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A savory cottage pie, also known as shepherd's pie with beef, topped with mashed potatoes.

Quick way to grow a Cottage Pie (Shepherd's Pie with Beef)

This recipe provides a quick and delicious way to make a classic Cottage Pie, featuring a rich beef filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes, perfect for a comforting meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Filling
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
For the Mashed Potato Topping
  • 2 lb potatoes peeled and quartered
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • 0.25 cup butter
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • pot
  • baking dish

Method
 

Beef Filling
  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then drain any excess fat.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
  4. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
Mashed Potato Topping
  1. While the beef filling simmers, boil the peeled and quartered potatoes in a pot of salted water until tender, which should take about 15-20 minutes.
  2. Drain the potatoes, then return them to the pot and mash them with milk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Assemble and Bake
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), then spread the beef filling evenly into a baking dish.
  2. Spoon the mashed potato topping over the beef, spreading it to the edges and creating a decorative pattern with a fork if desired.
  3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of dried thyme or rosemary to the beef filling. A sprinkle of grated cheese on top of the mashed potatoes before baking will also create a delicious crust.