Cottage Pie – comfort food central! This English classic has a deeply savoury beef mince filling smothered in gravy topped with creamy mashed potato, baked until golden. One of the best cosy foods to make with ground beef!
Wondering what’s the difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd’s Pie? Same recipe except Cottage Pie is made with beef and Shepherd’s Pie is made with lamb! (Because Shepherd’s herd sheep….)
Cottage Pie
Cottage Pie is a fabulous English classic, one that us Aussies have adopted as one of our beloved winter favorites! Or in my case, all-year-round-favourite.
Easy to make, economical, every day ingredients and 100% freezer friendly, it’s the sort of food that has universal appeal (well, putting aside vegetarians 😂)
There’s two components to Cottage Pie – the beef filling and the creamy mashed potato topping. The filling is beefy and deeply savoury and it WILL take willpower not to shovel it in your mouth as you’re cooking it…..
….then you get on with that creamy mashed potato filling and it WILL take serious willpower not to shovel THAT into your mouth too…
But you’ll hold out because you know that it’s worth the patience because when you pull the bubbling beauty of of the oven and see that crusty golden top, your chest will puff up with pride, everybody at the table will clap their hands with glee, and no matter how dismal the day, it’s just been made a whole lot better with your Cottage Pie.
What’s the difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd’s Pie?
There is quite often confusion over the difference between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie. Both are made the same way – a beef mince filling in a gravy sauce that is topped with mashed potato, sprinkled with parmesan then baked. (That crusty top is everything!!)
The only difference is that Shepherd’s Pie is made with lamb instead of beef. So if you want, just swap the beef in this recipe with lamb and you’ll have a Shepherd’s Pie!
What goes in Cottage Pie
Here’s what you need for Cottage Pie.
Feel free to switch the beef with any protein – this is delicious made with lamb (which makes it Shepherd’s Pie), chicken, turkey, pork. Also don’t fret if you don’t have carrot and celery – skip it or add other diced vegetables, like peas.
And here’s what you need for the mashed potato topping.
I like to put parmesan cheese on my Cottage Pie because it makes the top extra crispy and golden. But any melting cheese will work great.
Cottage Pie from scratch
This Cottage Pie is made from scratch, and it’s very straightforward. If you can make Bolognese and mashed potato, you can make Cottage Pie because it essentially follows the same steps!
Cottage Pie – 2 little tips
I just have 2 little tips to make your Cottage Pie a resounding success:
- To stop the potato from sinking into the filling, cool the filling first. But this isn’t a deal breaker, it’s just a visual thing ie if you don’t cool the filling, the potato “bleeds” into the beef mixture; and
- Ensure the filling reduces down enough (see video) to ensure you don’t end up with a watery filling after baking. It’s so disappointing when you break through the potato to be greeted with a beef sitting in a watery sauce!
How to freeze Cottage Pie
Cottage Pie is one of those rare foods that is truly perfect to make in advance. It will keep in the fridge for 4 days – assembled and ready to heat, or once cooked.
You can also freeze Cottage Pie 100% perfectly. You can bake from frozen – though it does take around 1 hour (it’s a formidable block of ice!!) or thaw then bake. Cooked leftovers also freeze well.
What goes with Cottage Pie
This is a meat and carb heavy dish, so it goes really well with fresh side salads like a Rocket Salad with Balsamic Dressing, or a Garden Salad with French or Italian Dressing. I recently served it with this Carrot Salad with a Honey Dijon Dressing which was a hit!
For a cosy meal on a cold winter night, try it with a side of Glazed Roasted Carrots and Sautéed Garlic Spinach. The only other thing you need is a glass of red and a crackling fire…
Or in my case, squatting by an ancient electric heater! 😂 – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Cottage Pie
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 onion , finely chopped
- 1 carrot , finely chopped*
- 1 celery , finely chopped*
- 750g / 1.5 lb beef mince (ground beef)
- 1/4 cup (40g) flour (plain / all purpose)
- 1/4 cup (55g) tomato paste
- 2 cups (500 ml) beef stock / broth , low sodium
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) red wine (or water)
- 1 beef bouillon cube , crumbled (stock cube, or 1 tsp stock powder)
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 3 sprigs fresh thyme)
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Topping
- 1.2 kg / 2.5 lb potatoes , peeled and cut into 2.5cm / 1" cubes
- 2/3 cup (165 ml) milk , warmed
- 2 tbsp (30g) butter
Parmesan Crust (optional)
- 2 tbsp (30g) butter
- 2 tbsp (20g) parmesan, grated
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 1 minute. Then add carrots and celery. Cook for 3 minutes or until softened and sweet.
- Turn heat up to high. Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until browned.
- Add flour and mix in. Add tomato paste, broth, red wine, bouillon cube, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, salt and pepper.
- Bring to simmer, then turn down heat so it is simmering rapidly - I have it on medium high. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reduces down to a gravy consistency (Note 1) (see video). Taste then add more salt if desired.
- Transfer to 6 cup pie dish (1.5 litre / quart). Cover, cool if you have time (even overnight). Cool filling = easier to top with mash (Note 2)
Assemble Pie
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
- Cook potatoes in boiling water for 15 minutes or until soft. Drain then return to pot on turned off stove. Shake briefly and allow to steam dry for 30 seconds or so (Note 3).
