This hearty cottage pie is a comforting dish perfect for any family dinner. With a savory ground beef filling and a creamy mashed potato topping, it's a meal that satisfies both the stomach and the soul. The combination of vegetables and beef broth creates a rich and flavorful base, making it a favorite for all ages.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples, but you might need to pick up a few items if you don't have them on hand. Tomato paste is essential for adding depth to the filling, and beef broth provides the necessary liquid and flavor. Make sure to get fresh carrots and peas for the best texture and taste.
Ingredients For Cottage Pie Recipe
Ground beef: Provides the hearty base for the filling.
Carrots: Adds sweetness and texture to the dish.
Peas: Brings a pop of color and flavor.
Onion: Enhances the overall taste with its aromatic qualities.
Tomato paste: Adds richness and depth to the filling.
Beef broth: Provides the necessary liquid and enhances the beef flavor.
Mashed potatoes: Creates a creamy, comforting topping.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the mashed potatoes for this cottage pie, consider using a potato ricer instead of a traditional masher. This will give you a smoother and creamier texture, which spreads more evenly over the beef mixture and results in a more aesthetically pleasing and delicious top layer.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.
carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips offer a slightly sweeter taste and similar texture when diced.
peas - Substitute with green beans: Green beans provide a similar color and nutritional value, and can be chopped to match the size of peas.
onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks have a milder flavor and can be used in the same quantity as onions.
tomato paste - Substitute with pureed tomatoes: Pureed tomatoes can provide a similar rich tomato flavor and consistency.
beef broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a gluten-free alternative that still adds depth of flavor.
mashed potatoes - Substitute with mashed cauliflower: Mashed cauliflower is a lower-carb, gluten-free alternative that mimics the texture of mashed potatoes.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
Allow the cottage pie to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation from forming, which can make the mashed potatoes soggy.
For short-term storage, transfer the cottage pie to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
If you plan to freeze the cottage pie, portion it into individual servings. This makes reheating easier and more convenient.
Wrap each portion tightly with plastic wrap, ensuring there are no air pockets. Then, place the wrapped portions into a freezer-safe bag or container.
Label the container with the date and contents. Cottage pie can be frozen for up to 2-3 months without losing its quality.
When ready to reheat, thaw the cottage pie in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture of the mashed potatoes.
Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cottage pie is heated through and the top is golden brown.
For a quicker option, you can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place the cottage pie in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and heat on medium power for 3-5 minutes, stirring halfway through.
To maintain the crispiness of the mashed potatoes, you can finish reheating in the oven for a few minutes after microwaving.
Always check the internal temperature of the cottage pie to ensure it reaches at least 165°F (74°C) before serving.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover cottage pie in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the mashed potatoes from drying out.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the beef mixture is heated through and the top is slightly golden.
Microwave Method:
- Transfer a portion of the cottage pie to a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small corner open for steam to escape.
- Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, then check the temperature.
- Stir the beef mixture and mashed potatoes slightly to ensure even heating.
- Continue heating in 1-minute intervals until fully warmed.
Stovetop Method:
- Place a portion of the cottage pie in a non-stick skillet.
- Add a splash of beef broth or water to prevent sticking.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and heat on medium-low.
- Stir occasionally to ensure even heating, cooking for about 10-15 minutes until hot.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the cottage pie in an air fryer-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the mashed potatoes moist.
- Heat for 10-15 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
Slow Cooker Method:
- Transfer the cottage pie to the slow cooker.
- Set the slow cooker to low heat.
- Cover and cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the beef mixture and mashed potatoes are evenly heated.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the cottage pie until the top is golden brown.
Skillet: Used to cook the ground beef and vegetables.
Spatula: Handy for stirring the beef and vegetable mixture.
Cutting board: Essential for chopping the onions and dicing the carrots.
Knife: Used to chop the onions and dice the carrots.
Measuring cups: Necessary for measuring the carrots, peas, and beef broth.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the tomato paste.
Baking dish: Used to transfer the beef mixture and spread the mashed potatoes on top.
Potato masher: Useful for mashing the potatoes if they are not pre-mashed.
Colander: Used to drain excess fat from the cooked ground beef.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the mixture in the skillet.
Oven mitts: Important for safely handling the hot baking dish when removing it from the oven.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop onions, carrots, and measure out peas the night before to save time.
Use pre-made mashed potatoes: Opt for store-bought mashed potatoes to cut down on preparation time.
Cook beef in bulk: Brown extra ground beef and freeze portions for future use.
Simmer while preheating: Start simmering the beef mixture while the oven preheats to streamline the process.
One-pan method: Use an oven-safe skillet to cook the beef mixture and then directly layer the mashed potatoes on top, reducing dishwashing time.
Cottage Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 cup Carrots, diced
- 1 cup Peas
- 1 cup Onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- 4 cups Mashed Potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add the chopped onions, carrots, and peas to the skillet. Cook until tender.
- Stir in the tomato paste and beef broth. Simmer until the mixture thickens.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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