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A bubbling golden-crusted cottage pie in a ceramic baking dish.

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

This recipe delivers a hearty Cottage Pie (Shepherd's Pie with Beef) quickly and efficiently, perfect for a satisfying meal any day of the week. Featuring tender ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and a creamy mashed potato topping, it's a classic comfort food made simple.
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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 Filling
  • 1.5 lbs Ground Beef
  • 1 medium Onion chopped
  • 2 medium Carrots diced
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas
  • 1.5 cups Beef Broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
For the Topping
  • 2 lbs Potatoes peeled and quartered
  • 0.5 cup Milk
  • 4 tablespoons Butter
  • 0.5 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
Seasoning
  • Salt to taste
  • Black Pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Thyme
  • 0.5 teaspoon Rosemary

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Large Pot
  • 9x13 inch Baking Dish

Method
 

Prepare the Filling
  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then drain any excess fat.
  2. Add chopped onion and diced carrots to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer, then add the frozen peas and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Season the filling with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
Prepare the Topping
  1. Boil the peeled and quartered potatoes in salted water until very tender, then drain well.
  2. Mash the potatoes with milk and butter until smooth and creamy, then season with salt and pepper.
  3. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the mashed potatoes.
Assemble and Bake
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Spread the beef filling evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  3. Carefully spoon the mashed potato topping over the beef filling, spreading it to the edges.
  4. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Notes

For an extra crispy topping, you can briefly place the pie under a broiler for 2-3 minutes after baking, keeping a close watch to prevent burning. This recipe is also great for meal prepping; you can assemble it ahead of time and bake it when ready.