There’s something magical about a warm and hearty Cottage Pie on a chilly evening. This classic dish, with its savory beef filling and creamy mashed potato topping, is the epitome of comfort food. Whether you’re feeding a family or hosting a gathering, this recipe is sure to bring joy and satisfaction to your table.
What is Cottage Pie?
Cottage Pie is a traditional British dish made with minced beef, vegetables, and a mashed potato topping. Often confused with Shepherd’s Pie, which uses lamb, Cottage Pie exclusively features beef as its star ingredient. This versatile dish is perfect for meal prep, freezes well, and tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients for Cottage Pie
For the Beef Filling:
- 1 kg minced beef
- 1 brown onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 2 bay leaves
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
- 1 kg potatoes
- 125 ml milk
- 25 g butter
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt to taste
How to Make Cottage Pie
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Before you start cooking, gather and prep all the ingredients. Dice the onion, chop the garlic, and prepare the vegetables. This ensures a smooth cooking process.
Step 2: Cook the Beef Filling
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan).
- Heat a frying pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Brown the minced beef in batches to prevent overcrowding. Transfer the browned beef to another container.
- In the same pan, add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the onion until translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add the chopped garlic and stir until fragrant.
- Sprinkle in the flour and cook it thoroughly, ensuring no raw taste remains.
- Gradually add water to the pan, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
- Mix in the tomato paste and bay leaves, cooking for another 2 minutes.
- Add the frozen peas and diced carrots, stirring to combine.
- Return the browned beef to the pan and season with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat.
Step 3: Make the Mashed Potato Topping
- Wash, peel, and cut the potatoes into chunks.
- Place the potatoes in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook for about 7 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it sit for at least 10 minutes to soften the potatoes further.
- Drain the water and mash the potatoes using a masher.
- Add butter, nutmeg, and milk, mashing until smooth. Adjust salt to taste.
Step 4: Assemble the Cottage Pie
- Transfer the cooked beef filling to an ovenproof dish, spreading it evenly.
- Spoon the mashed potatoes over the beef, smoothing it into an even layer. You can use a fork to create decorative ridges if desired.
Step 5: Bake the Cottage Pie
- Place the assembled pie in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the mashed potatoes are golden and slightly crispy on top.
Serving Suggestions
Cottage Pie is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad, crusty bread, or roasted vegetables. For a touch of indulgence, sprinkle grated cheese over the mashed potatoes before baking.
Tips for the Perfect Cottage Pie
- Choose the Right Beef: Opt for minced beef with a bit of fat for extra flavor.
- Fresh vs. Frozen Vegetables: Both work well, but fresh carrots and peas add a nice crunch.
- Thickening the Sauce: The flour helps create a rich, thick filling. If it’s too runny, let it simmer a bit longer.
- Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the pie ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Bake just before serving.
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 35 g |
| Fats | 20 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
FAQs About Cottage Pie
1. Can I freeze Cottage Pie?
Yes, you can! Allow the pie to cool completely before covering it tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months.
2. What’s the difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd’s Pie?
The main difference lies in the meat: Cottage Pie uses beef, while Shepherd’s Pie is made with lamb.
3. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use plant-based milk and butter substitutes for the mashed potato topping.
4. Can I add other vegetables?
Of course! Mushrooms, zucchini, or green beans make great additions to the filling.
5. How do I reheat Cottage Pie?
Cover the pie with foil and reheat in the oven at 180°C for about 20 minutes.
6. Is there a vegetarian version of Cottage Pie?
Yes, swap the beef for lentils or plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetable stock.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
Cottage Pie is more than just a dish—it’s a warm hug on a plate. It’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and perfect for any occasion. From its rich, savory filling to its creamy mashed potato topping, this recipe will become a family favorite in no time.
So why wait? Gather your ingredients and experience the magic of homemade Cottage Pie today!
Classic Cottage Pie with Beef
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
const share_pin_buttons = document.getElementsByClassName( ‘share-pin button’ );
if ( share_pin_buttons ) {
for ( let share_key = 0; share_key {
e.stopPropagation();
window.open(e.target.dataset.href,’targetWindow’,’toolbar=no,location=no,status=no,menubar=no,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=500,height=500′);
return false;
} );
}
}
Description
Dive into the comforting goodness of a classic Cottage Pie! This dish features a savory beef filling loaded with vegetables and topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s the ultimate comfort food perfect for family dinners or cozy evenings at home.
