English Cottage Pie

English Cottage Pie is a comforting classic that brings hearty flavors to your table with its savory layers of deliciousness. This traditional British dish features a rich ground beef filling simmered with aromatic vegetables, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce, perfectly seasoned with thyme. The filling is topped with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes, made extra indulgent with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese, creating a golden, bubbling crust that’s irresistible. Ideal for cozy family dinners, this satisfying one-dish meal is not only packed with flavor but also easy to prepare, requiring just 20 minutes of prep time. Serve up this timeless favorite that’s both hearty and crowd-pleasing. Perfect for those searching for "classic English cottage pie recipe" or "easy cottage pie dinner ideas."

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 500 grams ground beef
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 250 milliliters beef stock
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 150 grams frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 kilogram potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 100 grams unsalted butter
• 125 milliliters milk
• 100 grams grated cheddar cheese

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the pan and cook for about 8-10 minutes until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 6

Mix in the tomato paste, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.

Step 7

Stir in the frozen peas and remove the skillet from heat. Set the filling aside.

Step 8

In a large pot, boil the peeled and quartered potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.

Step 9

Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the butter and milk, and mash until smooth. Season with salt to taste.

Step 10

Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture into a baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 11

Top the filling with the mashed potatoes, spreading it out evenly and creating small peaks with a fork.

Step 12

Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top.

Step 13

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Step 14

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2653.4 grams (2653.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3586

Total Fat 239.80g	307%
Saturated Fat 113.40g	567%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.80g
Cholesterol 694mg	231%
Sodium 4785mg	208%
Total Carbohydrate 243.80g	89%
Dietary Fiber 30.30g	108%
Total Sugars 39.60g
Protein 143.50g	287%

Vitamin D 78IU	391%
Calcium 1283mg	99%
Iron 20mg	113%
Potassium 7506mg	160%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.2%

Protein: 15.5%

Carbs: 26.3%