Rich And Savory Cottage Pie Recipe

When it comes to comfort food, there really isn't any dish more comforting than a cottage pie. While it is similar to shepherd's pie, a cottage pie features beef as the main protein, whereas a shepherd's pie gives minced lamb a time to shine. Both savory dishes are topped with mashed potatoes, making it an all-in-one dish that is incredibly warming and comforting. 

Recipe developer Catherine Brookes enjoys the comfort of a good cottage pie, and this is a recipe that she keeps in her rotation for the cooler months. "This dish is a staple for me," she says. "It's so warming, wholesome and hearty — the perfect winter dinner." Of course, you aren't limited to wintertime to enjoy a cottage pie, but it is strongly recommended. The rich, savory, warm flavors really shine on a chilly night, but we can confirm that this dish does taste just as good in the summertime. This is also a great dish for feeding a family, with protein, vegetables, and a starch coming together in one loaded scoopful. 

As we've already covered, ground beef is the star of this pie, but you'll need some other ingredients to round it out. You'll need olive oil, an onion, celery, a carrot, red wine (Brookes opts for a merlot, but any dry type will do here), tomato purée, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. As for the mashed potato topping, you'll need peeled and diced potatoes, butter, and milk. "I find that the red wine and Worcestershire sauce are 2 key ingredients here, as they help to add a real depth of flavor," Brookes notes. 

Kick things off by heating up the olive oil in a large pot. Add in the diced onion, celery, and carrot, and allow these ingredients to cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until softened. Then, turn the heat up to high and add in the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Allow the beef to cook through, about 5 minutes. 

Next, add in the wine and let it simmer in the pan for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, add in the tomato purée, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Give everything a good stir, then simmer everything for about 30 minutes. 

While the beef and vegetables simmer, you can turn your focus to the potatoes. Add the peeled and diced potatoes to a large saucepan of boiling water, and let them cook for about 20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain them, then leave the potatoes to steam for a few minutes. Add them back to the saucepan, along with the butter, milk, and a bit of salt to taste. Finally, mash with a potato masher, until the potatoes have a smooth and creamy consistency. 

Get the oven preheating to 400 F. Mix the cornstarch with a bit of water to form a slurry, then stir it into the beef mixture, allowing the sauce to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread the beef mixture evenly in a large, rectangular baking dish, and top with an even layer of mashed potatoes. Use a fork to score the top of the potatoes, making wavy lines across the surface. This will help the potatoes brown and caramelize in the oven. Finally, bake for 30 minutes, until the mashed potatoes are golden. 

This cottage pie is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, so dig right in after it's done. "This dish is great served with steamed greens such as broccoli, green peas, or peas," Brookes suggests. "You could also serve it with a fresh side salad too."

Because this recipe makes 6 servings, there's a good chance you'll have some leftovers. "Leftovers should keep well in the fridge up to 3 days. Just reheat in the oven or microwave," Brookes says.