Traditional Cottage Pie
Traditional dish · British
A classic British comfort food featuring a rich, savory minced beef filling topped with a creamy mashed potato crust, baked until golden brown.
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Ingredients
- Ground beef1 lb
- Onion1 medium
- Carrots2 medium
- Celery stalks2
- Garlic cloves2
- Beef broth1.5 cups
- Tomato paste2 tbsp
- Worcestershire sauce1 tbsp
- Dried thyme1 tsp
- Bay leaf1
- Potatoes2 lbs
- Butter4 tbsp
- Milk1/2 cup
- Saltto taste
- Black pepperto taste
- Frozen peas1/2 cup
Steps
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 2
Peel and dice the onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic.
- 3
In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off excess fat.
- 4
Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 5
Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, and dried thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 6
Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add the bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
- 7
While the filling simmers, peel and chop the potatoes. Place them in a pot, cover with cold water, add salt, and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- 8
Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash them with butter and milk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- 9
Remove the bay leaf from the beef filling. Stir in the frozen peas.
- 10
Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the beef filling in the skillet. Use a fork to create texture on top.
- 11
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the potato topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- 12
Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
