Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie

Featured in Hearty Main Courses.

Savor the warmth of a classic pot pie, elevated by the savory flavors of the sea and fluffy Cheddar Bay biscuits. This dish pairs tender shrimp, sweet crab, and delicate langostino tails in a creamy, herb-infused sauce, all nestled beneath golden, cheesy biscuits. It's designed for ease—whether for family dinner or entertaining friends. Make the filling ahead, swap in your favorite seafood, and serve up a bubbling, coastal-inspired casserole that's sure to impress.

Casey
Updated on Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:34:13 GMT
A bowl of food with shrimp and biscuits. Pin it
A bowl of food with shrimp and biscuits. | cookingwithcasey.com

Coastal-inspired comfort comes to the table in this Seafood Pot Pie, bubbling with shrimp, crab, and langostino all wrapped in a velvety sauce and topped with fluffy Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Whenever I need a dish that feels special but does not require hours at the stove, it is my go-to for impressing friends and family with minimal fuss.

My family always lights up when they see this on the dinner table. The biscuits puff up beautifully in the oven and the creamy filling is an instant comfort—my kids scrape their dishes clean every time I make it.

Ingredients

  • Olive oil: brings everything together with a hint of richness
  • Large shrimp: choose firm and fresh or quality frozen for the sweetest bite
  • Langostino tails or lobster: these make the filling extra tender and special
  • Jumbo lump crabmeat: always check for shell pieces and use real or imitation as you prefer
  • Diced onion: for savory sweetness that forms the base
  • Diced bell pepper: adds color and a little sweetness
  • Diced celery: for another layer of classic coastal flavor and crunch
  • Salt and pepper to taste: always season gradually and taste as you go
  • Butter: use quality unsalted for the richest sauce
  • All-purpose flour: thickens the gravy for that signature pot pie texture
  • Low-sodium chicken broth: keeps the filling flavorful without being too salty
  • Heavy cream: for creamy decadence
  • Minced garlic: fresh is best for bold punch
  • Dried thyme: a must for deep herbal notes
  • Dried tarragon: lends a subtle, elegant anise flavor
  • Smoked paprika: gives it a hint of warmth and depth
  • Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix: saves time and brings signature biscuit flavor
  • Milk: binds the biscuit dough just right
  • Shredded mild cheddar cheese: melts perfectly for fluffy biscuits
  • Herb garlic seasoning from biscuit mix: for brushing the tops and extra savoriness

I always go for the freshest seafood I can find and gently pick over the crab for shell bits. For the biscuits, I use extra mild cheddar for dreamy meltiness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Seafood:
Pat shrimp and langostino tails dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and ensure a perfect sear. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and langostino. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté until just pink and cooked through about two or three minutes. Promptly remove from pan and set aside to avoid overcooking.
Sauté Vegetables:
Return the skillet to medium heat. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Let vegetables sweat gently until onions are translucent and soft—about four or five minutes. This slow sauté draws out their sweetness and gives the filling a flavorful base.
Make the Roux:
Lower the heat to medium low. Add butter and allow it to melt into the softened vegetables. Sprinkle in flour evenly and stir constantly. Cook this mixture for at least one minute so the raw flour taste disappears and the base thickens slightly.
Build the Gravy:
Slowly pour the chicken broth into the pan in a steady stream, stirring the entire time to prevent lumps. Once all the broth is added, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it bubble until it begins to thicken. Pour in heavy cream and continue stirring until you have a smooth, velvety sauce.
Season and Simmer:
Add minced garlic, dried thyme, dried tarragon, smoked paprika, and any extra salt and pepper to the sauce. Let these flavorings mingle for about two or three minutes on low heat. This melds the flavors and lets the herbs bloom fully in the sauce.
Add the Seafood:
Gently return the cooked shrimp, langostino, and crab meat to the skillet. Fold everything together softly so the seafood stays in big juicy pieces. Take the skillet off the heat.
Prepare the Biscuit Topping:
In a small bowl, melt butter. Stir in herb garlic seasoning from the biscuit mix for an aromatic brush-on glaze. In another large bowl, combine the Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix, shredded cheddar, and milk. Mix gently until just combined for the lightest biscuits—do not overmix or the dough will turn tough.
Assemble Pot Pie:
Spoon the creamy seafood mixture into ramekins or a large baking dish. Drop dollops of biscuit dough all over the surface without flattening—let the biscuits be rustic and fluffy.
Bake:
Place the filled ramekins or baking dish on a tray to catch any bubbling over. Slide into the oven and bake at 425 F for roughly 14 to 16 minutes. The biscuits should be deeply golden with crisp tops.
Finish and Serve:
Brush the piping hot biscuits with melted herb butter for that savory shine. Serve straight from the oven while bubbling.
A plate of food with shrimp and biscuits. Pin it
A plate of food with shrimp and biscuits. | cookingwithcasey.com

One of my happiest kitchen memories is making this pot pie with my son on his birthday. We both love picking out the biggest shrimp and loading them right on top.