- Add butter and mash until melted, then add milk and salt. Mash until smooth.
- Spread onto pie, use a fork to rough up the surface (rougher surface = more golden bits). Sprinkle with paremsan, drizzle with butter (or skip this and just drizzle with olive oil)
- Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until golden on top and bubbling on the edges. Stick a knife into the middle to ensure it is piping hot.
- Stand for 5 minutes before serving, garnished with fresh thyme leaves if desired.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published October 2016. Updated 2020 with fresh new photos and video. No change to recipe – I wouldn’t dare!
More pie recipes
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Shepherd’s Pie (lamb – because Shepherd’s herd sheep!)
- Chunky Beef and Mushroom Pie
- Fish Pie
- Leftover Turkey Pot Pie with Garlic Bread Topping
- Browse all cosy Winter Warmers
Life of Dozer
That’s what Dozer looks like when he’s peeved. He’s cranky because he squeezed himself under this tiny table, waited so patiently for me to finish taking photos and he didn’t get a taste test!
So good! Made this cottage pie the other night for dinner. Made it exactly as written except for one addition. I had 2 cooked ears of corn in the fridge left over from the weekend. I cut the corn off the cobs and added it after the meat mixture had simmered. Just delicious! Thanks for another great recipe.
Made this tonight and it was amazing! Husband loved it like I knew he would because he ONLY likes your recipes!! Naggie, I only cook your recipes and every single one is a huge hit in my house. My husband just told me tonight how he gets excited to come home for dinner every night! Keep those delicious recipes coming because you have two HUGE fans in Tampa Florida!
Oh that’s so sweet Margery! I love hearing this!! – Nagi x
Best Cottage Pie I have cooked. Thank you vor all of your recipes.
Fabulous! Made it tonight for neighbors and their kids are picky and gluten free. They LOVED it! I have always loved it and I added a layer of frozen peas on top of the meat before topping with mashed potatoes and it was delicious! Thanks for this great recipe!!
Just Yum! The whole family loved it. Great flavours
That’s great to hear Philippa! N x
I am normally not a fan of cottage pie – but hubby loves it! So thought I’d give yours a go – Oh my goodness – BEAUTIFUL. – So good. Amazing flavors – Big win in this house!
Just made this tonight! It was so yummy and hearty. Ended up using the carrot and celery AS WELL AS the teaspoon of sugar. The flavour was perfecto! Thanks again Nagi for yet another delicious and easy recipe 🙂
This looks Fantastic and cant wait to make it this week, but I was wondering if I could substitute tomato paste with something else?? Reason: Heartburn
Busy making this now! My fiancé and I are always taking turns making your recipes. Love from South Africa
Delicious!! Hi and thanks all the way from Argentina, I love your recipes!
Have made this and the Shepherds Pie, multiple times since Lockdown 1 and now lockdown 2. Do double batches, and put in ramekins for single serves and a couple of larger dishes for freezing. BIGGEST problem is that a ramekin serve is just not enough ! It’s so moreish, so now do larger portions and that’s just for me ! Fantastic recipes and I’m so glad I’ve found your website. Many thanks !
made cottage pie..very good
Delicious! Did 1/2 tomato paste 1/2 paprika paste (because we LOVE paprika) and added some mustard to the mash. Everyone loved it, thank you Nagi for the recipe!
Yum!!! Sounds fab Karina! N x
what potatoes is recommended?
Hi Mei, any potato good for mashing – I generally use the brushed potatoes or dutch cream – N x
Nagi has never steered me wrong! The simplicity of your recipes make it possible for anyone to modify based on what they have in their pantries. The comments are great when everyone chips in with ideas. I added a dash of balsamic vinegar and some ground nutmeg & cayenne into the mince. Topped with cauliflower cream cheese garlic mash.
Husband of 27 years just said, “that’s the best cottage pie you’ve ever made.” And I’ve made a few over the years. Thank you Nagi, and Dozer. Brilliant meal with the Glazed Roasted carrots.
When I was at grammar school in England they always served cottage pie with grated carrot but there was no carrot in the mince mixture. I read somewhere that carrot reduces the acidity of meat. I usually serve it with pickled beetroot or pickled red cabbage or even ordinary boiled cabbage. I wouldn’t put garlic in it or red wine but can see that it might make it richer and even more tasty but I like it plain.
What kind of red wine do you use?
Hi Alina, any red will do – I usually get mine from the discount bins at the local liquor store. N x
This turned out amazing! Made one batch for my boss and since we don’t eat meat made your recipe exactly but with lentils and mushrooms instead of beef. You are one of my go to sites for recipes! Thank you so much!
This recipe is fantastic. So happy with how it turned out. Thanks.
I made this once before, the flavours were very very delicious. I follow instructions on letting mixture cool down then top with the mash then bake.. Although due to the temperature once cooked And ready to eat, The potato on top collapsed and didn’t set ontop. I am currently making it again tonight and I really hope that by cooling it down from taking it out of The even before eating prevents this.