Warm, hearty, and utterly comforting, this Traditional English Cottage Pie is a timeless classic that’s perfect for cozy family dinners. Featuring a rich and savory ground beef filling cooked with onions, carrots, celery, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce, this dish is topped with creamy mashed potatoes and a golden, bubbly layer of melted cheddar cheese. Packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients like frozen peas and dried thyme, this cottage pie strikes the perfect balance between rustic simplicity and satisfying indulgence. Ready in just over an hour, it’s an ideal make-ahead option for busy weeknights. Serve it hot and let the irresistible aroma transport you straight to the English countryside.
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Chop the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic finely, and sauté them in the skillet until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 8 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Add the frozen peas, stir to combine, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove the skillet from heat and set the filling aside.
Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks. Boil them in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Drain the potatoes and mash them with butter and milk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Spread the beef filling evenly into an oven-safe baking dish.
Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the filling, spreading them out evenly with the back of a spoon. Use a fork to create a ridged pattern on the surface.
Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the mashed potatoes.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Allow the cottage pie to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your traditional English Cottage Pie!
Calories |
3146 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 188.3 g | 241% | |
| Saturated Fat | 79.3 g | 396% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 554 mg | 185% | |
| Sodium | 5044 mg | 219% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 235.3 g | 86% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 31.9 g | 114% | |
| Total Sugars | 41.3 g | ||
| Protein | 140.1 g | 280% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.6 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 889 mg | 68% | |
| Iron | 21.9 mg | 122% | |
| Potassium | 7360 mg | 157% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.