Classic Cottage Pie
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or lamb for Shepherd's Pie)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Fresh thyme and rosemary
- 2 lbs Maris Piper or Russet potatoes
- 4 tbsp butter
- ½ cup warm milk
- Salt, pepper, grated cheddar for topping
Instructions
Make filling: Brown ground beef in a large ovenproof skillet over high heat. Drain excess fat. Add onion, carrot, and garlic, cooking until soft.
Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef stock, thyme, and rosemary. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy. Stir in frozen peas at the end. Taste and season well.
Make mash: Boil potatoes until completely tender. Drain and mash with butter and warm milk until completely smooth and creamy. Season generously with salt and white pepper.
Spoon the meat filling into a baking dish. Spread the mashed potato over the top using a spatula. Create ridges with a fork — these will brown and crisp in the oven. Top with grated cheddar.
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
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Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm passionate about creating delicious, accessible recipes that help you make the most out of your kitchen. Whether it's reducing food waste or exploring vibrant new flavors, my goal is to make cooking a joy for everyone.
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