Are you ready for a tasty recipe that'll have your family asking for seconds? Look no further than the good old-fashioned cottage pie! It's the ultimate comfort food that'll warm your heart and fill those hungry tummies, all without breaking a sweat in the kitchen.
This easy to make cottage pie recipe is a complete meal in one dish! You've got your protein-packed beef topped with fluffy and creamy potatoes, and some sneaky veggies for added nutrition. It's a wholesome and hearty feast that will keep the whole family happy.
Easy Cottage Pie Ingredients
Whether you're a busy parent or a novice cook, my easy-to-follow instructions will guide you through making a delicious homemade cottage pie.
- beef mince
- olive oil
- onion
- carrot
- celery
- garlic
- tomato paste
- beef stock
- worcestershire sauce
- instant gravy mix
- bay leaf
- potatoes
- butter
- milk
- grated cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Now, here's the beauty of cottage pie, it's not just about the flavours, it's about the simplicity too. As busy mums, we love recipes that save time without compromising taste. With cottage pie, you can whip up a tasty meal using basic pantry staples and a handful of fresh ingredients. And don't worry, you don't need to be a master chef to nail this dish. It's as easy as browning the beef, sautéing some veggies, and then layering everything together.
Preheat your oven to 180°C and prep your mash potatoes.
Heat the olive oil in a large pan on a medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrot, and diced celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add the beef mince to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is browned and cooked through. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute.
Add the beef stock, worcestershire sauce, instant gravy mix, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 8 - 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before assembling the pie.
Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the cooked beef mixture to a large baking dish and spread it out evenly and add mash potatoes on top. Sprinkle the cheese over the mashed potatoes, and bake for 25-30 minutes.
As the cottage pie bakes in the oven, the meat becomes tender, the flavours melt together, and the mashed potatoes top turns golden. And the best part? The leftovers! Cottage pie tastes even better the next day, making it the ultimate meal prep winner. So, go ahead and indulge in this classic family favourite that will leave everyone feeling warm, cozy, and oh so satisfied (see what I did there?).
Serving Suggestions
Steamed Vegetables: Serve your cottage pie with fresh nutritious steamed vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, or green beans. Combining the flavorful pie and fresh, crisp vegetables creates a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
Fresh Salad: Accompany your cottage pie with a refreshing salad. Opt for a mix of greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and your favourite dressing. The crispness and lightness of the salad complement the heartiness of the pie, creating a delightful balance of flavours.
Freezing a Cottage Pie
- Leftover Cottage Pie: Don't underestimate the magic of cottage pie leftovers! They make for a quick and delicious meal the next day. Simply reheat individual portions in the oven or microwave for a comforting lunch or dinner option. The flavours tend to meld together even more, making the pie even tastier with each reheating.
- Freezing for Later: Cottage pie is a great dish to prepare in advance and freeze for future meals. After baking the pie, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container or baking tray. I purchase the foil trays from Woolworths and freeze the pie in it. Freeze for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it in the oven until heated through.
- Creative Leftover Makeovers: Transform your leftover cottage pie into exciting new dishes. Crumble the pie filling and use it as a flavorful topping for baked potatoes or as a filling for savoury hand pies. You can even repurpose the mashed potatoes by making potato pancakes or using them as a topping for shepherd's pie.
Easy Cottage Pie
Ingredients
- 1 kg beef mince
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and diced
- 2 celery sticks, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons instant gravy mix
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4/6 large potatoes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup grated cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C
- Peel and chop the potatoes into chunks. Place them in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, usually around 15-20 minutes.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan on a medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrot, and diced celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the beef mince to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is browned and cooked through. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute.
- Add the beef stock, worcestershire sauce, instant gravy mix, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 8 - 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before assembling the pie.
- Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the cooked beef mixture to a large baking dish and spread it out evenly. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the meat mixture, spreading them out to cover the entire surface. Use a fork to create a decorative pattern on the potatoes.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes, covering them evenly. Place the cottage pie in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the mashed potatoes turn golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is computer generated and is only an estimate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
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