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The Best Cottage Pie {Easy Recipe} Recipe

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4.2 from 12 reviews

A classic and comforting Cottage Pie recipe featuring a savory beef mince filling simmered with vegetables and herbs, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-follow recipe delivers a warm, hearty dish perfect for family meals.

Ingredients

For the filling:

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 500 g (1.1 lb) Beef mince (ground beef), 5% fat
  • 1 Onion, chopped
  • 2 Carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 Celery sticks, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp Plain flour (all-purpose flour)
  • 1 tsp Dried thyme (or fresh)
  • 1 tsp Dried sage (or fresh)
  • 500 ml (2 cups) Hot beef stock, made from a cube is fine
  • 2 tbsp Tomato purée (tomato paste in USA/CAN)
  • 2 tbsp Worcester sauce (or Henderson's Relish)
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the topping:

  • 1 kg (2.2 lb) White potatoes
  • 2 tbsp Salted butter
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C fan/200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6 to prepare for baking the pie later.
  2. Brown the mince: Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan. Add the beef mince and fry on high heat for 5 minutes, stirring until browned all over for a rich flavor base.
  3. Cook vegetables: Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pan. Fry together for another 10 minutes until the vegetables are softened, releasing their natural sweetness.
  4. Add flour and herbs: Sprinkle in the plain flour and dried thyme and sage. Stir well to coat the mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and develop aroma.
  5. Add liquids and seasoning: Pour in the hot beef stock, tomato purée, and Worcester sauce. Season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile. Stir to combine.
  6. Simmer filling: Cover the pan and let the filling simmer gently for 30 minutes until the mixture thickens and flavors meld beautifully.
  7. Prepare mashed potato topping: Meanwhile, peel and chop the white potatoes. Place them in cold water, bring to a boil, and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain well.
  8. Mash potatoes: Mash the cooked potatoes with salted butter, seasoning with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste for a creamy, flavorful topping.
  9. Assemble pie: Transfer the meat filling into a large ovenproof dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top, creating textured ruffles with a fork to form crispy edges when baked.
  10. Optional freezing: At this point, you may allow the pie to cool and freeze it for up to one month to prepare meals ahead of time.
  11. Bake the pie: Place the assembled cottage pie into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the mashed potato is golden brown and the filling is bubbling at the edges.
  12. Ensure serving temperature: Check that the pie is steaming hot inside before serving. If baked from chilled or frozen, it may require a few extra minutes in the oven.

Notes

  • Using lean beef mince (5%) keeps the dish flavorful but not overly greasy.
  • The dried herbs can be substituted with fresh thyme and sage if available for a brighter flavor.
  • Feel free to add grated cheese on top of the mashed potatoes before baking for an extra cheesy crust.
  • The filling can be made ahead and frozen to save time on busy days.
  • Simmering the filling allows the sauce to thicken and flavors to deepen for an authentic taste.

Find it online: https://glowcooks.com/the-best-cottage-pie-easy-recipe-recipe/