Fish Pie with Mashed Potato Topping, an all-time favourite classic British recipe that brings all the family together around the table. A creamy salmon and veggies filling topped with cheesy mashed potatoes, and baked until golden, this is what comfort food looks like.
There are dishes that are perfect for the cold season, like stews or hot soups, they are soothing and ideal when you need a bit of comfort. Other dishes are so refreshing, and are best during the hot summer days to cool us down.
And there is yet another category of dishes that are perfect all year round. And this lovely fish pie with mashed potato topping is definitely one of those foods. No matter what time or day, will always be the first choice when it comes about cooking the perfect family meal.
What is so great about it is that everybody can tuck into it, there is no strong flavour or spiciness to keep little ones away. But it is so delicious, you will find yourself making it again the very next day.
The creamy mashed potatoes works so beautifully with the fish and veggie filling. You can make this fish pie with puff pasty or shortcrust pastry too, but I find the mash a better choice.
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Ingredients needed to make a fish pie filling
- salmon fillets - you can use mixed fish or seafood too
- spring onion - or regular onion
- frozen mixed vegetables - or the mixed vegetables of your choice
- butter - I prefer salted butter
- plain flour - to thicken the white sauce
- milk - full-fat milk is the best
- a pinch of ground black pepper
- grated parmesan cheese
- dijon mustard
Ingredients needed to make the mash
- potatoes -regular potatoes cut into cubes and boiled, or baby potatoes boiled in their skin
- butter - salted is excellent
- milk - to add creaminess
- salt - to taste
- grated cheddar cheese - for garnishing the dish
Easy swaps
I used salmon for my fish pie, but cod is another great option, and many people use it to make this kind of fish pie. Haddock, or smocked haddock, is also a nice choice, so just use your favourite fish and enjoy a great meal. Seafood is another great option for this pie.
The only thing to keep in mind is that the fish has to be cooked before adding it to the white sauce. I baked the salmon, but you can pan fry it too, it's up to you.
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Step-by-step photos and instructions
- To make the sauce, add butter to a pan, melt, then add the flour and stir well to get a smooth paste.
- Pour the milk in gradually, whisking well to avoid any lumps until the sauce thickens.
- Once the sauce has thickened, you can season it with salt and pepper, add the grated cheese (cheddar, parmesan, gouda, any cheese you like), dijon mustard, and that's all.
The sauce is the famous bechamel sauce, that can be used for any pie, like my Chicken Pie, or Veggie pie. Other dishes made with bechamel sauce are: macaroni cheese, or any kind of pasta bake.
- Once the sauce is ready, and the salmon is cooked through, chop or shred the salmon and add it to the sauce together with the mixed veggies, and give everything a good stir.
- Transfer the mixture to an oven-proof dish, and top with mashed potatoes, then sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes until it's golden and bubbling hot.
Recipe FAQs
Dill and parsley are the best herbs to be used with this dish. The dill has that distinctive flavour that makes any dish stand out, and the parsley garnishes the pie nicely, adding colour and freshness.
Yes, once the pie is assembled in a freezer-friendly container, leave it to cool at room temperature, as the mash and sauce might still be warm, then freeze. The pie can then be baked from frozen until bubbling hot.
Other pie recipes
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Fish Pie with Mashed Potato Topping
Ingredients
For the fish filling
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 spring onion
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 25 g butter
- 1 tablespoon plain flour
- 1 cup milk
- a pinch of ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
For the mashed potato topping:
- 1 kg potatoes
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 knob of butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
Herbs
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill and parsely
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (390 Fahrenheit).
- Place the salmon fillets on a baking tray, season with salt and pepper, and bake for 15 minutes until thoroughly cooked.
- Remove from the oven and allow them to cool.
- Place the cubed potatoes in a pot and cover with water.
- Add a pinch of salt and boil until tender.
- Drain the water, then add milk, salt and butter.
- Use a masher to mash until it's light and creamy.
- Set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour, whisking well.
- Add the milk and continue to whisk until the sauce thickens.
- Next, season with ground black pepper, add the parmesan cheese, dijon mustard, and stir.
- In goes the salmon, which can be cut into chunks or use two forks to shred them.
- The mixed veggies and chopped spring onion can go in as well.
- Give the mixture a good stir and spoon it onto 2 smaller oven-proof dishes or a larger one.
- Top it with mashed potatoes and sprinkle over the cheddar cheese.
- Bake at 180 degrees Celsius (350 Fahrenheit) for 20-25 minutes until golden and piping hot.
Video
Notes
- Click on the US Customary link to see the measurements displayed in cups and ounces.
- The servings can be adjusted by clicking the number next to Servings.
Nutrition
Tom Yanno says
Who says great food doesn’t come from the British Isles???!!! This recipe is going into my rotation! I had too much leftover mashers from the previous night, searched for a recipe with salmon and potatoes…and yours was perfect.
Here in coastal South Carolina early March, I have plenty of spring onions, dill and parsley growing, so those ingredients came straight from the garden.
Needed to bake longer than 30 minutes to make sure the veggies were cooked and hot throughout. I chopped a few scallops and shrimp and threw them in the mix also. Thank you for sharing Daniella!
Daniela Apostol says
That’s fantastic! I am delighted that you enjoy the recipe! Growing your own herbs is indeed so satisfying!
Bryan Currie says
Made this for dinner tonight, steamed the salmon instead of baking it, added some prawns as well, turned out very nice.
Ingrid says
Hi- can you use canned salmon?
Daniela Apostol says
Yes, absolutely!
Sarah Blackman says
Can this be frozen before putting in the oven?
Daniela Apostol says
Yes, definitely! Just bake it until it's bubbling hot.
Terry Slade says
Thinking of doing a fish pie with some sea food too scallops prawns and squid .
Should I cook the squid first 🤔 thanks Terry
Tiffany says
Hi, Daniela Apostol
I love Fish pie with peas and mash topping ! this looking so much delicious! It makes me feel hungry…
Can’t wait to try it out. 🙂
Thanks for sharing !
Daniela Apostol says
Hi Tiffany,
Thank you! I am so glad you like it. It is my favourite fish pie and so easy to make.
Renee says
Can you eat half and heat the rest the following day
Daniela Apostol says
If the fish used was fresh, yes, that's absolutely fine.
Millie Thom says
This looks delicious, Daniela. I like fish pie with any white fish. Although I love salmon, I've never tried it in fish pie, but I think it should be just as nice.
Daniela Apostol says
I may try soon with salmon as well, l love it, hopefully it will taste nice in a fish pie too. Thanks, Millie! ?
Jay says
Hi. Ingredients for the cheeses and the instructions for where they go don't match. Please advise if cheddar is for sauce, per ingredients, or topping per instructions.