Hearty Irish Cottage Pie
Introducing the Hearty Irish Cottage Pie, a comforting and delicious twist on the classic shepherd's pie that is perfect for family gatherings or cozy evenings at home. This dish features a rich, flavorful filling made with tender ground beef, savory vegetables, and a creamy gravy, all topped with a fluffy layer of buttery mashed potatoes. With its nutty undertones from a hint of nutmeg and a satisfying crunch from the corn, this pie is sure to warm your heart and fill your belly. Serve it with a side salad for a complete meal, or enjoy it on its own!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
2 lbs (cooked and browned)
diced onion
1 cup (raw)
diced carrot
1 cup (raw)
diced celery
1 cup (raw)
corn
1.5 cups (fresh or frozen)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
salt
to taste
black pepper
to taste
nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon
beef broth
8 ounces
butter
2 tablespoons (melted and mixed with)
flour
2 tablespoons (for roux)
potatoes
2 lbs (cooked and mashed with butter)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2
Add the diced onion, carrot, celery, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook the mixture for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the onion is translucent.
3
Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for a few minutes.
4
In a separate bowl, make a roux by combining melted butter with flour. Stir the roux into the meat mixture until the filling thickens into a gravy. Check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if desired.
5
Remove the meat filling from heat and allow it to cool slightly before pouring it into a large shallow baking pan. The filling should be approximately 1-1/2 inches deep.
6
Evenly distribute the corn on top of the meat mixture, followed by a generous layer of hot, mashed potatoes. Use a spatula to smooth the potatoes, then brush the surface with melted butter for an enticing golden crust.
7
Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) for 35-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Hearty Irish Cottage Pie!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Irish Cottage Pie?
Hearty Irish Cottage Pie is a comforting dish featuring a rich filling of ground beef, vegetables, and gravy topped with a layer of buttery mashed potatoes.
What is the difference between cottage pie and shepherd's pie?
While both are similar, cottage pie typically uses ground beef, whereas shepherd's pie traditionally uses ground lamb. This recipe uses ground beef, making it a cottage pie.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
This recipe requires 2 lbs of lean ground beef, which should be cooked and browned before assembling the pie.
Which vegetables are included in the filling?
The filling includes diced onion, diced carrot, diced celery, minced garlic, and 1.5 cups of fresh or frozen corn.
What unusual spice is added to this Irish Cottage Pie?
The recipe includes a half-teaspoon of nutmeg, which provides subtle nutty undertones to the beef filling.
How do I make the gravy for the filling?
The gravy is created by simmering the beef and vegetables in 8 ounces of beef broth and then thickening it with a roux made of melted butter and flour.
What is a roux and how is it used here?
A roux is a mixture of fat and flour. In this recipe, 2 tablespoons of melted butter are mixed with 2 tablespoons of flour and stirred into the meat mixture to thicken the sauce.
How should the potatoes be prepared for the topping?
You should use 2 lbs of potatoes that are cooked and mashed with butter until they are hot and fluffy.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (163°C) before baking the pie.
How long does the cottage pie need to bake?
The pie should be baked for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
How deep should the meat filling be in the baking pan?
The meat filling should be poured into a large shallow baking pan until it is approximately 1-1/2 inches deep.
When should the corn be added to the dish?
The corn is distributed evenly on top of the meat mixture in the baking pan just before the layer of mashed potatoes is added.
How do you get a golden crust on the potato topping?
After smoothing the mashed potatoes with a spatula, brush the surface with melted butter before putting it in the oven.
How many garlic cloves are used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves to be cooked with the meat and vegetables.
Can I use frozen corn for this recipe?
Yes, you can use 1.5 cups of either fresh or frozen corn for the vegetable layer.
How long do the vegetables need to cook in the skillet?
The onions, carrots, celery, and garlic should be cooked for about 10 minutes until tender and the onion is translucent.
What is the recommended serving size or count?
The raw data does not specify exact servings, but with 2 lbs of beef and 2 lbs of potatoes, it is intended for family gatherings.
Should the meat filling be hot or cool when put in the pan?
The instructions recommend allowing the meat filling to cool slightly after removing it from the heat before pouring it into the baking pan.
Is it necessary to drain the beef?
Yes, after browning the ground beef, you should drain any excess fat before adding the vegetables.
How much beef broth is required?
The recipe uses 8 ounces of beef broth to create the base of the gravy.
What should I serve with Irish Cottage Pie?
It can be enjoyed on its own or served with a side salad for a complete meal.
Can I adjust the salt and pepper levels?
Yes, the recipe specifies salt and pepper 'to taste,' and suggests checking for seasoning again after the gravy has thickened.
What are the dimensions of the baking pan needed?
A large shallow baking pan is required to allow the meat layer to be 1.5 inches deep and provide room for the potato topping.
Is this a traditional Irish recipe?
It is described as a twist on the classic Irish shepherd's pie, adapted for cottage pie using beef.
How much butter is used for the roux?
Two tablespoons of melted butter are used to make the roux for thickening the filling.
What is the primary texture of the potato topping?
The topping is a fluffy layer of buttery mashed potatoes with a satisfying golden crust.
How many ingredients are in this Hearty Irish Cottage Pie?
There are 13 total ingredients in this recipe.
Can the potatoes be prepared in advance?
The instructions call for hot mashed potatoes to be layered on top, so it is best to mash them shortly before assembly.
Does the filling need to boil?
Yes, after adding the beef broth, you should bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low for a few minutes.
How long should the pie rest after baking?
The recipe recommends letting the pie cool for a few minutes before serving to help the layers set.