Description
Mum’s Traditional Cottage Pie is a rich, heartwarming dish combining tender minced beef, fresh vegetables, and creamy mashed potato topping. This classic British comfort food is perfect for cozy family dinners, offering layers of savory meat filling and a golden, crispy potato crust that brings nostalgic flavors and satisfying warmth to your table.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Filling
- 500g lean minced beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, finely diced
- 100g peas
- 200ml beef stock
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Mashed Potato Topping
- 900g starchy potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 50g butter
- 100ml milk
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Finely chop the onion and dice the carrots evenly to ensure they cook uniformly and blend well into the meat mixture.
- Cook the Minced Beef: Heat a large pan over medium heat and brown the minced beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no pink remains to develop a rich, even texture.
- Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Stir the chopped onions and carrots into the browned meat and cook until softened. Then add the tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, and beef stock, stirring to create a flavorful base.
- Simmer the Filling: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently until thickened and most of the liquid has evaporated. Add the peas just before finishing, stirring to keep their fresh texture and color.
- Make the Mashed Potato Topping: Boil the peeled potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain, then mash with butter and milk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Pie: Transfer the meat filling into a baking dish and spread the mashed potatoes evenly on top. Use a fork to texture the surface, which will crisp beautifully during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the pie in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) and bake for about 20 minutes or until the mashed potato topping is golden and crispy around the edges.
Notes
- Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Maris Piper for a fluffier mash.
- Brown the meat thoroughly to enhance flavor through caramelization.
- Simmer the filling sufficiently to avoid a watery pie.
- Create texture on the mashed potato topping with a fork for a beautiful golden crust.
- Let the pie rest a few minutes after baking to make slicing easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6 of pie)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg