Cottage Pie Recipe

Ingredient Notes:

• Ground Beef: You can use lean ground beef (some people call it beef mince) if you prefer. Just get something that’s not too lean or it’ll be dry. If you want to make a traditional shepherd’s pie recipe, swap the beef for lamb mince instead.
• Mashed Potatoes: Our favorite topping for Cottage Shepherd’s Pie is Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, but Yukon gold potatoes work great too. Use a potato masher or potato ricer to get them smooth. If you’re making them from scratch, boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water, then mash with milk and butter.

How to make Cottage Pie step-by-step:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F.

Step 2: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease and remove the beef from the skillet.

Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat (you can add a little olive oil instead). Add diced onion and cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.

Step 4: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5: Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture and stir well. Cook and stir for 2 minutes, this is what creates that thick gravy.

Step 6: Gradually stir in beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and paprika. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. The next step is important, don’t skip the stirring or you’ll get lumps.

Step 7: Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Stir in frozen vegetables. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened. You don’t want any extra liquid or watery potatoes on top later. 

Step 8: Spoon the meat mixture into an ungreased 13×9-inch baking dish (or any casserole dish you have). Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the beef filling. Make sure your mashed potatoes are warm, or at room temperature or they’ll be hard to spread. 

Step 9: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top of the potatoes is golden brown and the beef mixture is bubbly around the edges.

Note: If you use a smaller pan, you can also place the casserole dish on a baking tray or sheet pan to catch any drips from the sauce bubbling up.

Storage and Reheating:

Storage: Store leftover cottage pie in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It can be kept for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or cover the whole dish with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes until warmed through. 

Freezing: Cottage pie freezes great! Assemble the dish but don’t bake it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed (add 10-15 minutes to baking time if still cold from the fridge).

Additions and Substitutions:

ADDITIONS:

• Mushrooms: Add 8 ounces sliced mushrooms when cooking the onions for extra flavor.
• Herbs: Fresh thyme or bay leaves add great flavor, just remember to remove the bay leaves before serving!
• Tomato Paste: Stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste with the flour for richer color and flavor.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Ground Turkey: Use ground turkey instead of red meat for a lighter version.
• Sweet Potatoes: Swap regular mashed potatoes for mashed sweet potatoes.
• Fresh Vegetables: Fresh carrots should be cooked until tender before using. Fresh peas can be added during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Cold Water: If your filling gets too thick, thin it with a little cold water.

FAQs about this Cottage Shepherd’s pie recipe:

What’s the difference between cottage pie and shepherd’s pie? Cottage pie is made with ground beef, while shepherd’s pie is made with ground lamb. That’s the only real difference, both have the same mashed potato topping and savory filling!

Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours ahead, cover it, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to eat, just bake as directed (you might need to add 15 minutes since it’s cold from the fridge).

Do I have to use a 9×13-inch pan? 

No. A 9×13-inch baking dish works best, but you can also use a similar shallow baking dish with enough surface area to evenly layer the filling and mashed potatoes in a single layer.

Can I use different vegetables? Absolutely! Green beans, mushrooms, or any vegetables your family likes will work in this recipe. Just make sure they’re cooked through before assembling.

Why is my cottage pie watery? Make sure you drain the ground beef well after cooking, and let the filling simmer long enough to thicken before adding to the baking dish. The flour roux should thicken the sauce nicely if you cook it for the full time.