Easy English Cottage Pie
Easy English Cottage Pie is a classic British comfort food made with seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and a creamy mashed potato topping baked until golden and bubbly. Perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
Beef Filling:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 3 carrots diced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Mashed Potato Topping:
- 4 potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup butter softened
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ pound shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned (5–7 minutes).
- Add onion and carrots; cook until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in flour, Italian seasoning, cinnamon, and parsley.
- Mix beef broth and tomato paste, then add to skillet.
- Season with salt and pepper and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.
- Boil potatoes in salted water until tender (about 15 minutes). Drain and mash.
- Add milk and butter to potatoes; mash until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread beef mixture into a baking dish.
- Top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Cinnamon is optional but adds a warm depth of flavor.
- You can replace beef with lamb for a traditional Shepherd’s Pie version.
- Great for meal prep and freezes well.