Easy Cheesy Fish Pie

This is my most favourite Fish Pie in the world. You can leave your posh versions at the door thank you. It is made with the best cheese sauce in the land and heavy on the crispy, buttery mash. Good honest comfort food that is packed full of flavour. You're so welcome.

There is not a herb in site here just a beautiful cheese flavour that holds fishy hands with the smoked haddock in the fish mix to make a real taste sensation.

Topped with buttery but crisp on the edges mash, there is no better comfort food out there in home cooking land.

No fuss, no faff just cheesy fish and incredible mash. One of my family's favourite meals, every time.

How To Make Fish Pie From Scratch

It is not the quickest meal on this blog but I do not begrudge a single moment of it. It is in my top five favourites on here.

It is a relatively easy recipe though and a real crowd pleaser. It reheats perfectly too for another easy midweek meal.

I use a dish that is 7"/18 cm square. It is best to use roughly the same size so as to get the right ratios of filling and topping.

Ingredients

350 grams (12.5 oz) Fish - I use a supermarket mix with smoked haddock in. They come in 350/400 gram portions. I find it super easy this way but you could make your own mix up. It's best to check any fish for bones. I use my clean fingers.

1 kg (35.3 oz) Potatoes - King Edwards or Maris pipers for me but any good mashing potato will do. Here are some mashed potatoes tips.

500 mls Milk - semi skimmed because that is what I have in my fridge but full fat will work too.

100 (35 oz) grams Butter - salted or unsalted. You can use a butter like spread too but I haven't done so myself.

2 tbsp Cream - double cream for the mash because I always have some in my fridge but single will work. You can omit if you prefer.

200 grams (7.05 oz) Cheese - Mature Cheddar for the cheesy flavour. A medium cheddar will reduce the cheesy factor.

50 grams (1.76 oz) Flour - plain or self raising

Method

• Firstly I make my mash. I always make sure my potatoes are really good for mashing. My preference is King Edwards or Maris Pipers.
• Cut your potatoes into 1" chunks. Boil your potatoes until soft enough for mashing. About 15 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes and put back in the saucepan. Add the butter and cream.

• Mash well until smooth. Set aside.

• Place your fish in a small saucepan and add the 500 mls milk. You need a smallish saucepan so that the milk covers the fish.

• Bring up to a simmer and cook for only 60 seconds. Remove from the heat.
• Drain the fish and collect the milk cooking liquid. I use  a sieve. Empty the fish into your cooking dish. Set aside.
• Preheat your oven to 200 C/400 F/Gas Mark 6
• Melt the butter in a saucepan, I use the same one that I cooked the fish in. Add the flour.

• Mix together with a wooden spoon or spatula and cook gently for a minute.

• Swap to a whisk and add the milk and whisk it all until smooth. Bring to a simmer and keep whisking as the mixture thickens.It may look lumpy but keep whisking and the lumps will disappear. Tis magic.
• Add the cheese and stir as it melts. I use a wooden spoon here just because it's easier. Cook for a few minutes.

• Pour the cheese sauce over the fish.

• Mix the two together gently.

• Top with mash baby.

• Place on an oven tray and bake for about 45 minutes at 200 C/400 F/Gas Mark 6 until brown on top with crispy edges. Hell yeah...

What To Serve With Fish Pie?

For me it's petit pois, sweetcorn and ketchup. Carrots are another great flavour combination here.

Tenderstem broccoli or green beans would also be delicious. Any green vegetable really.

What to do with Leftovers

Store covered in the fridge when cool. I reheat leftovers in the microwave until piping hot.

Cheesy Fish Pie Tips

• Make sure your fish mix has smoked haddock in it.
• Use a good potato for mash.
• Use mature cheddar not medium or mild.
• Season the mash carefully.
• Use a whisk to make your cheese sauce lump free
• Use a oven tray underneath when baking to catch any escaping sauce.
• Reheat leftovers in the microwave until piping hot.

Equipment Required

• whisk
• wooden spoon or spatula
• smallish saucepan
• Large saucepan
• 7"/18 cm baking dish
• digital scales
• grater
• spoon for topping the pie with mash
• potato masher

If you like this recipe then you may like these

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese

Cheese and Onion Quiche

Chicken Curry Pie

Sausage Bake

Minced Beef and Onion Pie

Do let me know how you got on in the comments below. I would love to connect with you to on my social media pages. Come on over and join me x