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British/Irish · Dinner

Beef Cottage Pie

Non-vegEasy

Diet: Non-veg · High-protein

Beef Cottage Pie is a British/Irish dish. Reduce the beef sauce so the potato topping stays above it.

Prep
30 min
Cook
65 min
Rest, soak, marinate or chill
10 min
Total
105 min
Servings
6
Difficulty
Easy
Cuisine
British/Irish
Course
Dinner

Estimated times for the original batch. Preparation, cooking and listed waiting time are included. Batch cooking can take longer.

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Representative photograph of Beef Cottage Pie. The photograph includes separate side vegetables not included in this recipe.
The photograph includes separate side vegetables not included in this recipe. Representative photograph of Beef Cottage Pie. Garnishes and presentation may differ. Photo credit and licence
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Ingredients

Metric weights use grams. US weights use ounces; liquids use fluid ounces. Conversions are rounded. Spoon measures use 5 ml teaspoons and 15 ml tablespoons; cups use 240 ml.

Serves 6

Filling

Mash

Equipment

Kitchen scales; measuring jug and spoons; knife; cutting board; mixing bowls; oven; baking tray; oven gloves; saucepan with lid; sieve; food thermometer; heatproof spoon; spatula.

Check all product labels and cross-contact. Diet groups describe this listed recipe, not every substitution.

Steps

Filling · About 20 min

  1. Brown beef and onion in oil from 30 ml neutral oil, 700 g minced beef, 200 g onion, chopped, 200 g carrots, diced, 30 g tomato paste, 30 g plain flour, 500 ml beef stock, 1 tsp thyme, ¾ tsp salt 10 minutes. Add carrots, paste and flour, then stock and seasoning; simmer 20 minutes.

Mash · About 20 min

  1. Boil potatoes from 1200 g potatoes, peeled and cubed, 2000 ml water, 80 g butter, 150 ml milk, ½ tsp salt in water 20 minutes, drain and mash with butter, milk and salt.

Bake · About 30 min

  1. Spread filling in a dish, top with mash and bake at 200°C / 400°F for 25–30 minutes until centre reaches 74°C / 165°F. Rest 10 minutes.

    Check: Look for this result: centre reaches 74°C / 165°F.

Tips

  • Reduce the beef sauce so the potato topping stays above it.
  • Judge Beef Cottage Pie by the texture and doneness signs in its steps. Your pan and heat affect how long Beef Cottage Pie takes to cook.

Substitutions

  • Use peas instead of some carrots.

Storage

  • Get perishable Beef Cottage Pie into the fridge within two hours, or within one hour above 32°C / 90°F. Eat Beef Cottage Pie within two days, keeping it covered at 4°C / 40°F or colder.
  • Bring cooked Beef Cottage Pie to 74°C / 165°F, stirring or turning it for even heating. When Beef Cottage Pie is part of the meal, serve cold salads, dips and chilled desserts straight from safe refrigeration.
  • If Beef Cottage Pie includes a thick sauce or soup, loosen it with a little water during gentle reheating. Any crisp coating on Beef Cottage Pie becomes softer in storage.

Make ahead

  • Prepare the measured ingredients for Beef Cottage Pie one day ahead. For Beef Cottage Pie, refrigerate chopped vegetables apart from the other perishable ingredients. Follow the cooking stages for Beef Cottage Pie on the day of serving.

FAQ

What matters most when making Beef Cottage Pie?

Reduce the beef sauce so the potato topping stays above it.

What can I substitute in Beef Cottage Pie?

Use peas instead of some carrots.

Can I prepare Beef Cottage Pie ahead?

Prepare the measured ingredients for Beef Cottage Pie one day ahead. For Beef Cottage Pie, refrigerate chopped vegetables apart from the other perishable ingredients. Follow the cooking stages for Beef Cottage Pie on the day of serving.

Food safety references

FoodSafety.gov: cooking temperatures · Food Standards Agency: rice storage and reheating

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