Fish pie - in four steps
See this recipe step by step

Fish pie - in four steps

Delicious and easy - a fish pie anyone can make. You'll learn how to poach fish and make a white sauce too

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 45 mins

Cook time

Cook 30 mins

Freezable

Freeze without eggs only

Method

  1. Poach the fish. Put the fish in the frying pan and pour over 500ml of the milk. Stud each onion quarter with a clove, then add to the milk, with the bay leaves. Bring the milk just to the boil - you will see a few small bubbles. Reduce the heat and simmer for 8 mins. Lift the fish onto a plate and strain the milk into a jug to cool. Flake the fish into large pieces in the baking dish.
  2. Hard-boil the eggs. Bring a small pan of water to a gentle boil, then carefully lower the eggs in with a slotted spoon. Bring the water back to a gentle boil, with just a couple of bubbles rising to the surface. Set the timer for 8 mins, cook, then drain and cool in a bowl of cold water. Peel, slice into quarters and arrange on top of the fish, then scatter over the chopped parsley.
  3. Make the sauce. Melt half the butter in a pan, stir in the flour and cook for 1 min over moderate heat. Take off the heat, pour in a little of the cold poaching milk, then stir until blended. Continue to add the milk gradually, mixing well until you have a smooth sauce. Return to the heat, bringto the boil and cook for 5 mins, stirring continually, until it coats the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, then pour over the fish.
  4. Assemble and bake. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Boil the potatoes for 20 mins. Drain, season and mash with the remaining butter and milk. Use to top the pie, starting at the edge of the dish and working your way in - push the mash right to the edges to seal. Fluff the top with a fork, sprinkle with cheese, then bake for 30 mins. Make up to a day ahead, chill, then bake for 40 mins.
Try

Different flavours

Seafood: Add 200g raw peeled king prawns to the baking dish along with the poached fish. Salmon & dill: Replace the smoked haddock with 400g skinless salmon fillets, and use dill instead of the parsley. Fish & vegetable: Add 100g each frozen peas and sweetcorn to the baking dish before pouring over the sauce

Per serving

824 kcalories, protein 60g, carbohydrate 61g, fat 40 g, saturated fat 22g, fibre 4g, sugar 10g, salt 3.12 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, January 2007.

Try 3 issues of Good Food magazine for £3 - subscribe now!

Latest comments and suggestions

Results 1-20

  • Binder photo Killian

    27 November 2007

    Killian rated this recipe

    5 stars

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Julia

    18 December 2007

    Julia rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I've made this several times, omitting the eggs and including raw peeled prawns. It's now a firm favourite.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Rosie

    20 December 2007

    Rosie commented on this recipe

    I cannot cook AT ALL and attempted this last night. The recipe was very easy to follow and tasted absolutely delicious!! I didn't put the eggs in either (I forgot to buy them!) but added some prawns instead. I feel very proud of myself today! :-)

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Rosie

    20 December 2007

    Rosie rated this recipe

    5 stars

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Sam

    20 January 2008

    Sam rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    I did not put the eggs in either. Very easy recipe. I did 6 small ones and froze three.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo jana

    25 January 2008

    jana rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Made this last night. Great family meal although kids not sure about the eggs! can't wait to make it again.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo susie

    01 February 2008

    susie commented on this recipe

    really didn't like this recipe, the eggs spoiled it, have tried it without the eggs, much better by far !!!!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo SRoberts

    14 March 2008

    SRoberts rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Delicious! I left out the eggs and used sweetcorn & peas - so tasty - will def be making again.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Heather

    29 March 2008

    Heather rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Gorgeous! Rooted through the freezer and found a monkfish tail, a skate wing and a cod fillet to use with with the smoked haddock for this recipie. My partner gave me some odd looks with the selection of fish that I'd chosen, but the result was a wonderful fish supper that we enjoyed with friends on Good Friday. Everyone loved it. Would definitely make this again.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo jens86

    31 March 2008

    jens86 commented on this recipe

    Didn't add the eggs either due to comments from other people! This was really good, although I used a lot more milk than the recipe called for and I'm glad I did because the sauce was just right. My partner loved it :)

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Zoe

    07 April 2008

    Zoe rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I didnt add the eggs either. this fish pie was easy and lovely the nugmeg really made it we will make it again.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Karen

