Description
Easy English Cottage Pie is a traditional comfort food made with ground beef, vegetables, and a rich gravy base, all topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden. It’s a hearty and satisfying dish, perfect for cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 pound shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned and crumbly, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add diced onion and carrots; cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in flour, Italian seasoning, cinnamon (if using), and parsley. Mix well.
- Combine beef broth and tomato paste in a jug, then pour into the skillet. Stir well and season with salt and pepper.
- Reduce heat and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Meanwhile, boil diced potatoes in water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash until smooth.
- Add milk and butter to the mashed potatoes and mix until creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top with the mashed potatoes, spreading evenly, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the pie cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the pan while browning meat to ensure proper caramelization.
- Yukon Gold potatoes work best for creamy mashed potatoes.
- For added depth of flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce.
- Peas can be added to the meat mixture for more texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Cottage Pie, English Cottage Pie, Easy Cottage Pie, Ground Beef Pie, Mashed Potato Pie, British comfort food