anything with potatoes.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Sneha!
Colleen says
Anything topped with mashed potatoes has got to be good! Can't wait to give it a whirl!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Colleen, it's tasty - hope you like it!
Wendy Klik says
This sounds so wonderful. I can't wait to try it.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Wendy, I hope you enjoy!
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
Oh, I love fish pie - this looks so good!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Heather!
cookingwithauntjuju.com says
I never had fish pie but plenty of versions of shepherd's pie. I'm sure this is delicious - thanks for co-hosting Caroline.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Judi!
P~ says
Mr. Saucy would love this dish; he's a huge potato fan! Wonderful.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thank you, hope you get a chance to try it!
Sarah says
This sounds wonderful! I've never had a fish pie, but I think I'm going to have to give it a go 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Sarah, hope you enjoy!
Karen says
My husband, who could eat potatoes everyday, would love this (and me too!). How neat that you were inspired by memories of your mum.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Karen, it's a very comforting dish (and great for potato lovers!)