Get ready to experience a comfort food masterpiece with this incredible Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie recipe. Imagine a rich, creamy filling packed with tender shrimp, succulent crab, and perfectly cooked vegetables, all nestled under a golden-brown, cheesy biscuit topping. This dish combines the beloved flavors of Red Lobster’s famous biscuits with the timeless appeal of a classic pot pie. It’s the perfect cozy dinner for a chilly evening and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds. If you love hearty, flavorful meals like our Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup (coming soon), you’re going to fall in love with this seafood creation.
We’re taking all the best elements of a traditional pot pie and elevating them with a savory seafood twist and that iconic, garlicky, cheesy biscuit crust. It’s decadent, satisfying, and surprisingly straightforward to make right in your own kitchen.
Why This Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie Is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another seafood recipe; it’s a game-changer for weeknight dinners and special occasions alike. It’s a complete meal in one dish, making both preparation and cleanup a breeze.
- Unbeatable Flavor: The combination of the creamy, savory seafood filling and the sharp, garlicky cheddar biscuit topping is simply irresistible.
- Hearty and Satisfying: Packed with protein and wholesome vegetables, this pot pie is a truly filling and comforting meal.
- Restaurant Quality at Home: Why go out when you can create a dish that rivals your favorite restaurant’s seafood special? Making this Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie at home is not only delicious but also incredibly rewarding.
- Perfectly Versatile: You can easily customize the seafood and vegetables based on what you have on hand or what’s in season.
Ingredients for Your Pot Pie
This recipe is broken down into two main components: the luscious seafood filling and the iconic biscuit topping. Here’s what you’ll need for each.
For the Creamy Seafood Filling
- Butter: Provides a rich base for the roux and sautés the vegetables beautifully.
- Onion, Carrots, and Celery: The classic mirepoix trio creates an essential aromatic flavor foundation.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a pungent, savory depth.
- All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the filling to a perfectly creamy consistency.
- Vegetable or Seafood Broth: Forms the liquid base of the sauce. Seafood broth will intensify the flavor, but vegetable broth works wonderfully too.
- Heavy Cream: Adds richness and a velvety smooth texture.
- Old Bay Seasoning: This classic seafood seasoning is a must for its distinctive, savory flavor profile.
- Shrimp: Use raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp. Medium-sized shrimp work best.
- Lump Crab Meat: Adds a sweet, delicate flavor and luxurious texture.
- Frozen Peas and Corn: For a pop of color, sweetness, and classic pot pie feel.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
For the Irresistible Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of our biscuits.
- Baking Powder: The leavening agent that makes the biscuits light and fluffy.
- Sugar: Just a touch to balance the savory flavors.
- Garlic Powder: A key ingredient for that signature Cheddar Bay flavor.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors.
- Cold Butter: Use unsalted and cubed. Cold butter is crucial for creating flaky layers.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese will melt better and provide the best flavor.
- Buttermilk: Adds a slight tang and tenderizes the biscuit dough.
- Garlic Herb Butter Topping: A simple mix of melted butter, garlic powder, and fresh parsley to brush on top after baking.
How to Make Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping pot pie. We’ll start with the filling and then move on to the easy, drop-biscuit topping.
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Filling
Start by melting the butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for one minute to cook out the raw flour taste. This forms your roux.
Slowly whisk in the broth, a little at a time, to prevent lumps. Once smooth, whisk in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened. Season with Old Bay, salt, and pepper. Stir in the shrimp, crab meat, frozen peas, and corn. Cook just until the shrimp are pink and opaque, then remove from heat.
Step 2: Assemble the Pot Pie
Pour the prepared seafood filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish or a large cast-iron skillet. Spread it into an even layer. Set aside while you prepare the biscuit topping.
Step 3: Make the Biscuit Topping
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, garlic powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Pour in the buttermilk and mix with a fork until just combined—do not overmix!
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough evenly over the top of the seafood filling. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the biscuit topping is golden brown and cooked through. While it’s baking, mix together the melted butter, garlic powder, and fresh parsley for the topping. As soon as the pot pie comes out of the oven, brush the garlic herb butter generously over the warm biscuits. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Seafood Pot Pie
Want to ensure your Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie is absolutely flawless? Follow these expert tips.
- Don’t Overcook the Seafood: Shrimp cooks very quickly. Add it at the very end to the filling and cook just until it turns pink to keep it tender and juicy.
- Use Cold Butter: For the flakiest, most tender biscuits, make sure your butter is very cold. This creates steam pockets as it melts in the oven, resulting in a lighter texture.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. For the best cheesy flavor and melt, buy a block and shred it yourself.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix the biscuit dough until it just comes together. Overworking the dough will develop the gluten and result in tough, dense biscuits. For another delicious comfort food with a cheesy twist, check out our Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese.
What to Serve With Your Pot Pie
This Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie is a hearty meal on its own, but a simple side can complete the experience. A light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a perfect fresh contrast. For a wholesome vegetable side, these Healthy Sautéed Vegetables are an excellent and easy choice.
Storing and Reheating Your Masterpiece
Leftovers are just as delicious the next day! Store any leftover pot pie tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place it in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. This method helps the biscuit topping crisp up again.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can prepare the filling up to 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, for the best texture, prepare the biscuit topping right before you’re ready to bake and serve.
Absolutely. To save time, you can use a biscuit mix like Bisquick or even a canned biscuit dough. For the signature flavor, just add shredded cheddar cheese and garlic powder to the mix before baking.
Yes, you can use frozen seafood. For best results, thaw the shrimp completely before adding it to the filling. You can add other frozen seafood like scallops or fish, but ensure it’s thawed and patted dry to avoid excess water in the sauce.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The best way to reheat it is in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. This helps the biscuit topping become firm and crispy again.
A 9×13 inch ceramic or glass baking dish works perfectly for this recipe. A large, 12-inch cast-iron skillet is also an excellent choice as it provides even heating and can go from stovetop to oven, which is great for presentation.
The Ultimate Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie Recipe
Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Melt 4 tbsp butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup of flour and stir for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Slowly whisk in the broth and heavy cream until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until thickened. Season with Old Bay, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the shrimp, crab meat, frozen peas, and corn. Cook just until the shrimp are pink, then remove from heat.
- Pour the filling into a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, and salt.
- Cut in the 1/2 cup of cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the cheddar cheese.
- Pour in the buttermilk and mix with a fork until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Drop spoonfuls of biscuit dough over the seafood filling.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the biscuits are golden brown.
- In a small bowl, mix together 2 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and fresh parsley. Brush over the hot biscuits as soon as they come out of the oven. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Ensure your butter and buttermilk are very cold for the fluffiest biscuits.
Feel free to add other vegetables like potatoes or mushrooms to the filling.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie recipe! It’s a true labor of love that we know your family will adore. If you make it, don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. And for more delicious recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest and share your creations!
