Traditional British Fish Pie

This fluffy fish pie combines tender poached cod with leeks and peas in a creamy sauce topped with cheesy mashed potatoes and baked until golden.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins
• Calories: 504 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 1 bay leaf
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup peas
• 1 (1 pound) fillet cod
• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 medium leek, white part only, chopped
• 4 ounces grated sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, quartered
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup butter, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and let cool.

Step 3

Mash potatoes in a large bowl. Mix in 3 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons poaching liquid until potatoes are fairly stiff and not too runny.

Step 4

Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat and stir in leek. Cook and stir until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until top is starting to brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Step 6

Combine milk, bay leaf, and nutmeg in a large pan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Add cod and poach until flaky, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer cod onto a plate; reserve poaching liquid. Use a fork to flake fish into bite-size pieces.

Step 7

Melt remaining 1/4-cup butter over medium heat in a large, deep skillet until it just stops bubbling. Add flour and stir roux continuously for 1 minute. Slowly pour in remaining poaching liquid, continuously stirring, to make base of sauce. Add 1/2 of sharp Cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Fold in flaked cod, leek, and peas. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 8

Place fish mixture in an oven-proof dish; press boiled eggs gently into filling across the surface. Cover with a thick layer of mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese.