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This Easy Fish Pie is a comforting and hearty family meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With a creamy fish filling made from cod, salmon, and smoked haddock, topped with mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese, it’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters. The addition of spring onions, mustard, and fresh herbs brings a burst of flavor to this traditional British dish, making it an easy yet satisfying dinner.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 kg Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and halved
400 ml milk, plus a splash
25 g butter, plus a knob
25 g plain flour
4 spring onions, finely sliced
320–400 g fish pie mix (cod, salmon, smoked haddock, etc.)
1 tsp Dijon or English mustard
½ pack or a small bunch of chives, finely snipped
Handful frozen sweetcorn
Handful frozen petits pois
Handful grated cheddar cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C) or gas mark 6.
Place the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer until tender (around 10-15 minutes).
Drain the potatoes and mash them with a splash of milk and a knob of butter. Season with ground black pepper to taste.
In another pan, heat 25 g butter, 25 g plain flour, and the spring onions over medium heat. Stir gently until the butter melts and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Gradually whisk in the 400 ml milk, bringing it to a boil while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Remove from the heat and stir in the fish, Dijon mustard, chives, sweetcorn, and peas. Spoon the mixture into an ovenproof dish or divide into 6-8 ramekins.
Spoon the mashed potato over the top of the fish mixture, then sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese.
Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling at the edges.
Alternatively, you can cover and freeze the pie for future use.

Nutrients (per serving, approx.)

Calories: 430
Fat: 15.63 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Carbohydrates: 50.13 g
Sugars: 7 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 27.1 g
Salt: 1.25 g

A Traditional British Comfort Food

Fish pie has a long history in British cuisine, and like many traditional dishes, it’s been passed down through generations. Originally a dish designed to make use of leftover fish and vegetables, fish pie has evolved into a comforting meal that showcases the fresh flavors of the sea. The key to a great fish pie is a balance of textures and flavors. The creamy, rich filling pairs beautifully with the soft, fluffy mashed potatoes that crown the pie. Adding a topping of melted cheddar cheese ensures a crisp, golden finish that makes the dish even more irresistible.

In this version of the dish, the fish filling is the star. A combination of cod, salmon, and smoked haddock creates a harmonious mix of flavors, from the delicate, flaky cod to the rich, smoky haddock and the rich, oily salmon. The addition of fresh vegetables, mustard, and herbs gives the dish a fragrant, aromatic quality, making each bite full of depth and complexity.

The Essential Ingredients for a Flavorful Fish Pie

One of the reasons Easy Fish Pie is so popular is that it uses relatively simple ingredients that are easy to find, yet the result is a dish that feels special and indulgent. The potatoes used for the mashed topping are just as important as the fish filling. Maris Piper potatoes are ideal for this recipe, as they mash beautifully and create a smooth, creamy topping. The butter and milk added to the mashed potatoes ensure that they’re rich and flavorful, without being too heavy.

The fish pie mix—typically consisting of cod, salmon, and smoked haddock—offers a variety of flavors and textures, making the filling both hearty and light at the same time. The fish is cooked in a creamy sauce made from butter, flour, and milk, which is thickened to create a velvety texture that complements the delicate fish. The addition of mustard and fresh herbs, like chives, adds a subtle tanginess and freshness to the dish, balancing out the richness of the fish and creamy sauce.

Frozen sweetcorn and petits pois are excellent additions to the fish pie, providing color, sweetness, and extra texture. These vegetables bring a fresh, light element to the dish, cutting through the richness of the fish and potatoes and making it feel more balanced and satisfying.

The Beauty of Simple, Homemade Cooking

What makes Easy Fish Pie so delightful is its simplicity. While the ingredients are straightforward, the process of preparing the pie ensures that each element comes together perfectly. The mashed potatoes, while easy to make, are given extra flavor with a knob of butter and a splash of milk, resulting in a smooth, creamy topping that contrasts beautifully with the savory fish filling.

The fish filling itself is cooked in a simple white sauce made with butter, flour, and milk. As the sauce thickens, the fish is gently added to the pan, allowing it to cook in the creamy mixture. The fish absorbs the flavors of the sauce, becoming tender and flavorful. Once the fish is cooked, the mixture is combined with fresh herbs and vegetables, creating a colorful, flavorful filling that is the heart of the dish.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Easy Fish Pie is a versatile meal that works for any occasion, from a casual family dinner to a more special celebration. It’s a dish that brings warmth and comfort to the table, making it a go-to choice for cold evenings, family gatherings, or holidays. The fact that the pie can be prepared in advance and even frozen for later use makes it especially convenient. Preparing the pie ahead of time allows the flavors to meld together, making the dish even more flavorful when reheated.

The fish pie is also a great way to incorporate healthy seafood into your diet. With a variety of fish in the filling, you’re getting a good dose of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health. The vegetables and herbs also provide essential vitamins and minerals, making this dish a balanced, nutritious option for a family meal.

Elevating the Dish with Flavorful Additions

While Easy Fish Pie is delicious on its own, you can elevate the dish by making a few simple adjustments or additions. For example, if you want to make the pie even more decadent, you can add a bit of grated cheese to the mashed potatoes before baking, giving the topping an extra layer of flavor. A sprinkle of breadcrumbs on top before baking can also create a crispy, golden finish that adds texture to the dish.

For those who prefer a bit of heat, adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the filling can give the dish a welcome kick. You can also play around with the herbs, swapping chives for parsley, dill, or thyme to create a different flavor profile.

How to Serve Fish Pie

Easy Fish Pie is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad or some steamed vegetables. A light, crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette is a perfect contrast to the richness of the fish pie, adding freshness and balance to the meal. You can also serve the pie with a side of garlic bread for a comforting, indulgent touch. For dessert, a light fruit salad or a classic British dessert like sticky toffee pudding would complement the richness of the fish pie.

Conclusion

Easy Fish Pie is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines the richness of creamy fish with the lightness of fresh vegetables and the indulgence of mashed potatoes. It’s a meal that’s perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a special celebration. The variety of fish and the combination of flavors from mustard, herbs, and vegetables make the pie exciting yet comforting, offering a satisfying and wholesome experience with every bite.

This dish is not only delicious but also versatile and easy to make, making it a great addition to your family’s repertoire of go-to recipes. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or a special gathering, Easy Fish Pie is sure to become a favorite. Its simplicity, heartiness, and rich flavors make it a timeless dish that’s perfect for any occasion, bringing a touch of warmth and comfort to the table every time.