Hearty English Cottage Pie
Indulge in the heartwarming comfort of a Hearty English Cottage Pie. This classic dish is a symphony of rich, savory minced beef and harmonious vegetables, topped with a creamy layer of buttery mashed potatoes. The perfect meal for those cozy evenings, it brings a taste of traditional England to your dining table. Serve it with buttered peas or a fresh, simple salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
8
Servings
375
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
beef stock
400 ml ((use 1 stock cube dissolved in 400mls hot water if needed))
butter
50 g
onions
2 (peeled and finely chopped)
carrots
2 (peeled and finely diced)
celery
2 (trimmed and finely diced)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
fresh thyme
1 sprig
bay leaf
1
minced beef
1 kg ((ground beef))
tomato puree
2 tablespoons
Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons
Tabasco sauce
4 drops
red wine
175 ml
white potato
1 kg
butter
75 g (for mash)
milk
splash
parmesan cheese
to taste (finely grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan-forced) or Gas Mark 5.
2
Melt 50g of butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions, diced carrots, and celery along with minced garlic. Stir in the thyme and bay leaf.
3
Gently fry these ingredients for about 10 minutes until they are softened but not browned.
4
Increase the heat slightly, add the minced beef, and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the meat is browned.
5
Stir in the tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. Allow them to meld with the meat for about 2 minutes.
6
Raise the heat to high and pour in the red wine, letting it bubble and reduce for around 5 minutes.
7
Add the prepared beef stock, reduce the heat back to medium, and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8
Meanwhile, peel and chop the potatoes into even-sized chunks. Boil them in salted water for 15-20 minutes until they are tender.
9
Once cooked, drain the potatoes and allow them to steam dry for a few moments.
10
Transfer the beef mixture to a 20x30cm ovenproof dish and season with salt and pepper to taste.
11
Mash the potatoes with 75g of butter and a splash of milk, adding salt and pepper to your taste.
12
Spread the mashed potatoes over the beef, then grate some parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
13
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
14
Serve hot with buttered peas or a simple side salad as desired.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
27.5g
Carbs
18.75g
Protein
3.75g
Fiber
375mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty English Cottage Pie?
Hearty English Cottage Pie is a classic British comfort dish featuring rich minced beef and vegetables topped with a creamy layer of buttery mashed potatoes.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
What is the main difference between cottage pie and shepherd's pie?
Cottage pie traditionally uses minced beef, whereas shepherd's pie is made with minced lamb.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 190°C (170°C fan-forced) or Gas Mark 5.
How long does the cottage pie need to bake?
The pie should be baked for 45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
What ingredients are used for the vegetable base?
The vegetable base consists of onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic.
What herbs are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for fresh thyme and a bay leaf to flavor the beef mixture.
Can I use a stock cube for the beef stock?
Yes, you can use 1 stock cube dissolved in 400ml of hot water if fresh beef stock is not available.
What type of alcohol is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 175ml of red wine, which is reduced to enhance the flavor of the beef.
How much minced beef is required?
You will need 1 kg of minced beef (also known as ground beef) for this recipe.
What sauces are used to season the beef?
The beef is seasoned with tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, and 4 drops of Tabasco sauce.
What type of potatoes are best for the topping?
White potatoes are recommended for making the mashed potato topping.
How much butter is needed for the entire recipe?
A total of 125g of butter is used: 50g for sautéing the vegetables and 75g for the mashed potato topping.
Is there cheese in this cottage pie?
Yes, finely grated parmesan cheese is sprinkled over the mashed potatoes before baking.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 375 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 18.75g of protein in each serving of this cottage pie.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 20g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 27.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the sodium content?
Each serving contains 375mg of sodium.
Is there any fiber in this dish?
Yes, each serving provides 3.75g of dietary fiber.
How long should the beef mixture simmer?
After adding the stock, the beef mixture should simmer for 20 minutes.
How long do the potatoes need to boil?
The potatoes should be boiled in salted water for 15-20 minutes until tender.
What size dish should I use for baking?
A 20x30cm ovenproof dish is recommended for assembling the pie.
What is the suggested side dish?
The recipe suggests serving the pie with buttered peas or a fresh, simple salad.
Do I need to peel the carrots and potatoes?
Yes, the recipe specifies peeling the carrots and potatoes before preparation.
How long do I cook the minced beef?
The minced beef should be cooked for about 10 minutes until it is browned.
What is the purpose of letting potatoes steam dry?
Allowing potatoes to steam dry after draining helps achieve a fluffier mash by removing excess moisture.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 3 minced garlic cloves.
Is this recipe considered traditional?
Yes, it is tagged as a traditional English comfort food dish.
What preparation is needed for the celery?
The celery should be trimmed and finely diced before being added to the pan.