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Cozy Cottage Pie with Beef

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A classic, hearty comfort food featuring a rich beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Perfect for cozy family dinners and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth (low sodium)
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and chopped (Yukon Gold or Russet)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place peeled and chopped potatoes into a medium saucepan, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes until tender.
  3. Drain potatoes well and return to pot. Add butter, cream (or milk), minced garlic if using, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
  4. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and carrots, cooking for about 5 minutes until softened.
  5. Add minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
  6. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned all over, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  7. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavors.
  8. Pour in beef broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes until mixture thickens slightly. Stir in peas during the last 2 minutes.
  9. Transfer beef mixture to an oven-safe baking dish, spreading evenly.
  10. Top with mashed potatoes, smoothing with a spatula. For a rustic finish, rough up the top with a fork to create peaks.
  11. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until top is golden and filling bubbles around edges.
  12. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Brown the beef properly for deep flavor and drain excess fat to avoid greasiness. Warm potatoes slightly before mashing for smoother texture. Cover with foil if potatoes brown too quickly during baking. Can swap beef for lamb, turkey, or vegetarian options like lentils or mushrooms. Sweet potatoes can replace regular potatoes for a twist. Use fresh herbs when possible for brighter flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: cottage pie, beef pie, comfort food, mashed potatoes, hearty dinner, easy recipe, family meal

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/cozy-cottage-pie-with-beef-recipe-easy-hearty-classic-comfort-food/