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A savory cottage pie, also known as shepherd's pie with beef, topped with mashed potatoes.

Quick way to grow a Cottage Pie (Shepherd's Pie with Beef)

This recipe provides a quick and delicious way to prepare a classic Cottage Pie, also known as Shepherd's Pie with beef. It's a comforting dish perfect for a family meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the filling
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1.5 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
For the topping
  • 2 lbs potatoes peeled and quartered
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 cup cheddar cheese shredded (optional)

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven
  • Large pot
  • Potato masher

Method
 

Prepare the Filling
  1. In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, then drain any excess grease.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Prepare the Mashed Potato Topping
  1. While the filling simmers, boil the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot of salted water until very tender, about 15-20 minutes.
  2. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash them with milk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
  3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Assemble and Bake
  1. Spread the mashed potato topping evenly over the beef filling in the skillet.
  2. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes.
  3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add a splash of red wine to the beef filling along with the beef broth. Feel free to add other vegetables to the filling, such as peas or corn.