Cottage Pie.

Absolutely! 🥧 Cottage Pie is the ultimate comfort food — savory ground beef (or lamb) in a rich gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden and bubbling. It’s classic, hearty, and perfect for family dinners.

🥔🥩 Traditional Cottage Pie

✅ Not to be confused with Shepherd’s Pie (which uses lamb), Cottage Pie is typically made with ground beef.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Meat Filling:

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef

• 1 onion, finely diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced

• 1 celery stalk, diced (optional)

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried

• 1 cup beef broth

• ½ cup frozen peas

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 1 tbsp flour (optional, for thickening)

For the Mashed Potato Topping:

• 2 lbs (about 4–5 medium) potatoes, peeled and chopped

• 4 tbsp butter

• ½ cup milk (or cream)

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Optional: ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (for a cheesy topping)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Potato Topping

• Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (12–15 min).

• Drain and mash with butter and milk. Season with salt & pepper.

• Set aside.

2. Cook the Beef Filling

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

• Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened (5–6 minutes).

• Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

• Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.

• Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, thyme, and flour (if using).

• Add broth and simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened.

• Stir in frozen peas. Season to taste.

3. Assemble the Pie

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

• Spread meat mixture evenly into a 9×9″ or similar baking dish.

• Spoon mashed potatoes over the top and spread to the edges. Use a fork to create a textured top (helps it brown).

• Optional: Sprinkle with cheese.

4. Bake

• Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until top is golden and filling is bubbling at the edges.

• Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

🍽️ Serving Ideas:

• Side salad or green peas

• Buttered rolls or crusty bread

• Roasted green beans or steamed cabbage

🧊 Storage:

• Keeps well in the fridge for 3–4 days

• Freezes beautifully — assemble, cover tightly, and freeze unbaked for up to 2 months

• To bake from frozen: thaw overnight, then bake as usual