Ingredients
For the Beef Filling:
- 1 kg minced beef
- 1 brown onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 2 bay leaves
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
- 1 kg potatoes
- 125 ml milk
- 25 g butter
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan). Gather and prep all ingredients. - Cook the Beef Filling:
- Heat a frying pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Brown the minced beef in batches, then transfer to another container.
- In the same pan, add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the flour and cook thoroughly to remove any raw taste.
- Gradually add water, stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce.
- Mix in the tomato paste and bay leaves, then cook for 2 more minutes.
- Add the frozen peas, diced carrots, and Worcestershire sauce. Return the browned beef to the pan and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
- Make the Mashed Potatoes:
- Wash, peel, and cut the potatoes into chunks. Boil in a pot of salted water for 7 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes to soften.
- Drain the water and mash the potatoes. Stir in butter, milk, nutmeg, and salt until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Pie:
- Transfer the cooked beef filling to an ovenproof dish, spreading it evenly.
- Spoon the mashed potatoes over the beef and spread it smoothly. Use a fork to create decorative ridges if desired.
- Bake:
- Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the mashed potato topping is golden and slightly crispy.
- Serve:
- Allow the pie to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Pair with a green salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- For added flavor, sprinkle grated cheese over the mashed potato topping before baking.
- Cottage Pie tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 180°C until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: British
window.trCommon={“minRating”:6,”ajaxurl”:”https:\/\/forurenergy.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php”,”ratingNonce”:””,”postId”:1037};
window.TastyRecipes = window.TastyRecipes || {};
window.TastyRecipes.smoothScroll = {
init() {
document.addEventListener( ‘click’, ( e ) => {
let anchor = e.target;
if ( anchor.tagName !== ‘A’ ) {
anchor = anchor.closest( ‘a.tasty-recipes-scrollto’ );
}
if ( ! anchor || ! anchor.classList.contains( ‘tasty-recipes-scrollto’ ) ) {
return;
}
const elementHref = anchor.getAttribute( ‘href’ );
if ( ! elementHref ) {
return;
}
e.preventDefault();
this.goToSelector( elementHref );
});
},
goToSelector( selector ) {
const element = document.querySelector( selector );
if ( ! element ) {
return;
}
element.scrollIntoView( { behavior: ‘smooth’ } );
}
};
document.addEventListener(
‘DOMContentLoaded’,
() => window.TastyRecipes.smoothScroll.init()
);
(function(){
document.querySelectorAll(‘[data-tr-ingredient-checkbox]’).forEach(function(el) {
var input = el.querySelector(‘.tr-ingredient-checkbox-container input[type=”checkbox”]’);
if ( ! input ) {
return;
}
if (input.checked) {
el.dataset.trIngredientCheckbox = ‘checked’;
}
el.addEventListener(‘click’, function(event) {
if ( ‘A’ === event.target.nodeName
|| ‘INPUT’ === event.target.nodeName
|| ‘LABEL’ === event.target.nodeName ) {
return;
}
input.click();
});
input.addEventListener(‘change’, function() {
el.dataset.trIngredientCheckbox = input.checked ? ‘checked’ : ”;
});
});
}());
window.TastyRecipes = window.TastyRecipes || {};
window.TastyRecipes.cookMode = {
wakeLockApi: false,
wakeLock: false,
cookModeSelector: ‘.tasty-recipes-cook-mode’,
init() {
if (“wakeLock” in navigator && “request” in navigator.wakeLock) {
this.wakeLockApi = navigator.wakeLock;
}
const cookModes = document.querySelectorAll(this.cookModeSelector);
if (cookModes.length > 0) {
for (const cookMode of cookModes) {
if (this.wakeLockApi) {
cookMode.querySelector(‘input[type=”checkbox”]’).addEventListener(“change”, event => {
this.checkboxChange(event.target);
}, false);
} else {
cookMode.style.display = “none”;
}
}
}
},
checkboxChange(checkbox) {
if (checkbox.checked) {
this.lock();
} else {
