Fish pie

A traditional British dish that's both simple and satisfying. Our easy fish pie recipe combines plenty of tasty fish, creamy sauce and fluffy mashed potatoes, perfect for a tasty midweek treat or a hearty weekend feast. Packed with flavour, this pie will be one of your greatest comfort foods that the whole family will love. 

30 minutes prep. time
1 hour cooking time
Serves 6
Pies & savoury treats

A dish of fish pie with a portion removed, and fresh salmon alongside on a wooden board — Creamy and delicious: fish pie | © National Trust Images/William Shaw

For the filling 

600g fresh fish, such as salmon and cod 
600ml milk 
1 onion, quartered 
2 bay leaves 
6 peppercorns 
1 leek 
50g butter 
75g cornflour 
150g king prawns 
6 eggs, hardboiled and chopped into quarters 
2 smoked mackerel fillets, deboned and flaked 
20g fresh parsley

For the topping 

1kg potatoes 
50g butter 
75g Cheddar cheese, grated 
salt and pepper

Add crisps for crunch

For an extra crunch, you can add some broken crisps, preferably salted, to the cheese before sprinkling on top of the pie. 

Step 1

Check your fresh fish for bones and cut into bite-sized chunks. 

Step 2

Place the milk in a pan with the onion, fresh fish, bay leaves and peppercorns and gently bring to the boil. As soon as it's reached a boil, remove from the heat, top with a lid and leave to stand for 10 minutes. 

Step 3

Strain and reserve the milk from the fish, remove the peppercorns, onion and bay leaves and leave the fish to one side. 

Step 4

Next, peel and chop your potatoes for your mashed potato topping. Place in a pan with water, boil until tender, drain and mash with the butter and season with salt and pepper. 

Step 5

Finely slice the leek and place in a heavy-based pan with the butter, and sauté until soft. 

Step 6

Add the cornflour and stir well into the leeks. Gradually add the reserved poaching milk and stir until thick. 

Step 7

Place the poached fish, prawns, egg, smoked mackerel and parsley in an ovenproof dish. Pour over the leek sauce and mix until everything is evenly coated. 

Step 8

Spoon the mashed potato gently on top, spreading out evenly, and then roughen the top with a fork. 

Step 9

Top with the grated cheese and cook in a preheated oven at 170°C (150°C fan/gas mark 3) for 25–30 minutes, until the filling is bubbling hot and the top is crisp and golden. 