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Cottage Pie

Comforting Cottage Pie: Your New Favorite Cozy Dinner

Cottage Pie is a cozy, home-cooked meal filled with hearty ingredients and creamy mashed potatoes, perfect for chilly nights.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: British
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Filling
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Substitute with ground turkey for lighter option.
  • 1 medium Onion Use shallots for milder taste if preferred.
  • 2 medium Carrots Can substitute with peas or corn.
  • 2 stalks Celery Omit for a simpler mixture if necessary.
  • 8 ounces Mushrooms Substitute with cooked lentils for vegetarian option.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Fresh is ideal, but garlic powder can work in a pinch.
  • 2 tablespoons Flour Use cornstarch or gluten-free flour as alternatives.
  • 1 cup Beef Broth Chicken or vegetable broth can also be used.
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste Can replace with crushed tomatoes if needed.
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce Use soy sauce for a vegan alternative.
  • 1 teaspoon Thyme Fresh herbs preferred, dried also works.
  • 1 teaspoon Rosemary Fresh herbs preferred, dried also works.
  • 1 leaf Bay Leaf Omit if not available but add flavor with herbs.
For the Mashed Potato Topping
  • 2 pounds Potatoes Yukon Gold is best for mashing.
  • 4 tablespoons Butter Use dairy-free butter for vegan version.
  • 1/2 cup Milk Use almond milk for a vegan version.
  • 1 cup Cheese Optional; substitute with nutritional yeast for vegan alternative.

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Pot
  • baking dish

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Prepare Meat Filling: Sauté the onion, carrots, celery, and mushrooms in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef and garlic, cooking until browned, about 7-10 minutes.
  2. Create Gravy: Sprinkle flour over beef mixture, stirring well. Gradually add beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, then remove bay leaf.
  3. Make Mashed Potatoes: Boil potatoes until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain, return to pot, and mash with butter and milk until smooth. Stir in cheese if desired.
  4. Assemble: Spread mashed potatoes over beef filling in baking dish, smoothing out with a spatula.
  5. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Broil for a couple of minutes for extra crispiness.
  6. Serve: Let cottage pie rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 29gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 700IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Optional: Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley for extra color and flavor. Cottage pie makes great leftovers!

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