this.unlock();
}
},
setCheckboxesState(state) {
const checkboxes = document.querySelectorAll(this.cookModeSelector + ‘ input[type=”checkbox”]’);
for (const checkbox of checkboxes) {
checkbox.checked = state;
}
},
async lock() {
try {
this.wakeLock = await this.wakeLockApi.request(“screen”);
this.wakeLock.addEventListener(“release”, () => {
this.wakeLock = false;
this.setCheckboxesState(false);
});
this.setCheckboxesState(true);
} catch (error) {
this.setCheckboxesState(false);
}
},
unlock() {
if (this.wakeLock) {
this.wakeLock.release();
this.wakeLock = false;
}
this.setCheckboxesState(false);
}
};
(function(callback) {
if (document.readyState !== “loading”) {
callback();
} else {
document.addEventListener(“DOMContentLoaded”, callback);
}
})(() => {
window.TastyRecipes.cookMode.init();
});
window.TastyRecipes = window.TastyRecipes || {};
window.TastyRecipes.staticTooltip = {
element: null,
tooltipElement: null,
deleting: false,
init( element ) {
if ( this.deleting ) {
return;
}
this.element = element;
this.buildElements();
},
destroy() {
if ( ! this.tooltipElement || this.deleting ) {
return;
}
this.deleting = true;
this.tooltipElement.classList.remove( ‘opened’ );
setTimeout( () => {
this.tooltipElement.remove();
this.deleting = false;
}, 500 );
},
buildElements() {
const tooltipElement = document.createElement( ‘div’ );
tooltipElement.classList.add( ‘tasty-recipes-static-tooltip’);
tooltipElement.setAttribute( ‘id’, ‘tasty-recipes-tooltip’ );
const currentTooltipElement = document.getElementById( ‘tasty-recipes-tooltip’ );
if ( currentTooltipElement ) {
document.body.replaceChild( tooltipElement, currentTooltipElement );
} else {
document.body.appendChild( tooltipElement );
}
this.tooltipElement = document.getElementById( ‘tasty-recipes-tooltip’ );
},
show() {
if ( ! this.tooltipElement ) {
return;
}
const tooltipTop = this.element.getBoundingClientRect().top
+ window.scrollY
– 10 // 10px offset.
– this.tooltipElement.getBoundingClientRect().height;
const tooltipLeft = this.element.getBoundingClientRect().left
– ( this.tooltipElement.getBoundingClientRect().width / 2 )
+ ( this.element.getBoundingClientRect().width / 2 ) – 1;
const posLeft = Math.max( 10, tooltipLeft );
this.maybeRemoveTail( posLeft !== tooltipLeft );
this.tooltipElement.setAttribute( ‘style’, ‘top:’ + tooltipTop + ‘px;left:’ + posLeft + ‘px;’ );
this.tooltipElement.classList.add( ‘opened’ );
},
maybeRemoveTail( removeTail ) {
if ( removeTail ) {
this.tooltipElement.classList.add( ‘tr-hide-tail’ );
} else {
this.tooltipElement.classList.remove( ‘tr-hide-tail’ );
}
},
changeMessage( message ) {
if ( ! this.tooltipElement ) {
return;
}
this.tooltipElement.innerHTML = message;
}
};
window.TastyRecipes.ajax = {
sendPostRequest( url, data, success, failure ) {
const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();
xhr.open( ‘POST’, url, true );
xhr.send( this.preparePostData( data ) );
xhr.onreadystatechange = () => {
if ( 4 !== xhr.readyState ) {
return;
}
if ( xhr.status === 200 ) {
success( JSON.parse( xhr.responseText ) );
return;
}
failure( xhr );
};
xhr.onerror = () => {
failure( xhr );
};
},
preparePostData( data ) {
const formData = new FormData();
for ( const key in data ) {
formData.append( key, data[key] );
}
return formData;
},
};
window.TastyRecipes.ratings = {
defaultRating: 0,
currentRatingPercentage: 100,
savingRating: false,
init( minRating ) {
this.minRating = minRating;
this.formWatchRating();
this.closeTooltipWhenClickOutside();
this.addBodyClassBasedOnSelectedRating();
this.backwardCompFormRatingPosition();
},
formWatchRating() {
const ratings = document.querySelectorAll(‘.tasty-recipes-no-ratings-buttons [data-rating]’);
if ( ratings.length {
event.preventDefault();
this.defaultRating = event.target.closest( ‘.checked’ ).dataset.rating;
this.setCheckedStar( event.target );
this.maybeSendRating( this.defaultRating, event.target );
this.setRatingInForm( this.defaultRating );
} );
}
},
closeTooltipWhenClickOutside() {
window.addEventListener( ‘click’, e => {
// Bailout (don’t remove the tooltip) when the clicked element is a rating star, or it’s the tooltip itself.
if ( e.target.closest( ‘.tasty-recipes-rating’ ) || e.target.classList.contains( ‘tasty-recipes-static-tooltip’ ) ) {
return;
}
window.TastyRecipes.staticTooltip.destroy();
} );
},
setRatingInForm( rating ) {
const ratingInput = document.querySelector( ‘#respond .tasty-recipes-rating[value=”‘ + rating + ‘”]’ );
if ( ! ratingInput ) {
return;
}
ratingInput.click();
},
addBodyClassBasedOnSelectedRating() {
const ratingInputs = document.querySelectorAll( ‘input.tasty-recipes-rating’ );
if ( ! ratingInputs ) {
return;
}
for ( const ratingInput of ratingInputs ) {
ratingInput.addEventListener( ‘click’, currentEvent => {
const selectedRating = currentEvent.target.getAttribute( ‘value’ );
this.handleBodyClassByRating( selectedRating );
this.toggleCommentTextareaRequired( selectedRating );
} );
}
},
handleBodyClassByRating( rating ) {
if ( rating < this.minRating ) {
document.body.classList.remove( 'tasty-recipes-selected-minimum-rating' );
return;
}
document.body.classList.add( 'tasty-recipes-selected-minimum-rating' );
},
toggleCommentTextareaRequired( rating ) {
const commentTextarea = document.getElementById( 'comment' );
if ( ! commentTextarea ) {
return;
}
if ( rating {
window.TastyRecipes.staticTooltip.changeMessage( response.data.message );
window.TastyRecipes.staticTooltip.show();
this.updateAverageText( response.data, recipeCardElement );
this.maybeFillCommentForm( response.data );
// Hide the tooltip after 5 seconds.
setTimeout( () => {
this.maybeResetTooltip( recipeCardElement, response.data, rating );
}, 5000 );
},
() => {
this.resetTooltip( recipeCardElement );
}
);
},
updateAverageText( data, recipeCardElement ) {
if ( ! data.average ) {
return;
}
this.setRatingPercent( data );
if ( ! data.count ) {
return;
}
const quickLink = document.querySelector( ‘.tasty-recipes-rating-link’ );
if ( quickLink ) {
this.setTextInContainer( quickLink, data );
this.setPartialStar( quickLink );
}
const cardStars = recipeCardElement.querySelector( ‘.tasty-recipes-ratings-buttons’ );
cardStars.dataset.trDefaultRating = data.average;
this.setTextInContainer( recipeCardElement.querySelector( ‘.tasty-recipes-rating’ ), data );
},
setTextInContainer( container, data ) {
if ( ! container ) {
return;
}
if ( data.label ) {
const ratingLabelElement = container.querySelector( ‘.rating-label’ );
if ( ratingLabelElement ) {
ratingLabelElement.innerHTML = data.label;
}
return;
}
const averageElement = container.querySelector( ‘.average’ );
if ( averageElement ) {
averageElement.textContent = data.average;
}
const countElement = container.querySelector( ‘.count’ );
if ( countElement ) {
countElement.textContent = data.count;
}
},
setPartialStar( container ) {
const highestStar = container.querySelector( ‘[data-rating=”‘ + Math.ceil( this.defaultRating ) + ‘”]’ );
if ( highestStar ) {
highestStar.dataset.trClip = this.currentRatingPercentage;
}
},
setRatingPercent( data ) {
this.defaultRating = data.average.toFixed( 1 );
const parts = data.average.toFixed( 2 ).toString().split( ‘.’ );
this.currentRatingPercentage = parts[1] ? parts[1] : 100;
if ( this.currentRatingPercentage === ’00’ ) {
this.currentRatingPercentage = 100;
}
},
setCheckedStar( target ) {
const cardRatingContainer = target.closest( ‘.tasty-recipes-ratings-buttons’ );
const selectedRatingElement = cardRatingContainer.querySelector( ‘[data-tr-checked]’ );
if ( selectedRatingElement ) {
delete selectedRatingElement.dataset.trChecked;
}
const thisStar = target.closest( ‘.tasty-recipes-rating’ );
thisStar.dataset.trChecked = 1;
thisStar.querySelector( ‘[data-tr-clip]’ ).dataset.trClip = 100;
},
maybeFillCommentForm( data ) {
if ( ! data.comment || ! data.comment.content ) {
return;
}
const commentForm = document.querySelector( ‘#commentform’ );
if ( ! commentForm ) {
return;
}
const commentBox = commentForm.querySelector( ‘[name=comment]’ );
if ( ! commentBox || commentBox.value ) {
return;
}
// Add comment details for editing.
