Cottage Pie is a classic comfort food with savory, flavorful filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s easy to make and always a hit. Here’s a simple, straightforward recipe for a delicious English Cottage Pie!
Easy English Cottage Pie
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef (or lamb for traditional Shepherd’s Pie)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth (or vegetable broth for a lighter version)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
- 2 lbs potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet work well)
- 1/2 cup milk (or non-dairy milk)
- 4 tbsp butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Prepare the Mashed Potatoes:
- Peel and chop the potatoes into chunks. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the butter and milk (or non-dairy options) and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Set aside while you make the filling.
2. Cook the Filling:
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the diced carrots, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 2 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to caramelize slightly.
- Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Let the mixture cook for 10 minutes, until it thickens slightly. Stir in the frozen peas and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
3. Assemble the Pie:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Transfer the beef filling to a 9×13-inch baking dish or a similar-sized ovenproof dish.
- Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the meat mixture, spreading them out evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon. For a nice presentation, you can use a fork to create a criss-cross pattern on top of the potatoes.
- (Optional) For an extra crispy top, dot the mashed potatoes with a little butter before baking.
4. Bake:
- Place the pie in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- If you like an even crispier top, you can broil the pie for the last 2-3 minutes, keeping an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
5. Serve:
- Let the Cottage Pie rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the filling set.
- Serve with a side of greens or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Tips:
- Vegetarian Option: Use lentils or textured vegetable protein (TVP) instead of ground beef for a vegetarian version. You can also add extra veggies like mushrooms or zucchini.
- Cheesy Top: Stir some shredded cheese (cheddar or a dairy-free alternative) into the mashed potatoes for a cheesy topping.
- Make Ahead: This dish can be assembled the day before and stored in the fridge. Just bake it when you’re ready to eat. If it’s cold, you might need an extra 10 minutes of baking time.
Enjoy! 🍽️
Cottage Pie is all about that deliciously savory filling and comforting mashed potato topping. It’s a perfect dish for the whole family or a cozy dinner with friends. Let me know if you give it a try!