Irish cottage pie is a comforting and hearty dish that brings together savory ground beef, tender vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes. This classic recipe is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion, offering a delicious blend of flavors and textures that everyone will love.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are commonly found in your pantry or refrigerator. However, if you don't usually keep tomato paste or beef broth on hand, you might need to pick these up at the supermarket. Tomato paste adds a rich depth of flavor, while beef broth provides a savory base for the filling.

Ingredients For Irish Cottage Pie
Ground beef: Provides the savory, meaty base for the pie.
Carrots: Adds sweetness and a bit of crunch to the filling.
Peas: Brings a pop of color and a touch of sweetness.
Onion: Adds depth and a slight sweetness to the dish.
Tomato paste: Enhances the flavor with a rich, concentrated tomato taste.
Beef broth: Creates a savory, flavorful sauce for the filling.
Mashed potatoes: Forms the creamy, comforting topping for the pie.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the overall flavor.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the mashed potatoes for your Irish Cottage Pie, consider using a potato ricer instead of a traditional masher. This tool helps achieve a smoother, creamier texture, which spreads more evenly over the meat mixture and creates a more appealing golden-brown crust when baked. Additionally, ensure your mashed potatoes are slightly thicker than usual by reducing the amount of milk or cream you add. This will help them hold their shape better during baking.
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.
ground beef - Substitute with lentils: Lentils are a great vegetarian alternative that adds protein and a hearty texture.
carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a similar texture and sweetness, making them a good alternative.
carrots - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes add a different kind of sweetness and a unique flavor.
peas - Substitute with green beans: Green beans provide a similar color and a slightly different but complementary flavor.
peas - Substitute with edamame: Edamame offers a similar texture and a boost of protein.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and can be used in the same quantity.
onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks provide a subtle onion flavor and a slightly different texture.
tomato paste - Substitute with ketchup: Ketchup can be used in a pinch, though it is sweeter and less concentrated.
tomato paste - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes add a similar tomato flavor but with a bit more liquid.
beef broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth provides a similar savory base, though slightly lighter in flavor.
beef broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a good vegetarian option that still adds depth of flavor.
mashed potatoes - Substitute with cauliflower mash: Cauliflower mash is a lower-carb alternative with a similar creamy texture.
mashed potatoes - Substitute with sweet potato mash: Sweet potato mash adds a different flavor profile and a bit of sweetness.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add saltiness along with umami flavor.
pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds heat and a different kind of spice.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
- Allow the Irish Cottage Pie to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the mashed potatoes soggy.
- Transfer the cooled pie into an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Ensure there are no gaps to keep the pie fresh.
- Store the covered pie in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
- For freezing, wrap the pie tightly with plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
- Freeze the Irish Cottage Pie for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat the thawed pie in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-40 minutes or until the mashed potatoes are golden and the filling is bubbly.
- For individual servings, cut the pie into portions before freezing. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag.
- To reheat individual frozen portions, microwave on high for 3-5 minutes or bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover Irish Cottage Pie in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the mashed potatoes from drying out.
- Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until the ground beef and vegetables are heated through.
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to let the top get a bit crispy.
Microwave Method:
- Place a portion of the Irish Cottage Pie on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small gap for steam to escape.
- Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir the meat mixture and mashed potatoes to ensure even heating.
- Continue heating in 1-minute intervals until thoroughly heated.
Stovetop Method:
- Place a portion of the Irish Cottage Pie in a skillet.
- Add a splash of beef broth or water to keep it moist.
- Cover the skillet with a lid.
- Heat on medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the ground beef and vegetables are heated through.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place a portion of the Irish Cottage Pie in an air fryer-safe dish.
- Heat for about 10-15 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
- If the mashed potatoes start to brown too quickly, cover the dish with foil.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the cottage pie until the top is golden brown.
Skillet: Essential for browning the ground beef and cooking the vegetables.
Spatula: Handy for stirring the ingredients in the skillet and spreading the mashed potatoes.
Baking dish: The vessel where the meat mixture and mashed potatoes are layered and baked.
Knife: Necessary for dicing the onions and carrots.
Cutting board: Provides a surface for chopping the vegetables.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the carrots, peas, and beef broth accurately.
Measuring spoons: Useful for measuring the tomato paste and seasoning.
Potato masher: Helps in preparing the mashed potatoes if they are not pre-made.
Colander: Used to drain excess fat from the cooked ground beef.
Mixing bowl: Useful for mixing the mashed potatoes if you need to add any additional ingredients.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the meat mixture and ensuring everything is well combined.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Dice carrots, onions, and measure out peas and beef broth ahead of time to streamline cooking.
Use pre-made mashed potatoes: Save time by using store-bought mashed potatoes instead of making them from scratch.
Cook in batches: Brown the ground beef and cook the vegetables simultaneously in separate pans to speed up the process.
Simmer efficiently: Use a wide skillet to allow the meat mixture to thicken faster.
Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven as soon as you begin cooking to avoid waiting later.

Irish Cottage Pie
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 cup Carrots, diced
- 1 cup Peas
- 1 cup Onion, diced
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- 4 cups Mashed Potatoes
- to taste Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add diced onions, carrots, and peas to the skillet. Cook until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in tomato paste and beef broth. Simmer until the mixture thickens.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
I suggest you try these favourites too!
- Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe1 Hours
- Vegetarian Quesadillas Recipe25 Minutes
- Vegetable Ratatouille Recipe1 Hours
- Stuffed Bell Peppers With Quinoa Recipe45 Minutes
- Stuffed Bell Peppers With Quinoa And Veggies Recipe45 Minutes
- Spiced Carrot And Ginger Soup Recipe45 Minutes
- Sautéed Vegetables Recipe25 Minutes
- Roasted Eggplant Recipe40 Minutes
- Quinoa And Vegetable Soup Recipe45 Minutes
- Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers Recipe30 Minutes
- Herbed Quinoa Salad Recipe30 Minutes
- Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Recipe25 Minutes
Leave a Reply