Storage Tips

Let leftovers cool fully before covering and refrigerating. The pot pie keeps well for up to two days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm gently in a 300 F oven so the seafood stays tender and the biscuits do not dry out. If you need to freeze, only freeze the baked filling and add fresh biscuit topping when ready to eat.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap langostino for extra shrimp or even bay scallops. I have also had great luck using imitation crab to save a little money without sacrificing that decadent seafood flavor. If you have lobster, it makes the most luxurious version. For the biscuit mix, any cheddar biscuit dough or even homemade works beautifully. Fresh herbs can replace the dried—just use triple the amount to account for freshness.

Serving Suggestions

This Seafood Pot Pie is filling enough for a meal on its own but pairs so well with a simple green salad tossed in a lemony vinaigrette. If you want to stretch it for a crowd, serve smaller portions with roasted asparagus or steamed green beans on the side. Some people even like a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.

Cultural and Historical Context

Fish pies and seafood stews are classic comfort foods in many coastal communities around the world. What makes this version truly American is the biscuit topping. Inspired by southern-style biscuit pot pies and New England shellfish chowders, it brings the best of both worlds—hearty, creamy filling and a fluffy topping.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I substitute different seafood?

Yes! Swap langostino for extra shrimp or bay scallops. Imitation crab works for a budget-friendly option.

→ How do I prevent soggy biscuits?

Bake until biscuits are golden and crisp. Serve immediately for the best texture.

→ Can the filling be made ahead?

Absolutely—the seafood mixture can be prepared a day in advance and chilled until ready to bake.

→ Is it possible to freeze this dish?

Freeze just the filling before adding biscuits. Top with fresh biscuits and bake when ready to serve.

→ What side dishes pair well?

Try a crisp green salad, steamed asparagus, or roasted vegetables to complement the rich flavors.

→ How do I reheat leftovers?

Warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven to keep the seafood moist and the biscuits from drying out.

Cheddar Bay Seafood Pot Pie

Tender shrimp, crab, and langostino in rich sauce, crowned with golden Cheddar Bay biscuits for coastal comfort.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Casey

Category: Hearty Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American Coastal

Yield: 6 Servings (One large baking dish or 4-6 individual portions)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Seafood Filling

01 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 450 grams large shrimp, peeled and deveined
03 225 grams langostino tails (or lobster), frozen
04 170 grams jumbo lump crabmeat
05 120 millilitres diced onion
06 120 millilitres diced bell pepper
07 120 millilitres diced celery
08 Salt and ground black pepper to taste
09 60 grams butter, divided
10 35 grams all-purpose flour
11 710 millilitres low-sodium chicken broth
12 240 millilitres heavy cream
13 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 0.5 teaspoon dried tarragon
16 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping

17 1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix
18 120 millilitres shredded mild cheddar cheese
19 120 millilitres milk
20 Herb garlic seasoning (from biscuit mix)

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 220°C.

Step 02

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp and langostino, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook until just pink, 2-3 minutes. Transfer seafood to a plate.

Step 03

Return pan to heat and add diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook over medium until onions are translucent and vegetables softened, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 04

Reduce heat to medium-low. Add 30 grams of butter and melt completely. Sprinkle in flour, stirring constantly until a smooth paste forms.

Step 05

Gradually pour in chicken broth, whisking to prevent lumps. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 06

Add heavy cream, stirring until the sauce is smooth and thickened.

Step 07

Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, dried tarragon, smoked paprika, and a portion of herb garlic seasoning. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to infuse flavors.

Step 08

Gently fold in cooked shrimp, langostino, and lump crabmeat. Remove skillet from heat once seafood is evenly distributed.

Step 09

Melt remaining 30 grams of butter in a small bowl. Stir in herb garlic seasoning packet from the biscuit mix.

Step 10

In a large bowl, combine Cheddar Bay biscuit mix, shredded cheddar cheese, and milk. Stir until just blended; avoid overmixing to keep biscuits tender.

Step 11

Spoon seafood filling evenly into ramekins or a baking dish. Top with generous spoonfuls of biscuit dough.

Step 12

Arrange dishes on a baking tray and bake for 14-16 minutes, or until biscuits are golden and cooked through.

Step 13

Brush hot biscuits with the prepared herb butter and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

  1. Seafood filling may be made a day ahead and refrigerated until assembling.
  2. Langostino can be replaced with extra shrimp or bay scallops as needed.
  3. For economy, substitute in imitation crab with minimal impact on flavor.
  4. Use fresh herbs in place of dried, increasing quantity threefold for optimum flavor.
  5. Prepared seafood filling (without biscuits) may be frozen for later use; bake topped with fresh biscuits.
  6. Reheat any leftovers in a 150°C oven to maintain seafood moisture.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking dish or individual ramekins
  • Whisk
  • Oven
  • Pastry brush
  • Baking tray

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains shellfish (shrimp, langostino, crab)
  • Contains wheat (gluten) in biscuit mix
  • Contains milk and dairy products

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 650
  • Total Fat: 35 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 50 g
  • Protein: 40 g