Go Back
–+ servings
Print

Ground Beef Shepherd’s Pie (Cottage Pie)

Course Main Course
Cuisine British
Keyword baked, beef, comfort food, cottage pie, dinner, mashed potatoes, pub, shepherd's pie
Servings 4 people
Author Lokness

Ingredients

  • ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 1 ½ small carrots (diced)
  • 1 celery stalk (diced)
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1½ tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% fat)
  • 2½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ⅓ cup low sodium beef stock
  • ¾ cup frozen peas
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt
  • ground black pepper

Mashed Potatoes:

  • 1½ red potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds) (peeled and quartered)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 cup whole milk (warmed)
  • salt
  • ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C).
  • Cut the potatoes into quarters and place them in a large pot. Fill the pot with cold water that reach 1-inch above the potatoes. Season the water with salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, and cook the potatoes for about 30 - 40 minutes until fork tender. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher. Add the butter, minced garlic and half of warm milk. Adjust with more milk until the mashed potatoes is the right consistency. Season with salt and pepper to your own taste. Set aside.
  • In the meantime, in a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter and oil. Add onions and sauté for 2 minutes. Add carrots and celery and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 more seconds. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce and beef stock. Season with salt and pepper and adjust. Cook and simmer for another 5 minutes. Add the peas and mix evenly. Cook for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust with more Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper if needed.
  • Transfer everything to an ovenproof baking dish and spread evenly. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the meat mixture and spread to cover everything. Top the mashed potatoes with Parmesan cheese. Place the baking dish on a baking sheet. Cook in the oven for 15 minutes, then place the dish under the broiler to brown the top, about 5 minutes. Serve hot.

Notes

  1. I prefer to make the mashed potatoes less thick in this recipe, because it is easier to spread over the meat mixture. You can adjust the thickness with milk.
  2. To brown the mashed potatoes better, you can use a fork to make some peaks on top.
(Adapted from Danny Boome via Foodnetwork)