Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie Recipe
If you adore the comforting warmth of a classic pot pie but crave something with a coastal twist, then the Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie Recipe is about to become your new favorite dish. This recipe blends tender shrimp, succulent crab meat, and a medley of vibrant vegetables in a rich, creamy sauce, all topped with irresistibly cheesy, garlicky Cheddar Bay biscuits that bake to golden perfection. It’s a meal that delivers cozy comfort with a deliciously fresh seafood flare, perfect for sharing with friends or treating yourself to something extraordinary on any night of the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything you need for this dish is simple yet carefully chosen to build the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, from the fresh seafood lending sweetness and bite, to the biscuits bringing that iconic cheddar and garlic punch.
- Butter: Essential for sautéing and adding richness to the filling as well as the biscuit topping.
- Onion: Adds a mellow sweetness and depth when softened gently.
- Garlic: Provides aromatic warmth and a subtle kick throughout both filling and biscuit topping.
- All-purpose flour: Acts as the thickening agent for the creamy filling and the base for the biscuit dough.
- Seafood stock or chicken broth: Creates a flavorful liquid base that makes the filling rich without overpowering the seafood.
- Heavy cream or half-and-half: Brings creaminess and a smooth texture to the filling.
- Old Bay seasoning: A classic blend giving the filling that perfect coastal seasoning and a hint of spice.
- Dried thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note to complement the seafood.
- Frozen peas and diced carrots: Contribute color, sweetness, and a satisfying bite.
- Corn (optional): Offers a pop of natural sweetness if you want more vegetable variety.
- Cooked shrimp: The star protein, tender and flavorful.
- Cooked crab meat or scallops: Adds richness and that delicate sea flavor you crave.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp and melty, it’s what makes the biscuit topping unforgettable.
- Baking powder: Gives the biscuits the light, fluffy texture they need.
- Milk: Ties the biscuit dough together, making it soft and tender.
- Garlic powder and salt: Enhance and balance all the flavors both in the filling and biscuits.
- Optional garlic butter topping: A finishing touch that adds extra shine, flavor, and that irresistible garlicky aroma.
How to Make Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Start by melting butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, toss in chopped onion and cook it gently until it’s soft and translucent, releasing its sweet aroma in about 3 to 4 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and let it cook just for 30 seconds to awaken its flavor without burning it.
Step 2: Create the Roux and Sauce
Sprinkle flour over the softened onion and garlic mixture and stir continuously for one minute to form a smooth roux. Slowly whisk in your seafood stock and heavy cream to keep lumps at bay. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens into a luscious sauce, around 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add Seasonings and Vegetables
Mix in Old Bay seasoning and dried thyme to infuse the filling with depth and coastal zest. Fold in peas, carrots, and corn if you’re using it. The vegetables add freshness and a vibrant pop of color that makes your pot pie as beautiful as it is tasty.
Step 4: Incorporate the Seafood
Gently stir in the shrimp and crab meat or scallops, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the creamy filling. Season with salt and pepper to your taste and remove the skillet from heat. Transfer everything to a greased pie dish or an 8×8 baking pan as your base for the biscuit topping.
Step 5: Make the Biscuit Topping
In a bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt. Cut cold, cubed butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and milk, mixing just until combined—take care not to overmix to keep biscuits tender.
Step 6: Assemble and Bake
Drop spoons of the biscuit dough over the seafood filling, covering most of the surface but leaving some gaps for the steam to escape. Place your pot pie in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the biscuits turn golden and fully baked through.
Step 7: Optional Garlic Butter Finish
While the biscuits are hot, brush them with a mixture of melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. This final touch boosts the garlic-cheddar flavors and gives the topping a beautiful sheen.
How to Serve Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley or chives brighten up the dish visually and add a fresh note that contrasts the rich filling. A squeeze of lemon on the side can also enhance the seafood flavors and give a zesty lift to the creamy sauce.
Side Dishes
This seafood pot pie pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette, which balances the richness of the dish. Alternatively, steamed green beans or roasted asparagus add a simple, fresh crunch for a well-rounded meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, serve individual portions in small ramekins topped with the cheddar bay biscuit dough—perfect for personalized servings and elegant plating. You can also experiment by adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika on the biscuits before baking for a unique twist on color and flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, cover the pot pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to three days. The flavors actually meld nicely overnight, so reheating often intensifies the deliciousness.
Freezing
This Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie recipe freezes beautifully. Assemble the dish before baking, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn, and freeze for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, bake directly from frozen, adding extra baking time to ensure the filling is hot and bubbly.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the pot pie loosely with foil and bake at 350°F until warmed through, about 20-25 minutes. For crispier biscuit tops, remove the foil in the last 5 minutes of baking to restore that fresh-from-the-oven texture.
FAQs
Can I use other types of seafood in this pot pie?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap in scallops, lobster, or even firm fish chunks depending on your preference and what’s freshest. Just adjust cooking times if using raw seafood to avoid overcooking.
Is it possible to make the biscuit topping gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but results may vary slightly in texture. Ensure your baking powder is gluten-free and monitor the dough consistency carefully.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time for a party?
Definitely. The filling and biscuit dough can be prepared separately a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake when you’re ready to serve for peak freshness.
What’s the best way to store leftovers to keep the biscuit topping fresh?
Refrigerate leftovers covered with a loose layer of foil so the biscuit topping doesn’t become soggy from condensation. Reheat in the oven to help regain crispiness.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can use non-dairy alternatives like plant-based butter, milk, and cream substitutes. The flavor will be a bit different but still comforting and delicious with those wonderful biscuit topping flavors.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie Recipe that brings together the best of two comfort food worlds. It’s rich, cheesy, buttery, and packed with fresh seafood goodness all under a fluffy, golden biscuit crust that makes every bite feel like a celebration. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or simply treating yourself, this recipe delivers cozy warmth and bright, satisfying flavors that never disappoint. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked on this fabulous take on pot pie in no time!
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Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
This Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie combines a rich and creamy seafood filling with the iconic cheesy, garlicky biscuit topping reminiscent of Red Lobster’s famous biscuits. Packed with shrimp, crab, and vegetables, this comforting dish is baked to golden perfection, making it an ideal main course for seafood lovers looking for a hearty, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup seafood stock or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup diced carrots (steamed or frozen)
- 1/2 cup corn (optional)
- 1/2 pound cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup cooked crab meat or scallops
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cheddar Bay biscuit topping:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
For garlic butter topping (optional):
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the pot pie.
- Make the Filling: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the seafood stock and heavy cream, stirring until the mixture thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add Old Bay seasoning, dried thyme, peas, carrots, optional corn, cooked shrimp, and crab meat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and transfer this filling to a greased 9-inch pie dish or an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Prepare Biscuit Topping: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt. Cut in cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and milk until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the biscuits tender.
- Assemble Pot Pie: Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough evenly over the seafood filling, covering most of the surface but leaving some gaps for steam to escape.
- Bake: Place the pot pie in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the biscuit topping is golden brown and cooked through.
- Optional Garlic Butter Topping: While the pot pie is hot from the oven, mix melted butter with garlic powder and dried parsley and brush it over the biscuit topping for extra flavor and shine.
- Serve: Let the pot pie cool slightly before serving to allow the filling to set. Enjoy this savory, comforting seafood dish with its irresistible cheddar bay biscuit crust.
Notes
- You can use pre-cooked seafood or substitute with canned crab or imitation crab for convenience.
- To make ahead, prepare the filling and biscuit dough separately and store them in the fridge. Assemble just before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American