Hearty Sausage, Bacon, and Tomato Cottage Bake
Warm up your winter nights with this Hearty Sausage, Bacon, and Tomato Cottage Bake, a delicious and comforting one-dish meal that your whole family will love. This dish combines savory pork sausage and crispy back bacon with juicy tomatoes and aromatic onions, all enveloped in a creamy mashed potato topping. It's an easy and satisfying recipe that can be easily adapted with low-fat ingredients for a healthier alternative. Perfect for cozy family dinners, this dish is sure to become a winter favorite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pork sausage
1 lb (Cut into quarters after cooking.)
Back bacon
1 lb (Chopped.)
Tomatoes
2 large (Quartered.)
Onion
1 medium (Chopped.)
Beef bouillon cubes
2 (Crumble into the mixture.)
Mixed herbs
1 teaspoon (Added to the meat mixture.)
Potatoes
3 lbs (Peeled and chopped.)
Grated cheddar cheese
1 lb (For topping.)
Instructions
1
Peel and chop the potatoes into even-sized chunks, then place them in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
2
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned. Once cooked, cut each sausage into quarters and set aside.
3
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and bacon. Cook until the bacon is crispy and the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
4
Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet along with the crumbled beef bouillon cubes and mixed herbs. Stir to combine and let simmer for about 10 minutes. If the mixture appears dry, add a splash of water to create a bit of sauce.
5
Quarter the tomatoes and gently fold them into the sausage and bacon mixture. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6
Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them well and mash them until smooth, using butter or milk if desired for creaminess.
7
Transfer the sausage and bacon mixture into a large casserole or oven dish, spreading it out evenly.
8
Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top of the meat mixture, spreading it out to cover completely, similar to a shepherd's pie.
9
Place the dish in a preheated oven at 200°C (about 400°F) and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
10
Remove from the oven, sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese on top, and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11
Serve hot, either on its own or accompanied by your choice of vegetables.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty Sausage, Bacon, and Tomato Cottage Bake?
It is a comforting one-dish meal featuring savory pork sausage, crispy back bacon, and tomatoes topped with creamy mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese.
What are the main protein sources in this recipe?
The primary proteins are one pound of pork sausage and one pound of back bacon.
How many potatoes are needed for the topping?
The recipe requires 3 lbs of potatoes to create the mashed topping.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
One pound of grated cheddar cheese is used to top the bake.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 200°C or approximately 400°F.
How long do the potatoes need to boil?
Potatoes should be boiled for 15-20 minutes until they are tender.
How should the sausages be prepared?
The sausages should be browned in a skillet first, then cut into quarters before being mixed with other ingredients.
When are the tomatoes added to the dish?
Quartered tomatoes are folded into the sausage and bacon mixture after the meat has simmered with herbs for 10 minutes.
How long does the dish bake in the oven initially?
The dish is baked for 25-30 minutes until the mashed potato top is golden and crispy.
How long does the cheese take to melt on top?
After adding the cheese, the dish returns to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
What size onion is required?
The recipe calls for one medium-sized onion, chopped.
How many bouillon cubes are used for seasoning?
Two beef bouillon cubes are crumbled into the meat mixture.
What herbs are included in the recipe?
The recipe uses one teaspoon of mixed herbs.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Yes, the instructions specify to peel and chop the potatoes into even-sized chunks.
Can I make this recipe healthier?
Yes, the recipe can be easily adapted with low-fat ingredients for a healthier alternative.
How do I prevent the meat mixture from being too dry?
If the mixture appears dry while simmering, you can add a splash of water to create a bit of sauce.
What is the best way to mash the potatoes?
Drain the potatoes well and mash them until smooth, adding butter or milk if you prefer more creaminess.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a family-friendly winter favorite that the whole family will love.
What should I serve with this cottage bake?
It can be served on its own or accompanied by your choice of side vegetables.
How many tomatoes do I need?
The recipe requires two large tomatoes.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is categorized as a convenient and satisfying one-dish meal.
How long do the bacon and onion cook?
They should be cooked together for about 5-7 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the onion is translucent.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
While the exact serving count isn't specified, the ingredient quantities (4 lbs of meat and potatoes) suggest it serves a large family.
What style of bacon is recommended?
The recipe specifically calls for back bacon.
Does this dish resemble shepherd's pie?
Yes, it is layered similarly to a shepherd's pie with meat on the bottom and mashed potatoes on top.
How do I prepare the tomatoes?
The tomatoes should be quartered before being added to the skillet.
What kind of bouillon is used?
The recipe specifies beef bouillon cubes for a savory flavor.
Can I prepare the meat in the same skillet as the bacon?
Yes, the recipe suggests using the same skillet for the sausages, then the onion and bacon to build flavor.
Is this a good recipe for winter?
Yes, it is specifically noted as a hearty dish perfect for warming up winter nights.
What is the total amount of meat used?
The recipe uses two pounds of meat in total: one pound of sausage and one pound of bacon.