Traditional Yet Easy Cottage Pie Recipe For 4
Let's dive into the traditional cottage pie recipe with easy to follow instructions, inspired by the essence of this beloved dish!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 500 grams beef mince
- 1 tablespoon tomato puree
- 400 grams tin chopped tomatoes
- 1 beef stock cube
- 1 bay leaf
- 100 grams peas
- 1 kilogram potatoes (Tesco all rounder)
- 50 grams butter
- Prep Work:
Preheat your oven to gas mark 4 or 180°C (160°C for fan ovens).
Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil.
- Sauté the Vegetables:
Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
Add diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic.
Sauté until softened.
- Brown the Beef:
Increase the heat and add beef mince to the pan.
Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Cook the Potatoes:
While the beef is cooking, peel and halve the potatoes.
Boil them in the salted water until soft, about 20 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling:
Add tomato puree, chopped tomatoes, beef stock cube, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the beef mixture.
Pour in water from the tomato tin.
Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
Add peas in the last few minutes of cooking.
Remove the bay leaf.
- Mash the Potatoes:
Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and allow them to steam dry for 10 minutes.
Mash them with butter until smooth and creamy. Season with salt.
- Assemble and Bake:
Transfer the beef mixture to an ovenproof dish.
Top with the mashed potatoes, spreading them evenly.
Use a fork to rough up the surface of the potatoes.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until piping hot and golden.
- Serve:
Once baked, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
Serve hot, and enjoy the comforting flavors of traditional cottage pie.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like peas, corn, or mushrooms to the filling for extra flavor and nutrition.
- For an extra depth of flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce to the beef mixture while simmering.
- Cottage pie is a great make-ahead dish. You can prepare the filling and mashed potatoes in advance, assemble the pie, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Have Fun Baking!