Ground Beef Cottage Pie
Savory ground beef, carrots and peas in a thick gravy under a ridged lid of mashed potatoes. It bakes until the top is golden and the edges bubble.
Ground Beef Cottage Pie
Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy6
servings25
minutes45
minutesSavory ground beef, carrots and peas in a thick gravy under a ridged lid of mashed potatoes. It bakes until the top is golden and the edges bubble.
Ingredients
1 1/2 lb 80/20 ground beef
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried thyme
1 cup frozen peas
2 lb Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 tbsp butter, divided
1/2 cup warm milk
1 cup shredded cheddar
1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
Directions
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes, until very tender.
- Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 7 minutes, then spoon off the extra grease.
- Add the onion and carrots and cook 6 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, thyme and flour and cook 1 minute to toast the flour.
- Pour in the broth and Worcestershire and simmer 5 to 6 minutes, until the filling is thick enough to leave a trail when you drag a spoon through it.
- Stir in the peas and spread the filling in a 9 by 13-inch baking dish.
- Drain the potatoes and mash them with 3 tablespoons of butter, the milk and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Spoon the potatoes over the filling, spread to the edges so the filling is sealed, and rake the top with a fork into ridges.
- Dot with the remaining butter and sprinkle with cheddar. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges bubble and the top is golden.
- Let the pie stand 5 minutes before cutting so it holds its shape.
Notes
- Use leftover mashed potatoes straight from the fridge; warm them first so they spread. You can assemble the pie a day ahead, cover it and add 10 minutes to the bake. A probe through the potatoes into the filling should read 165°F once it is reheated. It keeps 3 to 4 days and freezes for up to 3 months. See more in these casserole recipes for dinner.
A cottage pie that is not a shortcut
Cottage pie uses beef, not lamb, and the filling is the part to get right. Cooking the tomato paste and flour into the beef thickens the gravy so it does not soak the potatoes. A cooled-down filling also helps the topping sit on top instead of sinking.
Dragging a fork across the potatoes makes ridges that brown into crisp little peaks.
Swaps that work
Ground turkey or lamb can replace the beef. Frozen mixed vegetables work in place of the peas and carrots. Do not use instant mashed potatoes, which go gluey and will not brown.
What goes with it
A simple side of green beans or a vinegary slaw is all it needs. Warm bread and butter makes it a heartier supper.
Mistakes to avoid
Spreading cold potatoes over hot filling tears the topping. Warm the potatoes first. Also let the pie sit about 10 minutes after baking, or the filling runs onto the plate.
Make the filling the day before and it only needs the potato topping on baking day. Let the pie stand about 10 minutes before you scoop, so the gravy settles and each serving holds its shape.
Ground Beef Cottage Pie at a glance
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cooking time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6 servings
- Ingredients: 15, led by 80/20 ground beef, yellow onion, carrots, garlic cloves
Tips for Ground Beef Cottage Pie
Use leftover mashed potatoes straight from the fridge; warm them first so they spread. You can assemble the pie a day ahead, cover it and add 10 minutes to the bake. A probe through the potatoes into the filling should read 165°F once it is reheated. It keeps 3 to 4 days and freezes for up to 3 months. See more in these casserole recipes for dinner.
Ground Beef Cottage Pie FAQ
How long does Ground Beef Cottage Pie take?
Ground Beef Cottage Pie takes 45 minutes of cooking after 25 minutes of prep.
How many people does Ground Beef Cottage Pie serve?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What do I need to make Ground Beef Cottage Pie?
15 ingredients, led by 80/20 ground beef, yellow onion, carrots, garlic cloves. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
Part of: 6 Ground Beef Comfort Food Recipes That Don’t All Taste the Same
