Welcome to a recipe that combines the rich, savory goodness of a classic seafood pot pie with the iconic, cheesy delight of Cheddar Bay Biscuits. This Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie is the ultimate comfort food masterpiece. It features a creamy, flavorful filling packed with tender shrimp and succulent crab, all nestled under a blanket of golden-brown, homemade cheddar and garlic biscuits. If you’ve been searching for a show-stopping dinner that is surprisingly easy to assemble, your search ends here. This dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or for impressing guests.
Why You’ll Love This Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie
This isn’t just another seafood recipe; it’s an experience. We’ve taken two beloved classics and merged them into one unforgettable dish. The creamy seafood filling is perfectly seasoned, and the biscuit topping provides a fluffy, cheesy, and slightly crispy crust that beats a traditional pastry crust any day.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of savory seafood, a rich cream sauce, and garlic-herb biscuits is simply irresistible.
- Customizable: Easily swap in your favorite seafood like scallops or lobster to make it your own.
- Hearty and Comforting: It’s a complete, satisfying meal in one dish that will warm you up from the inside out.
- Impressive Yet Achievable: This recipe looks and tastes gourmet, but it’s straightforward enough for any enthusiastic home cook to master.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start, let’s gather the ingredients. This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find components to create its signature flavor. For another hearty meal, consider this classic beef stew recipe.
For the Seafood Filling:
- Butter: Provides the rich base for our sauce.
- Vegetables: A classic mix of yellow onion, carrots, celery, and garlic creates the aromatic foundation.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is our thickening agent for the creamy sauce.
- Chicken Broth & Heavy Cream: Together, they create a luscious, flavorful sauce.
- Seasonings: Old Bay seasoning, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper are essential.
- Seafood: A delicious combination of raw shrimp (peeled and deveined) and lump crab meat.
- Frozen Peas: For a pop of color and sweetness.
For the Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping:
- Baking Mix: Use a store-bought mix like Bisquick for convenience.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded is best for melting.
- Cold Water: To bring the biscuit dough together.
- Melted Butter & Garlic Powder: For brushing on top to get that classic Cheddar Bay flavor.
How to Make Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie
Follow these simple steps to create a perfect seafood pot pie. The process is broken down into making the filling and then topping it with our easy, cheesy biscuits.
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Seafood Filling
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and cook until they begin to soften, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it’s fragrant.
Next, sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for two minutes. This step is crucial as it cooks out the raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Then, pour in the heavy cream and add the Old Bay seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened into a beautiful, creamy sauce.
Finally, gently fold in the raw shrimp, lump crab meat, and frozen peas. Pour this entire mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it evenly.
Step 2: Make the Biscuit Topping
In a medium bowl, combine the baking mix and the shredded cheddar cheese. Pour in the cold water and stir with a fork until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; just combine until the ingredients are moistened. Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough evenly over the top of the seafood filling in the baking dish.
Step 3: Bake and Finish
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The pot pie is done when the filling is bubbly and the biscuit topping is a deep golden brown. While it’s baking, stir the garlic powder into the melted butter. As soon as the pot pie comes out of the oven, brush the garlic butter generously over the hot biscuits. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for the Perfect Seafood Pot Pie
To ensure your Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie turns out perfectly every time, here are a few expert tips.
- Don’t Overcook the Seafood: The shrimp goes in raw and will cook to perfection in the oven. Adding it pre-cooked can make it tough.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as smoothly.
- Don’t Overmix the Biscuits: For a tender, fluffy biscuit topping, mix the dough just until it comes together. Overmixing develops gluten and can make them tough.
Looking for a lighter seafood dish? This garlic parmesan crusted halibut is a fantastic option.
What to Serve with Your Pot Pie
This pot pie is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette or some steamed green beans would be excellent choices. If you want more greens, these honey balsamic brussels sprouts are a crowd-pleaser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can freeze it. For best results, freeze the filling separately from the biscuit topping. Thaw the filling in the refrigerator overnight, then top with fresh biscuit dough and bake as directed. You can also freeze the fully baked and cooled pot pie, though the biscuits may be a bit softer upon reheating.
You can prepare the filling up to 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, pour the cold filling into the baking dish, top with freshly made biscuit dough, and you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. You can easily substitute the shrimp and crab with other seafood like lobster chunks, scallops, or a firm white fish like cod or halibut, cut into 1-inch pieces.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. This helps keep the biscuit topping from getting soggy.
If your sauce seems too thin after simmering, you can thicken it by making a small slurry. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water until smooth, then whisk it into the simmering sauce. Let it cook for another minute or two until it reaches your desired consistency.
The Ultimate Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie Recipe
Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie: The Ultimate Comfort Meal
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, then the heavy cream. Add Old Bay, parsley, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, until thickened.
- Remove from heat and gently fold in the raw shrimp, lump crab meat, and frozen peas. Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine the baking mix and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir in the cold water until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Drop spoonfuls of biscuit dough evenly over the seafood filling.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the biscuit topping is golden brown.
- While baking, combine the 1/4 cup of melted butter and garlic powder. Brush the garlic butter over the hot biscuits immediately after removing from the oven. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
You can substitute the shrimp and crab with other seafood like lobster, scallops, or firm white fish like cod.
Ensure your baking mix is fresh for the best biscuit rise.
Share Your Creation!
We are sure this Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie will become a new favorite in your home. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and elegance. If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Share a photo on Pinterest and let us know what you think in the comments below.
