Traditional Beef Cottage Pie

Name: Traditional Beef Cottage Pie
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: United Kingdom
Ingredients: 600 g of beef (ground); 2 carrots (peeled and cut into small dice); 120 g of peas (frozen or fresh); 1 yellow onion (finely sliced); 2 garlic cloves (chopped); 2 tbsp of tomato paste; 2 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce; 250 ml of beef broth (hot); 1 tbsp of olive oil; 900 g of potatoes (starchy, peeled and cut into pieces); 50 g of butter; 80 ml of milk (lukewarm); 2 tbsp of parsley (chopped); salt; black pepper (ground)

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Discover our traditional cottage pie recipe, with tender beef simmered in a flavorful sauce and topped with crispy mashed potatoes. This hearty British classic is ideal for a warm, convivial family meal, served simply with a crisp salad.

Total time: 1 h 10
Prep: 25 min
Cook: 45 min
Rest: 10 min
Difficulty: Medium
Per person: €2.25

By the CookinBreak team

Goes well with

🎅 Christmas: all recipes

As a starter

Baked Scallops au Gratin

33 minEasy

For dessert

Traditional Mince Pies

40 minEasy

To drink

Cinnamon Eggnog

25 minEasy

Nutrition facts

per serving · estimate

448kcal

Protein28 g25%
Carbs43 g39%
Fat18 g36%
Fiber5 g

Share of each nutrient in the calories of one serving.

Good to know

Chef's tip

To get the nicely browned ridges shown on the dish, work the surface of the mashed potatoes with the back of a spoon or the tines of a fork to create texture, then brush on a thin layer of melted butter just before baking.

Freezing : Can you freeze this recipe?

Yes

Very well, up to 3 months in aluminum trays or airtight containers.

Storage : How long does it keep?

Keeps 3 to 4 days max in an airtight container in the fridge.

Making ahead : Can you make it the day before?

Yes

Can be fully prepared the day before and reheated.

Reheating : How do you reheat it?

Oven: 20-25 min at 180°C (covered with foil if thawed, uncovered for the last 10 min). Microwave: 5-7 min at medium power.

Variations

Cheese version: grate a little aged cheddar over the top of the mashed potatoes right before baking for an even crispier crust.
Gluten-free version: replace the Worcestershire sauce with a guaranteed gluten-free version or a dash of tamari.
Winter vegetable version: add a handful of diced parsnip or celeriac along with the carrots to enrich the filling.

Mistakes to avoid

Using mashed potatoes that are too runny, which would sink straight into the meat filling instead of floating on top.
Not letting the meat juices reduce, which would produce a watery bake that is hard to cut when serving.
Cutting and serving the dish right out of the oven without letting it rest to set.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a shepherd's pie and a cottage pie?

Shepherd's pie is traditionally made with ground lamb, in reference to the shepherd. Cottage pie, on the other hand, is made exclusively with beef.

Which potatoes should you choose for the mash?

Go for starchy, high-starch varieties such as Bintje, Marabel or Caesar. They guarantee a light, creamy mash that browns easily in the oven at 200°C.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, fully assemble the meat and the mashed potatoes in the baking dish, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When it is time to eat, simply bake for 35 min at 200°C.

What can you use instead of Worcestershire sauce?

If you don't have any, mix one teaspoon of soy sauce with a dab of tomato paste and a few drops of apple cider vinegar to recreate that tangy umami note.