Cottage pie

Treat the family to a warming dish with this comforting classic cottage pie. Layered with beef mince and fluffy, buttery mash, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Main courses
Freshly cooked cottage pie in a square dish
  • Preparation time 30 minutes (prep. time)
  • Cooking time 30 minutes (cooking time)
  • Serves 6

Ingredients

For the filling

  • 30ml vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 1tsp dried mixed herbs
  • 300g onion, roughly chopped
  • 300g mushrooms, roughly chopped
  • 300g carrot, roughly chopped
  • 1kg minced beef
  • 500g chopped tomatoes 
  • 100ml beef stock
  • Salt and pepper to taste 

 

For the topping

  • 1.5kg potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 50g butter or margarine
  • 50ml milk
  • Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Boil the potatoes until soft. Mash together with the butter, milk, salt and pepper.
  2. Place a pan over a medium heat and add the oil. Once hot, add the onion and garlic, and sauté until soft. 
  3. Add the mushrooms and mixed herbs followed by the carrots, then stir.
  4. Add the minced beef and cook until browned.
  5. Add the chopped tomatoes and beef stock. Simmer for 30-40 minutes until the beef is cooked and the sauce has reduced. Season to taste.
  6. Decant the mince mixture into your oven dish. Top with the mashed potato and place into the oven at 170 degrees for 20-30 minutes, until golden and crispy.