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Description
A classic and comforting ground beef cottage pie with a rich savory filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. This easy recipe is perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually stir in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- While the meat mixture simmers, boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
- Mash the potatoes with milk and butter until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat mixture in the skillet. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, if using.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and ground lamb.
- Add frozen peas or corn to the meat filling for extra vegetables.
- Ensure the meat filling is not too liquidy before topping with potatoes.
- For a crispier potato topping, broil for the last 1-2 minutes of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: ground beef cottage pie, easy cottage pie recipe, shepherd's pie vs cottage pie, comforting ground beef bake, mashed potato topping secrets