Curried Fish Pie with Potatoes (Printable)

Tender fish in creamy curry sauce topped with golden, crispy mashed potatoes for ultimate comfort.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 14 oz white fish fillets (cod or haddock), skinless and boneless, cut into chunks
02 - 5.3 oz smoked fish (smoked haddock), skinless and boneless, cut into chunks
03 - 3.5 oz cooked peeled shrimp

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 medium carrot, diced
07 - 3.5 oz frozen peas

→ Sauce

08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
10 - 13.5 fl oz whole milk
11 - 3.4 fl oz fish or vegetable stock
12 - 1 tablespoon mild curry powder
13 - 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Potato Topping

16 - 28 oz potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
18 - 1.7 fl oz milk
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, approximately 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly, mash with butter and milk, then season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
03 - While potatoes cook, heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and garlic; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in curry powder and turmeric; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to combine with fat.
06 - Gradually whisk in milk and stock. Cook while stirring until thickened and smooth, approximately 4-5 minutes.
07 - Add white fish, smoked fish, and peas. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in shrimp, parsley, salt, and pepper.
08 - Transfer curried fish filling to a baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes evenly on top, roughing up the surface with a fork to promote crispiness.
09 - Bake for 25 minutes until topping is golden and crispy. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It takes the cozy nostalgia of fish pie and wakes it up with warm spices that never overpower the delicate seafood.
  • The crispy mashed potato topping gets those irresistible golden edges that everyone fights over at the table.
  • It uses simple pantry spices to transform humble ingredients into something that feels like a proper treat.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully, and somehow taste even better the next day when the flavors have melded together.
02 -
  • Don't skip roughing up the potato topping with a fork, those little peaks are what turn golden and crunchy and make the texture so satisfying.
  • Add the shrimp at the very end off the heat or they'll turn rubbery and sad instead of plump and sweet.
  • Let the pie rest for a full 5 minutes after baking, it makes serving so much easier and the flavors settle into each other beautifully.
03 -
  • Make the filling a day ahead and store it in the fridge, then top with fresh mash and bake when you're ready to eat.
  • Use a piping bag to create swirls of mashed potato on top if you want it to look extra fancy with minimal effort.
  • Serve with a crisp green salad or steamed greens to cut through the richness and balance the plate.
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