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A bubbling golden-crusted cottage pie in a ceramic baking dish.

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

This recipe provides a quick and delicious way to make a classic Cottage Pie, also known as Shepherd's Pie with Beef. It features a savory beef filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes, perfect for a comforting meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Filling
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, 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 Mashed Potato 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 shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • large pot
  • potato masher
  • 9x13 inch baking dish

Method
 

Cooking the Meat Filling
  1. Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, then drain any excess fat.
  2. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, then season with dried thyme, salt, and black pepper; bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it thicken for 10 minutes.
Preparing the Mashed Potato Topping
  1. Boil the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
  2. Mash the cooked potatoes with milk and butter until smooth, then season with salt and pepper.
Assembling and Baking
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spread the meat mixture evenly into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Carefully spoon the mashed potato topping over the meat filling, ensuring it is evenly distributed; if desired, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
  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 meat filling. Adjust seasoning to your preference. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.