commentBox.innerHTML = data.comment.content;
if ( data.comment.name ) {
commentForm.querySelector( ‘[name=author]’ ).value = data.comment.name;
commentForm.querySelector( ‘[name=email]’ ).value = data.comment.email;
}
},
maybeResetTooltip( recipeCardElement, data, rating ) {
if ( this.savingRating === rating ) {
this.resetTooltip( recipeCardElement, data );
}
},
resetTooltip( recipeCardElement, data ) {
window.TastyRecipes.staticTooltip.destroy();
this.savingRating = false;
// Reset the default rating.
const cardRatingContainer = recipeCardElement.querySelector( ‘.tasty-recipes-ratings-buttons’ );
if ( cardRatingContainer ) {
this.defaultRating = ( data && data.average ) ? data.average.toFixed(1) : cardRatingContainer.dataset.trDefaultRating;
cardRatingContainer.dataset.trDefaultRating = this.defaultRating;
this.resetSelectedStar( cardRatingContainer, data );
}
},
resetSelectedStar( cardRatingContainer ) {
const selectedRatingElement = cardRatingContainer.querySelector( ‘[data-rating=”‘ + Math.ceil( this.defaultRating ) + ‘”]’ );
if ( selectedRatingElement ) {
selectedRatingElement.querySelector( ‘[data-tr-clip]’ ).dataset.trClip = this.currentRatingPercentage;
selectedRatingElement.parentNode.dataset.trChecked = 1;
}
const previousSelectedElement= cardRatingContainer.querySelector( ‘[data-tr-checked]’ );
if ( previousSelectedElement ) {
const currentSelectedRating = previousSelectedElement.querySelector(‘[data-rating]’);
if ( currentSelectedRating !== selectedRatingElement ) {
delete previousSelectedElement.dataset.trChecked;
}
}
},
backwardCompFormRatingPosition() {
const ratingsButtons = document.querySelector( ‘#respond .tasty-recipes-ratings-buttons, #tasty-recipes-comment-rating .tasty-recipes-ratings-buttons’ );
if ( ! ratingsButtons ) {
return;
}
const ratingsButtonsStyles = window.getComputedStyle(ratingsButtons);
if ( ! ratingsButtonsStyles.display.includes( ‘flex’ ) ) {
ratingsButtons.style.direction = ‘rtl’;
}
if ( typeof tastyRecipesRating !== ‘undefined’ ) {
// Select the rating that was previously selected in admin.
ratingsButtons.querySelector( ‘.tasty-recipes-rating[value=”‘ + tastyRecipesRating + ‘”]’ ).checked = true;
}
const ratingSpans = ratingsButtons.querySelectorAll( ‘.tasty-recipes-rating’ );
for (const ratingSpan of ratingSpans) {
ratingSpan.addEventListener( ‘click’, event => {
if ( ratingSpan === event.target ) {
return;
}
ratingSpan.previousElementSibling.click();
} );
}
}
};
(function(callback) {
if (document.readyState !== “loading”) {
callback();
} else {
window.addEventListener( ‘load’, callback );
}
})(() => {
window.TastyRecipes.ratings.init( window.trCommon ? window.trCommon.minRating : 4 );
});
The post Classic Cottage Pie with Beef appeared first on FOR UR ENERGY RECIPES.
