A can of cream of mushroom soup can be a real dinner saver. It works great in casseroles and can turn into a sauce or gravy in a pinch.
Slow Cooker Fish Au Gratin
- add review
- #22065
You can use any white fish in this recipe such as cod, flounder, or tilapia. Serve the fish and cheese sauce over rice for an easy crock pot meal.
serves/makes:
ready in:
1-2 hrs
1-2 hrs
7 reviews
1 comment
ingredients
6 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 tablespoon dry mustard
1/4 tablespoon ground nutmeg
1 1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
3 pounds frozen white fish fillets, thawed
directions
Place the butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat and stir until melted. Add in the flour, salt, dry mustard, and nutmeg and stir until smooth. Let cook for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally.
Slowly stir in the milk and stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Add the lemon juice and cheese. Stir over medium heat until the cheese has melted.
Place the fish in the bottom of the crock pot. Spoon the cheese sauce evenly over the top of the fish to completely cover it.
Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 1 1/2 hours or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve hot.
crock pot notes
Crock pots/slow cookers all heat differently. There is no standard among manufacturers. Cooking times are suggested guidelines based on our testing. Please adjust cooking times and temps to work with your brand and model of slow cooker.recipe tips
To prevent the fish from becoming mushy, do not overcook it in the crock pot.
Add a teaspoon of garlic powder or onion powder in the cheese sauce for extra flavor.
Garnish with fresh parsley or dill before serving for added color as the dish can look a little pale otherwise.
Try adding a splash of beer to the cheese sauce for a different flavor.
To make sure the sauce is smooth, whisk continuously while adding the milk.
Serve the fish over a bed of rice or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Always taste and adjust the seasoning of the sauce before adding it to the fish.
If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a little more milk or fish stock.
common recipe questions
Can I use fresh fish instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh fish can definitely be used. Frozen fish is just used for convenience in this recipe.
What can I use instead of Cheddar cheese?
Gruyere, Swiss, or Monterey Jack cheese can be used as substitutes.
Is there a substitute for dry mustard?
A small amount of prepared mustard can be used, but it may change the sauce's texture.
Can I make this dish without nutmeg?
Yes, nutmeg can be omitted or replaced with a pinch of paprika for color.
What can I use instead of lemon juice?
White wine vinegar or a small amount of white wine can be used as substitutes.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or microwave. Be careful not to overcook the fish when reheating.
Can this dish be frozen?
It's best enjoyed fresh, as freezing and thawing can cause the sauce to separate and become grainy.
tools needed
Medium Sauce Pan: needed to melt butter and create the cheese sauce for the fish au gratin. Make sure to stir constantly to prevent burning.
Spatula: important for stirring the cheese sauce and making sure all ingredients are fully combined.
Crock Pot: essential for cooking the fish au gratin dish. Make sure to cover the crock pot snugly during cooking to trap the heat and moisture.
what goes with it?
Buttered Green Beans: the crispness of the green beans will provide a nice contrast to the creamy cheese sauce, adding a pop of color and texture to the dish.
Lemon Herb Quinoa: the bright, citrusy flavors of the lemon will cut through the richness of the cheese sauce, while the herbs will add a fresh element to the meal.
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus: the savory garlic and Parmesan will complement the cheesy sauce.
beverage pairings
Wine Pairings
Chardonnay: The buttery notes in a Chardonnay will enhance the richness of the cheese sauce, while the fruity undertones will complement the delicate flavor of the white fish. Look for a lightly oaked Chardonnay for a perfect match.
Sauvignon Blanc: If you prefer a crisper white wine, a Sauvignon Blanc with its zesty acidity can cut through the creamy cheese sauce. Look for one with citrus and herbaceous notes for an added layer of flavor.
Pinot Grigio: For a light and easy-drinking option, a Pinot Grigio can provide a clean and crisp pairing with the fish and cheese sauce. Its subtle notes of apple and pear will match the dish without overpowering it.
Other Alcohol Pairings
IPA: The hoppy bitterness of an IPA can contrast nicely with the richness of the cheese sauce while the floral and citrus notes can add a refreshing element to each bite of the fish. Look for a balanced IPA to avoid overpowering the dish.
Rye Whiskey: The spicy and slightly sweet notes of rye whiskey can provide a warming and robust pairing with the fish and cheese sauce. Look for a rye with hints of vanilla and oak to enhance the flavors of the dish.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
Coconut Water: The natural sweetness and subtle tropical notes in coconut water can add a refreshing contrast to the creamy cheese sauce and white fish. It's a light and hydrating option that pairs well with the flavors of the dish.
Ginger Beer: The spicy kick of ginger beer can cut through the richness of the cheese sauce and add a zesty element to each bite of the fish. Look for a ginger beer with a good balance of sweetness and spice.
Apple Juice: A simple glass of apple juice can provide a sweet and fruity accompaniment to the fish and cheese sauce. The natural tartness of the apple juice can balance the creamy flavors of the dish for a pleasant pairing.
nutrition data
413 calories, 21 grams fat, 6 grams carbohydrates, 47 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in carbs.
Got leftovers? We've got recipes. 18 delicious recipes using cooked chicken (plus 9 bonus recipes!)
The name, vodka, comes from the Russian phrase zhiznennaia voda, or "water of life". It can be made from everything from potatoes to beets. It's considered to be fairly flavorless which makes it a great liquor for mixed drinks.
see more crock pot dinner recipes
reviews & comments
I am trying to keep my carbs and proteins separate. Is there anything than can replace the flour? I'm really anxious to try this, it looks delicious!!!
You could maybe modify the recipe to use heavy cream and cream cheese? Or look online for a commercial low carb thickener to replace the flour.
May 23, 2020
Really tasty
February 9, 2018
This is the most easy way to make this fish.The fish keeps in one piece and the taste is great. Today I make it for the second time.
August 15, 2016
Delish! Added lemon pepper and cooked on stove top. Will definitely cook again and soon.
August 15, 2016
Made this for dinner last night and wish II had made more. I only added lemon pepper and a bit more salt and did mine on the stove top for 30 minutes. Delish!.
October 28, 2013
Just tried this at a crock-pot potluck. Liked it so much I asked for the recipe. It ended up being more like a seafood/fish chowder of sorts, which made it quite cheesy yummy - will use this with the not-so-fond-of-fish kids during Fridays in Lent.
July 23, 2013
This was good. I stirred some cooked elbow macaroni into the cooked mix so it was sort of like a fishy mac n cheese because I didn't have three pounds of fish so I had more sauce in the crock pot.
June 21, 2008
I'd never heard anything good about fish or seafood in the crock pot but tried this anyway because I had some fish to cook. I think being in a rich cheesy sauce helped. We all liked it, even my picky 5 year old who only typically likes frozen fish sticks.