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Cottage Pie Recipe

Cottage Pie Recipe

5 from 6 votes
Cottage Pie is a comforting British dish made from ground beef, vegetables, and a fluffy mashed potato topping. It’s a perfect hearty meal, easy to prepare, and ideal for family dinners or meal prep. The combination of savory meat filling and creamy potatoes makes it a true comfort food.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Classic British cuisine
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the filling:
  • 1 lb ground beef or lamb for a traditional Shepherd’s Pie
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 medium carrots diced
  • 1 cup peas frozen or fresh
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • For the mashed potatoes:
  • 2 lbs potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • ½ cup milk or cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Pot for boiling potatoes
  • Baking dish
  • Masher or hand mixer for potatoes

Method
 

Prepare the filling:
  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add diced onion and carrots, and cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes.
  5. Add tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Pour in beef broth, season to taste with salt and pepper, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until mixture thickens.
  6. Stir in peas and cook for 2-3 more minutes. Remove from heat.
Prepare the mashed potatoes:
  1. Put the peeled potatoes in a pot and add water. Add a pinch of salt.
  2. Add in and bring to a boil; simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 min.
  3. Drain, then mix the potatoes with butter and milk. Season with salt and pepper.
Assemble the Cottage Pie:
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Spread the meat mixture over the noodles in a baking dish.
  3. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top and spread evenly. Use a fork to create a textured pattern.
Bake:
  1. Bake the Cottage Pie in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
  2. For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.
Serve:
  1. Let the pie rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Variations: You can add other vegetables like corn, mushrooms, or parsnips to the filling.
Cottage Pie recipe
Freezing: Cottage Pie can be frozen. Assemble the pie, then cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
Storage: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Cottage Pie recipe