Traditional Cottage Pie 🥧🍖
Cottage pie is a classic British comfort food that's perfect for a hearty family meal. This dish features a rich, savoury beef filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked to golden perfection. It’s simple, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients:
🥩 Minced beef: 500g
🧅 Onion: 1 large, finely chopped
🥕 Carrot: 2 medium, peeled and diced
🥔 Potatoes: 800g, peeled and chopped
🧄 Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
🍅 Tomato purée: 2 tbsp
🍄 Mushrooms: 100g, sliced (optional)
🍷 Beef stock: 250ml (use a non-alcoholic version if needed)
🧂 Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp
🍃 Thyme: 1 tsp, dried (or fresh, chopped)
🧈 Butter: 50g
🧴 Olive oil: 1 tbsp
🧑🍳 Milk: 100ml
🧂 Salt and pepper: To taste
Method:
🥔 Boil the potatoes: Place the peeled and chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain, then mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
🍳 Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the minced beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Remove excess fat if necessary.
🧅 Add vegetables: Add the chopped onion, carrot, garlic, and mushrooms (if using) to the beef. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
🍅 Create the sauce: Stir in the tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Pour in the beef stock and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the mixture thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
🧑🍳 Assemble the pie: Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan). Transfer the beef mixture into a baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with the mashed potatoes, spreading them with a spoon to cover the filling completely. You can use a fork to create a nice texture on top.
🍽 Bake: Pop the dish into the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and slightly crispy.
Serving Information:
⏱ Prep Time: 30 minutes
🍴 Cooking Time: 45 minutes
🍽 Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
🍽 Servings: 4
🔥 Calories: ~450 per serving
Enjoy your comforting cottage pie with some peas or a fresh green salad for a complete meal! 😊