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Ultimate Easy & Traditional Cottage Pie Recipe

Close-up of a freshly baked cottage pie recipe with a thick, golden, crispy mashed potato topping over rich meat filling.
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Make this classic Cottage Pie, the definition of British comfort food! You get a hearty, savory ground beef filling simmered with vegetables, topped with creamy mashed potatoes baked until golden brown. It’s a fantastic, easy beef casserole for any weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup milk, warmed
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the mashed potatoes: Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well.
  2. Mash the potatoes with the warmed milk and butter until smooth. Season generously with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the beef filling: Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  4. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  5. Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Sprinkle the flour over the meat mixture and stir well to coat everything. Cook for 1 minute.
  7. Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring constantly until the gravy thickens. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  8. Stir in the frozen peas. Taste the filling and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  9. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  10. Top the beef filling evenly with the prepared mashed potatoes. Use a fork to create peaks on the potato surface; this helps it brown nicely. If using, sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the potatoes.
  11. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the potato topping is golden brown.
  12. Let the cottage pie rest for 10 minutes before serving. This hearty family dinner is best served hot.

Notes

  • For a make-ahead option, assemble the entire pie but do not bake. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold or frozen.
  • If you do not have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the meat filling to a 9×13 inch baking dish before adding the potato topping.
  • If you want a richer flavor, substitute 1/2 cup of the beef broth with dry red wine and let it cook down before adding the rest of the broth.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/cottage-pie-recipe-easy-traditional-beef/