I started this out as describing the dish as shepherd’s pie, but that would involve lamb. Cottage pie is made with beef although the rest of the principles are pretty similar. This family favourite dish of cottage pie is one that is a big hit with my gang. Combining minced beef, chopped veg and gravy with a topping of mashed potato, this version is basic and healthy. Serve with some peas or green beans for extra vegetables. This recipe is made to feed four people. You can eat it as leftovers the next day too.
Ingredients
500g minced beef
1 onion – chopped
2 carrots – grated
3 sticks of celery – grated
1.5kg potatoes
1 beef stock cube plus 250ml water to make up to stock
Tomato paste – a good tablespoon
Worcestershire Sauce – splash or more to taste
Salt and pepper to season
Splash of milk for the mash
Option – grated cheese for topping (but half my family prefer it without cheese)
Method
To make the mashed potato topping, peel the potatoes and cut into even quarters. Place in a big pan of cold water, put on the hob and bring to the boil. Set the timer for 15 minutes and check they are done when a fork can be easily pushed through the biggest one. Drain and leave to steam dry.
In the meantime, make the meaty bottom. Put a pan on medium high heat then add the minced beef and chopped onion. Stirring frequently, brown the mix then add in the grated celery and carrot. Cook for a couple of minutes then sprinkle on a tablespoon of flour to thicken the sauce. If you don’t want to use flour, then you can grate a potato and add it with the carrot and celery. The starch in the potato will thicken the sauce but not to the same extent as flour will.
Put 250ml or so of boiling water into a measuring jug. Add the stock pot, tomato paste and Worcestershire Sauce to taste. Stir well then add to the meat in the pan combining the liquid and flour to make a nice smooth sauce. Continue to cook on low for a few minutes to ensure the flour cooks out. Turn the heat off, leave to cool slightly then transfer to an ovenproof baking dish that is big enough to hold the potato topping too.
Put the potatoes back in the empty pan and mash with a potato masher or fork. Add a splash of mik, salt and pepper to taste then scoop onto the meat mixture in the baking dish. Gently distribute the potatoes evenly across the top. Sprinkle with grated cheese if you like. Bake in a pre heated oven at 180c for at least 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Remove and serve with some vegetables and tomato ketchup.
If you like this recipe, you might like to try my meatballs recipe: https://cookingwithfi.com/meatballs/
I did a You Tube Video for this as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy48I7VhMZ0&t=13s
Gonna try make this week good recipe!
Great. I hope you enjoy it! Did you see the You Tube cook along?
Yep was great gonna make with lamb mince this week!
Yay – looked really good :). Of course it’s shepherds pie if it’s made with lamb. Have you seen my you tube? https://cookingwithfi.com/easy-garlic-prawns-cooked-with-butter-and-chopped-garlic-makes-a-quick-and-tasty-meal/