Freezer Friendly Fish Pie

Fish Pie is a classic dish that makes many people think of home. I have found that everyone seems to have their own take on a fish pie. So I share this with you as my take on a freezer friendly fish pie that even fussy eaters will enjoy. 

This fish pie can be made as easy as you wish it to be. Over the years I have found ways to make this recipe one I can knock together in 10 mins and then let it bake in the oven. 

The number one time saving tip is the freezer.

I use frozen fish, I have bought fish pie mixes before. These generally contain Salmon, Cod and Smoked Haddock – a great combination. If you have a fussy eater who only likes white fish; I have made this entirely with Pollock or Cod and its is as homely and comforting as ever.
I also on occasion use frozen pre chopped onion. We all have busy lives and this saves time. Also so many recipes state, in their ingredients list, that your onion should already be chopped. Therefore I feel no guilt when using frozen chopped onion. Only satisfaction that I have saved not only time and my sinuses but also some washing up.

Another huge time saver is to have premade mashed potato. This can be from the night before and stored in the fridge. You can also buy trays of mashed potato from the supermarket that serve two people. I have used this and I can tell you it works! No one will know you didn’t toil away getting lump free mash. One thing I will say on the mashed potato front is that it must be fridge cold when you come to use it. This way you can make what would serve 2 people as a side serve 4 as a pie topping.

Its almost embarrassing admitting that you can use pre-chopped onion, ready made mash, fish pie mix already cut and frozen peas. You need only to make a white sauce, mix together and top then bake. In fact, if it didn’t taste so good I would keep these secrets to myself. If you do take these shortcuts I promise you that no one would ever guess and you can bathe in the praise for having ‘slaved’ over this fish pie.

You can get this dish from Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2YNjFq2

I always make a pie that can serve 4 and freeze it. If I’m cooking for the two of us then we will eat half and freeze half. You can even freeze it in portions ready to defrost and reheat. Great for those days when cooking seems like a chore, or you just don’t have the time to man the stove.

If you try this recipe do let me know how you get on, or if you use different fish or add hard-boiled eggs as I know some do. A sprinkle of curry powder turns this into a completely different experience. Let me know how you do it in the comments below.

If you try it show me how it goes on Instagram and tag me @cubbinthekitchen for a chance to be featured in my stories.
Another fish recipe of mine is Cashew Crusted Cod – well worth a read.

Freezer Friendly Fish Pie

So cosy and comforting and freezes so brilliantly

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine British

Servings 4

Calories 398 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Sauce

• 25 grams Butter
• 25 grams Plain Flour
• 300 ml Milk preferably warm
• 1 small Onion
• 0.5 tsp Paprika
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice juice of half a lemon

For the Filling

• 1 pack Fish Pie Mix (can be frozen) or 4 Fish Fillets
• Good Handful Frozen Petit Pois

For the Top

• 400 grams Mashed Potato fridge cold
• Good handful Grated Cheese

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 180° Fan or 200° Conventional.
• Finely chop the Onion. (Or remove chopped onion from the freezer)
• In a saucepan melt the Butter.
• Once the butter is foamy stir in the Flour to make a roux. Cook the flour out about 2 mins.
• Whisk in the Milk slowly, making sure it is smooth. The warm milk helps it incorporate better.
• Add the Onion, Paprika, Lemon Juice and a good pinch of Salt and Pepper. The lemon juice should cause it to thicken more also.This sauce should be thicker than you think it should be. The frozen fish will leak out water and thin out the sauce to create a short cut to creamy cosiness.
• In a large dish put the Fish Pie Mix or snip up fillets, and frozen peas.
• Add the Sauce to the fish and peas and mix to coat the fish. It won’t look pretty but it will taste fantastic.
• Take your mash out of the fridge and attack with your hands; kids love this part if you, like my fiancée, are not keen on the hands on approach.Crumble the mash over the fish mixture. I do a thin layer and then go back over and fill in the spaces. 
• Scatter over the Cheese to cover the top.
• Bake in the oven for 35 – 45 mins until the top is crisp and the sauce is bubbling at the edges.
• I let this sit for 5-10 mins before slicing as it helps it hold together better for easier portioning. 

Notes

LEFTOVERS TIP

Of course you can freeze this pie you could make it completely and then let it cool, cover in cling film then foil and freeze.

If you want a different type of meal you can mix the mash top and filling together cool and shape into fishcakes, coat with flour then egg and breadcrumbs and fry in a pan serve with a salad as a starter or a light lunch.

Keyword British, Comfort Food, Dinner, Easy, Family, Fish, Freeze, Lunch, Mash, Mashed Potato, Pie, Simple, Supper