RecipesScotlandScottish Fish Pie

Scottish Fish Pie

A comforting and hearty fish pie featuring a creamy white sauce, a medley of sustainable Scottish seafood, and a fluffy mashed potato topping.

Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings6
DifficultyMedium
Scottish Fish Pie - Scotland traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 500 g White fish fillets (e.g., cod, haddock)(skinless and boneless, cut into chunks)
  • 200 g Smoked haddock(skinless and boneless, cut into chunks)
  • 150 g Prawns(peeled and deveined)
  • 75 g Butter
  • 75 g Plain flour
  • 600 ml Milk
  • 100 ml Double cream
  • 30 g Fresh parsley(chopped)
  • 1 tsp Lemon zest
  • 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
  • 1 kg Potatoes(Maris Piper or King Edward, peeled and quartered)
  • 50 g Butter(for mashing)
  • 50 ml Milk(for mashing)
  • 50 g Cheddar cheese(grated, for topping (optional))

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan/Gas Mark 6).

    💡 Tip: Ensure oven is fully preheated before placing the pie inside.
  2. 2

    Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain well and mash with butter and milk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

    ⏱️ 20 minutes
  3. 3

    Melt 75g butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.

    ⏱️ 2 minutes
  4. 4

    Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in the double cream, parsley, and lemon zest.

    💡 Tip: Whisk continuously to prevent lumps.
  5. 5

    Gently fold in the chunks of white fish, smoked haddock, and prawns. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    💡 Tip: Be careful not to break up the fish too much.
  6. 6

    Pour the fish mixture into an ovenproof dish.

  7. 7

    Spoon the mashed potato evenly over the fish mixture, creating a decorative topping with a fork if desired.

    💡 Tip: Ensure the mash seals the edges to prevent the sauce from bubbling over.
  8. 8

    Sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese, if using. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling.

    ⏱️ 35 minutes
    💡 Tip: If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
  9. 9

    Let the pie stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

    ⏱️ 10 minutes

💡 Pro Tips

  • Use a mix of white fish and oily fish for depth of flavour.
  • Ensure all fish is cooked through but not overcooked, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
  • For a richer sauce, you can use fish stock instead of some of the milk.

🔄 Variations

  • Add a handful of peas or sweetcorn to the fish mixture.
  • Incorporate a tablespoon of Dijon mustard into the sauce for a little tang.
  • Use a mix of seafood, such as mussels or scallops.

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