Summary:
Cottage pie is the ultimate comfort food — a flavorful and rich meat pie with a luxuriously thick mashed potato topping. Enjoy this hearty meal on a cold wintry night or for special occasions like St. Patrick's Day.
INGREDIENTS
Meat Layer:
- 1 pound lean ground beef (Note 1)
- 1.5 cups diced onion (Note 2)
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup beef stock
- 3 tablespoons
tomato paste - 1 tablespoon
worcestershire sauce - 2 teaspoons
dried rosemary - 2 teaspoons
dried thyme leaves (Note 3) - 1.5 teaspoons table salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Potato Layer:
- 2.5 pounds russet potatoes (about 3 large), peeled, cut into 1 to 2 inch chunks
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese (Note 4)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Boil Potatoes: Boil potatoes in large pot until tender, about 30 minutes. While waiting for potatoes to cook, proceed to next steps.
- Brown Beef: Heat olive oil in large pan over medium-high heat. Add beef, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until beef is no longer pink, breaking up meat with sturdy wooden utensil and stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
- Add Veggies: Add diced onions, celery, and carrots to pan with beef. Cook until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beef stock, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce to pan, stirring well as it simmers. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until sauce is thickened, about 15 minutes. Turn off heat.
- Mash Potatoes: When potatoes have finished cooking, drain well. Add butter and parmesan cheese to pot with drained potatoes. Mash until smooth.
- Assemble & Bake: Transfer meat mixture to 2 quart baking dish, spreading evenly along bottom of dish. Spoon mashed potatoes over meat, using fork to rough up potato surface. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake uncovered at 400 F until peaks of potatoes are crispy, about 30 minutes. Serve (Note 5).
NUTRITION
| Makes 6 Servings |
| Amount Per Serving: |
| Calories 510 (38% from fat) | |
| Total Fat 21g | 33% |
| Saturated Fat 9g | 47% |
| Cholesterol 94mg | 31% |
| Sodium 930mg | 39% |
| Net Carb 46g | |
| Total Carb 51g | 17% |
| Dietary Fiber 5g | 19% |
| Sugars 7.5g | |
| Protein 29g |
PHOTOS
Delicious. I did add a nice healthy splash of red wine to the beef mixture and i gotta say it makes it even better. I’ve made this three times now, it’s a staple in my house
Rave reviews from my friends! I added green peas and substituted sweet potato for half of the russets. I also added about half a cup of some leftover rich beef gravy. Merlot was a great pairing! A keeper!
good recipe but i would add garlic next time. it just felt like there was an element missing
This sounds amazing. I’m looking to make this during the week and possibly freeze it? Does it freeze well?
This was good, could have used a bit more flavor, but it was good anyway.
Maybe some wine next time.
Fantastic!!!
This was delicious! I made it just as instructed for my family for St. Patrick’s Day – we all thought it was great, thanks!
This was fantastic and easy to make! Thank you for sharing!!!
This is absolutely delicious!
Was looking for a cottage pie recipe and nearly fell off my chair when you mentioned Outlander and Deeds of Paksenarrion. Although Paks was not originally released in 92 as I read it in High School and graduated in 1988. It is one of my favorite books!!! My favorite book….Outlander which I also read when it was released which was 92 I believe. Anyway, trying your recipe tonight? Did you finish all the books?
Hi Danielle! I’ve read (and re-read) all of the Paks books — they’re still one of my favorite series! I haven’t read Outlander but I watch the TV show.
You might enjoy books by an author named Robin Hobb (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hobb_bibliography). I absolutely love her writing! Start with The Farseer Trilogy (the 1st book is Assassin’s Apprentice). She has multiple trilogies that follow one after each other in the same world. I’ve been “reading” them via audiobook and the voice acting is fantastic.
I never post comments… I just had to chime in here. The Outlander book series is fantastic, much better than the TV shows. I personally prefer the books after the 3rd. I second your comment about Robin Hobb and the audiobooks. She is an amazing storyteller. Because of your great taste in books, I’ll have to check out Paks. As for the recipe, it’ll be dinner on Sunday. Thanks!
You’re welcome! I’m always excited when I see another Robin Hobb fan. I’m currently working my way through her Elderling Realm books. I finished The Farseer Trilogy, Liveship Traders Trilogy, and The Tawny Man Trilogy; right now I’m in the middle of The Rain Wild Chronicles. I love how her characters are so realistic and relatable 🙂 I hope you get a chance to check out Paks soon!
Haven’t try it yet! Can’t wait to make it!
Best part is that I am Irish!
A few hours of Cab sounds good! 🙂
I added a few hours of Cabernet Sauvignon
Sorry. I meant to say, I added a few glugs of Cabernet Sauvignon