Cottage Pie
On June 12, 2024
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My Cottage Pie recipe is cozy and comforting, with savory braised beef, tender vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, and melted cheddar cheese.
Homemade Cottage Pie
When you’re craving a hearty and satisfying meal that will warm you from the inside out, my Cottage Pie recipe is the perfect choice. With a savory braised beef filling, loaded with tender vegetables and topped with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese, this classic dish is sure to become a family favorite. Let’s dive in and create this ultimate comfort food together.
What is Cottage Pie?
Cottage Pie is a traditional British dish that features a flavorful ground beef filling topped with a layer of mashed potatoes. It’s often confused with Shepherd’s Pie, which is made with ground lamb instead of beef. Despite the difference in meat, both dishes are deliciously comforting and perfect for cozy meals at home.
The Secret to a Flavorful Beef Filling
To create a truly mouth-watering Cottage Pie, you need to start with a rich and tender beef filling. The key is to brown the ground beef and then slow-cook it with aromatic vegetables and a flavorful braising liquid. In this recipe, we use a combination of beef stock, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce to infuse the beef with incredible depth of flavor.
Ingredients for the Perfect Cottage Pie
Creating the ultimate Cottage Pie is easier than you might think. Once you’ve got your savory braised beef ready, you just need a handful of simple ingredients to bring this dish together:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub (or equal parts salt and pepper)
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1/2 cup peas
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 4 Tablespoons flour
- 3 cups beef stock
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
One of the best things about this Cottage Pie recipe is how easily you can customize the filling to your liking. Feel free to add or substitute vegetables based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Some delicious additions include mushrooms, corn, or even sweet potatoes for a unique twist. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices to create your perfect flavor profile. Don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own and create a Cottage Pie that’s perfect for you.
How to Make Cottage Pie
Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to create this comforting Cottage Pie. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a delicious meal ready in no time:
- Prepare the potatoes. Begin by cubing your Yukon Gold potatoes, leaving the skin on for added texture if desired. Boil the potatoes in salted water for 10-12 minutes until they’re tender and easily mashed.
- Mash the potatoes. Drain the water from the pot and add the remaining ingredients for your mashed potatoes. Use a hand mixer to gently mix everything together until smooth and creamy. Set aside while you prepare the filling.
- Create the beef filling. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet on your grill or oven over medium heat and brown your ground beef, seasoning it with Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub. Once browned, add the flour and vegetables, cooking for 4-5 minutes while stirring occasionally. Mix in the butter until melted and there are no flour clumps. Stir in the beef stock, tomato paste, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring vigorously until the filling thickens.
- Assemble and bake. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the beef filling, smoothing them out with a spatula. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, then bake or grill at 400°F for 6-7 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Serve warm and enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience.
Storing and Reheating Cottage Pie
Whether you have leftovers or want to make this dish ahead of time, storing and reheating Cottage Pie is a breeze.
- Refrigerator: Place leftover Cottage Pie in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place it in the oven on low heat until the cheese is melted and bubbly once again.
- Freezer: To freeze Cottage Pie, prepare the dish up to the point of adding the cheese. Allow it to cool, then transfer it to a freezer-safe dish, cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the pie, add the cheese, and bake as directed.
More Comfort Food Recipes
If you love the cozy, satisfying feeling of comfort food as much as I do, you’ll want to try some of my other favorite recipes that are sure to warm your soul:
Homemade Cottage Pie Recipe
Now that you know how simple it is to create a delicious Cottage Pie, it’s time to give this recipe a try. Follow the simple steps in the recipe card, and you’ll have a comforting, hearty meal that your whole family will love. If you enjoyed making this recipe, be sure to give it a 5-star rating and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Don’t forget to check out the Hey Grill Hey app, where you’ll find over 600 more incredible recipes, along with one-tap shopping lists and meal plans. And be sure to follow Hey Grill Hey on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for more cooking inspiration and tips.
Cottage Pie
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or ground lamb for shepherd's pie
- 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub or equal parts salt and pepper
- 1 medium carrot diced
- ½ cup peas
- 2 ribs celery diced
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 4 Tablespoons flour
- 3 cups beef stock
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves only
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Mashed Potatoes
- 8 Yukon Gold potatoes
- 8 Tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup milk
- 4 Tablespoons cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt start here and add to taste
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Boil potatoes. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil, Cube potatoes, leaving the skin of if desired, and then add to water to boil for 10-12 minutes.8 Yukon Gold potatoes
- Finish potatoes. Strain water from pot and then add in the remaining ingredients for your mashed potatoes. Mix gently with hand mixer, and salt to taste. Set aside until filling is ready.8 Tablespoons butter, ¼ cup milk, 4 Tablespoons cream cheese, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- Make filling. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat and then add in your beef and season with my Beef Rub, cooking for 4-6 minutes until browned. Next, add in your flour and vegetables and cook 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, mix in your butter thoroughly until it’s melted and there are no flour clumps. Stir in beef stock, and stir vigorously until filling thickens. Finally, stir in your tomato paste, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce.1 pound ground beef, 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub, 1 medium carrot, 2 ribs celery, 4 Tablespoons butter, 4 Tablespoons flour, 3 cups beef stock, 2 Tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ cup peas
- Combine and bake. Top meat filling with spoonfuls of mashed potatoes, and then smooth with spatula. Next, sprinkle cheese on top, and then bake at 400 degrees F for 6-7 minutes, or until cheese is golden brown. Serve warm and enjoy.1 cup cheddar cheese
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
