Cottage Pie, a traditional savory pie from English cuisine, prepared with a flavorful meat sauce made from ground beef, enriched with vegetables, red wine, and stock, all topped with a creamy layer of mashed potatoes browned in the oven.
Often confused with the Shepherd’s Pie – the version with lamb – Cottage Pie actually originates as a beef dish. The name “cottage” dates back to the late 18th century when this term referred to rustic dishes made by English peasants, often with leftover meat and potatoes, which were economical yet hearty ingredients. It is a recipe that speaks of simplicity, ingenuity, and home cooking.
Whether for a Sunday lunch or a dinner with friends, the Cottage Pie is a comfort that wins over at the first bite. Plus, it can be prepared in advance and heated as needed: perfect for those who love to organize in the kitchen!
At the end of the recipe, in the FAQ section, I have answered some questions regarding this preparation. If you still have doubts or curiosity, write a comment or use the contact form at the end of the page.
Other Anglo-Saxon traditional recipes you might like:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop, Oven
- Cuisine: English
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 639.97 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 33.33 (g) of which sugars 6.26 (g)
- Proteins 39.37 (g)
- Fat 34.88 (g) of which saturated 14.95 (g)of which unsaturated 13.44 (g)
- Fibers 6.47 (g)
- Sodium 992.44 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 180 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Cottage Pie Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 carrots
- 1 1/2 cup peas
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 glass red wine
- 1 cup beef broth
- to taste thyme
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lb potatoes
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Tools
- Kitchen scale
- Skillet
- Pot
- Potato masher
- Bowl
- Baking dish
Cottage Pie Recipe
Begin preparing the Cottage Pie by heating extra virgin olive oil in a saucepan or a high-sided skillet.
Add the ground beef and brown it well.
Meanwhile, wash, peel, and chop the onion and carrots.
Place them in the pot with the ground beef and cook for another 5 minutes.
Add the peas.
Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and thyme.
Also add the tomato paste and mix well.
Deglaze with the red wine and, once evaporated, add the beef broth to the pan.
Once the broth has evaporated, turn off the heat and set the meat filling aside.
Cook the potatoes in a pot with water for about forty minutes or already chopped in the microwave in a bowl covered with plastic wrap and a glass of water for 10 minutes.
Mash the potatoes with a fork or a potato masher.
Add an egg yolk, beef broth, salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese to the mashed potatoes.
Mix everything with a spoon.
Add the butter to the mashed potatoes and mix again until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.
Assemble the pie: place a layer of mashed potatoes (about half of what was prepared) at the bottom of a baking dish.
Spread all the prepared meat filling over the mashed potatoes.
Cover everything with the remaining mashed potatoes.
Decorate the pie by scoring the mashed potatoes with the tines of a fork.
Finish the recipe with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Bake the Cottage Pie in a preheated static oven at 350°F for about 40 minutes.
Let it cool slightly and serve it at the table.
Cottage Pie
Consult this section to clear up any doubts. If you do not find the answer to your question, comment or write to me using the form below.
Also try the Stew with carrots and green beans in a slow cooker, tender and tasty
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I prepare the Cottage Pie in advance?
Yes! You can prepare it up to the baking stage in the oven. Store the dish in the refrigerator, well covered, and bake when ready to serve. It keeps well for up to 2 days.
Can the Cottage Pie be frozen?
Absolutely yes. Once cooked and cooled, you can freeze it in portions. When needed, just heat it in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes (or until hot in the center).
Can I replace the red wine in the recipe?
If you prefer to avoid wine, you can omit it entirely or replace it with more beef or vegetable broth. The result will still be tasty, but with a more delicate flavor.
You can accompany the pie with Savory zucchini scones
For questions, curiosities or if you want to collaborate with me, use the contact form below:
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