    05 May 2008

    Karen commented on this recipe

    My four year old's favourite meal! I leave out eggs, use hake and smoked trout, and add chopped chives. Yum!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo chesty

    31 May 2008

    chesty rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    My 12yr old son makes this regularly , but omits the egg and adds chopped deseeded tomatoes and spring onions. If I'd just put it in front of him, he'd have turned his nose up at it, but, because he helped make it the first time, it is now a firm favourite. We leave off the cheese too, but put plenty of seasoning in the mash.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Louise

    03 June 2008

    Louise commented on this recipe

    I'm not really a big fish fan but were having midweek dinner guests so I wanted something easy and different. This was brilliant. I used haddock, smoked mackeril and prawns and the flavour was wonderful. As people had sugested about I left out the eggs. Will not hesitate to make this again!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Tilly

    06 June 2008

    Tilly commented on this recipe

    Have made this with different white and smoked fish, try coley for a change, it's a cheaper fish and sometimes over looked, it's not as white as haddock or cod but in a fish pie it doesn't matter, done it with and without eggs and hubby and I prefer it with eggs.grate some nutmeg in with the mash, yes I agree, leave out the cheese.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Picklepea

    28 June 2008

    Picklepea rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Delicious recipe and very easy! Unlike most posters i 'did' add the eggs as all my old fish recipe does and it adds a depth of flavour...however I did mash them rather than quarter of them. I used cod, smoked haddock and prawns - and my whole family enjoyed it - will use again most definately!!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Angela

    11 July 2008

    Angela rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I have barely cooked anything in my life but this fish pie was amazing and so easy to follow. It went down a treat and my baby and toddler loved it too.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo SteveR

    21 July 2008

    SteveR rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Great recipe simple to cook. Delicious I will be making it again.

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo clacketwood

    16 August 2008

    clacketwood rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Ive also made this several times without the eggs. I think it tastes as good, after its been frozen

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo egglover

    20 August 2008

    egglover commented on this recipe

    This is a family favourite, however I make sure I add additional eggs to this recipe as I can't get enough of that great eggy taste. After all a fish pie isn't a fish pie without boiled eggs!

    Flag as inappropriate

    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Leave a comment or suggestion

You must sign in or register to leave a comment.

Sign in / Register

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 45 mins

Cook time

Cook 30 mins

Freezable

Freeze without eggs only

Easy to make ahead

Ingredients

  • 400g skinless white fish fillet
  • 400g skinless smoked haddock fillet
  • 600ml full-fat milk
  • 1 small onion , quartered
  • 4 cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 eggs
  • small bunch parsley , leaves only, chopped
  • 100g butter
  • 50g plain flour
  • pinch freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1kg floury potato , peeled and cut into even-sized chunks
  • 50g cheddar , grated
Print this recipe
Add to your binder

Per serving

824 kcalories, protein 60g, carbohydrate 61g, fat 40 g, saturated fat 22g, fibre 4g, sugar 10g, salt 3.12 g

Advertisement

Your binder

Here are three other great reasons why to sign up:

  • You get an online binder, where you can store all your favourite recipes and create menus.
  • You can add your own recipes to this site for others to try; plus, rate and make comments on recipes, and share your views on our blog.

Follow Good Food

Advertisement

All about Good Food

Magazine

Good Food Magazine

Subscribe to Good Food magazine - enjoy 100+ triple-tested recipes delivered to your door, every month.

Order today, and receive your first 3 issues for just £3

On TV

Foodie TV

See your favourite chefs on Sky Channel 247, Virgin TV 260 and find their recipes at goodfoodchannel.co.uk.

Good Food Apps

Good Food Apps

For Good Food on the go, download our apps to your phone or portable device.
Find out more here

Buy ingredients

With just one click, the full list of recipe ingredients will be put into a basket at your choice of provider. Choose from:

mySupermarket Compare prices and choose a retailer you wish to buy them from.

Ocado Let Ocado deliver all you need for this recipe, right to your door

Tesco Buy all the ingredients from our recipes through your Tesco online shop.

new

Asda Shop with Asda? You can now buy ingredients for our recipes via your Asda online shop.

In association with the above providers. Terms and conditions apply.

Close