0 from 333 votes
The Best Cottage Pie
Cottage Pie and its cousin Shepherd's Pie are the crown jewels of Irish and British country cooking and everyone should know how to make one.
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 610 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
British , Irish
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 leeks trimmed, thinly sliced, and washed
- 1 bunch thin young carrots or 2 regular sized trimmed, peeled and sliced
- 1.5 lbs ground beef short ribs you can use regular ground beef as well
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste I always keep a tube in the fridge
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup good beef stock or bone broth
- a sprinkle of Wondra flour a quick dissolving flour optional
- salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
mashed potato topping
- 1.5 lb Russet potatoes peeled and cut in chunks
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter divided
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté the leeks and carrots for about 5 minutes. Remove to a plate.
- Brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it browns so it has a nice crumbly texture. If it's excessively greasy, drain some off. I didn't, I like to retain the fat for flavor unless there's a ton of it.
- Stir in the tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and broth to combine. Bring up to a simmer and let simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the broth to reduce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If your gravy is very thin you might want to stir in a sprinkling of Wondra flour, about a teaspoon to start, which will thicken it up instantly. Be sparing with it, a little will do.
- Add the vegetables back into the pan and mix well. Turn the mixture into a large pie plate or casserole dish. Spread out evenly.
- Meanwhile boil the potatoes until very tender. Drain and mash with the buttermilk and 3 tablespoons of the butter. Add more buttermilk if the potato mixture seems dry. Fold in the cheese and season with a little salt and pepper if needed.
- Spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the pie. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and gently brush over the mashed potatoes.
- Put the baking dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips, and bake for about 50 minutes, or until browned and bubbling.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
610kcal
(31%)
Carbohydrates
29g
(10%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
42g
(65%)
Saturated Fat
18g
(90%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
17g
Trans Fat
2g
Cholesterol
122mg
(41%)
Sodium
454mg
(19%)
Potassium
1072mg
(31%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
2737IU
(55%)
Vitamin C
28mg
(31%)
Calcium
225mg
(23%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 610
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 610kcal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 42g | 65% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Trans Fat | 2g | 100% |
| Cholesterol | 122mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 454mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 1072mg | 23% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 2737IU | 55% |
| Vitamin C | 28mg | 31% |
| Calcium | 225mg | 23% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.