Classic Cottage Pie
A comforting, hearty British classic featuring savory ground beef topped with a golden, buttery layer of creamy mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
- •1.5 lbs (700g) ground beef
- •2 lbs (900g) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
- •1 large onion, finely diced
- •2 cloves garlic, minced
- •2 carrots, peeled and diced
- •1 cup (150g) frozen peas
- •2 tablespoons tomato paste
- •1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- •1 cup (240ml) beef broth
- •4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- •1/4 cup (60ml) whole milk
- •1 teaspoon dried thyme
- •2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- •Salt and black pepper to taste
- •1/2 cup (50g) grated cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes, then drain and mash with butter and milk until smooth.
- 2
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 3
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until cooked through, then drain excess fat.
- 4
Add the onion and carrots to the beef, cooking for 5-7 minutes until softened, then stir in the garlic, thyme, and tomato paste.
- 5
Sprinkle the flour over the meat mixture and stir for 1 minute, then pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, simmering until thickened.
- 6
Stir in the frozen peas and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 7
Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish and spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top, using a fork to create ridges for texture.
- 8
Sprinkle with cheddar cheese if desired and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
💡 Chef tips
- For extra depth of flavor, add a splash of red wine to the beef mixture while simmering.
- You can assemble the pie ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator; just add 10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
- Use a fork to create peaks in the mashed potato topping; these will crisp up beautifully in the oven.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished pie should have a bubbling, rich meat gravy base topped with a golden-brown, buttery potato crust that smells savory and comforting.