Cottage Pie – Ground Beef and Mashed Potatoes
This Cottage Pie recipe with ground beef and mashed potatoes epitomizes comfort food. Seasoned ground beef, mixed with vegetables and herbs, is topped with creamy mashed potatoes, creating a hearty and flavorful dish. Baked until golden and bubbly, this classic combination will warm both body and soul with every bite.
Ground beef and mashed potatoes, aka cottage pie, is a classic comfort food combination that never fails to satisfy. The rich, savory flavor of the seasoned ground beef pairs perfectly with the creamy, buttery mashed potatoes, creating a hearty and comforting dish.
This dish is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. You can serve it as a cozy weeknight dinner, a comforting meal for a crowd, or even as a special dish for a holiday celebration. No matter the occasion, ground beef and mashed potatoes baked together are sure to please everyone at the table.
Why is this the best cottage pie recipe?
- Flavorful Combination: The combination of ground beef, sausage meat, vegetables, and herbs creates a flavorful and satisfying dish.
- Comforting and Hearty: Mashed potatoes on top provide a comforting and hearty element, perfect for a cozy meal.
- Versatile: This dish can be easily adapted to suit different tastes and dietary needs by using alternative ingredients or adjusting seasonings.
- Easy to Make: While it involves several steps, the recipe is straightforward and can be made in one pot for easy cleanup.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Ground Beef and Sausage Meat: Provide protein and flavor to the dish. You can also use ground turkey, chicken, or pork instead.
- Onion, Carrots, Celery, Garlic: Add flavor, aroma, and texture to the dish. Use other aromatic vegetables like leeks, shallots, or bell peppers.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Provide a rich tomato flavor and sauce base. You can also use tomato sauce or diced tomatoes.
- Parsley and Thyme: Add herbal notes and freshness. You can also use other herbs like rosemary or oregano.
- Beef Broth: Enhances the savory flavors in the dish. You can also use vegetable broth or water with a bouillon cube.
- Mashed Potatoes: Act as a hearty, creamy topping. You can use sweet potatoes or cauliflower mash for a lower-carb option.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a savory, umami flavor and helps create a golden crust. You can also use Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
- Breadcrumbs: Provide a crispy, textured topping. You can use crushed crackers, panko breadcrumbs, or almond flour for a gluten-free option.
Step-by-step: Cottage Pie
Mashed potatoes
- Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover them with water. Add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes or until they are fork-tender. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Add the butter to the pot and mash the potatoes using a potato masher until smooth. Gradually add the milk or cream, stirring until the desired consistency is reached. Add more milk or cream if needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir until well combined.
Ground beef
- In a skillet or cast-iron skillet, add the oil. Sauté the onions, carrots, and celery until almost tender. Add the ground beef and sausage meat. Sauté until no longer pink, breaking the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks.
- Then, add the garlic and crushed tomatoes. Followed by the parsley and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cook on low for 8 minutes. Then, add stock or water and cook a minute more. Set aside until ready to assemble.
Assemble
- Preheat your oven to 375°F / 190°C / Gas mark 5.
- Transfer the ground beef mixture to a baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes over the meat mixture in an even layer. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and cheddar over the mashed potatoes.
- Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Versatile and Flavorful: Ground Beef Recipes You’ll Love
- Crustless Swiss Chard Quiche
- Perfect Mashed Potatoes
- Luxurious Comfort: Creamy Chicken in White Sauce Recipe
- Comfort in a Crust: Chicken Pot Pie with Pie Crust Recipe
Frequently asked questions
A ground meat pie will keep in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to a month.
Yes, you can prepare the ground beef mixture and mashed potatoes ahead of time and assemble the dish when you’re ready to bake it. Store them separately in the refrigerator, then layer them in a baking dish and bake as directed.
Yes, you can use different types of ground meat, such as turkey, chicken, or pork, instead of the ground beef and sausage. Just make sure to adjust the seasonings to suit the meat you’re using.
Yes, you can make a vegetarian version of this dish by omitting the meat and using a mix of vegetables, such as mushrooms, lentils, or tofu, as a substitute. You can also add extra herbs and spices for flavor.
This pie has meat and potatoes in it, so it’s pretty much a complete meal. A side salad would be a great addition, of course. Try my cabbage salad, carrot salad, celery salad, or tomato mozzarella salad.
Cottage Pie – Ground Beef with Mashed Potatoes
This Cottage Pie recipe with ground beef and mashed potatoes epitomizes comfort food. Seasoned ground beef, mixed with vegetables and herbs, is topped with creamy mashed potatoes, creating a hearty and flavorful dish. Baked until golden and bubbly, this classic combination will warm both body and soul with every bite.
Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) Ground beef
- 4 oz (113 g) Sausage meat or 2 slices of bacon
- 2 tbsp Olive oil or cooking oil
- 1 large Onions finely diced
- 2 large Carrots peeled and diced
- 2 large Celery sticks finely diced
- 3 large Garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 can Tomatoes crushed
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1½ tsp Black pepper
- ½ cup Parsley or cilantro
- 1 tbsp Thyme fresh
- ½ cup Stock or broth
- 2 lbs (900 g) Potatoes russet or Yukon gold
- ¼ cup (60 g) Butter
- ⅓ cup Whole milk
- ½ cup (60 g) Cheddar grated
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan grated
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Pepper
- ¼ cup (25 g) Parmesan
- ½ cup (55 g) Cheddar
Method
- Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover them with water. Add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes or until they are fork-tender. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.2 lbs Potatoes
- Add the butter to the pot and mash the potatoes using a potato masher until smooth. Gradually add the milk or cream, stirring until the desired consistency is reached. Add more milk or cream if needed. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and stir until well combined.¼ cup Butter, ½ cup Cheddar, ½ cup Parmesan, 1 tsp Salt, ½ tsp Pepper, ⅓ cup Whole milk
- In a skillet or cast-iron skillet, add the oil. Saute the onions, carrots, and celery until almost tender. Add the ground beef and sausage meat. Saute until no longer pink, making sure to break the meat into smaller pieces.1 lb Ground beef, 2 tbsp Olive oil, 1 large Onions, 2 large Carrots, 2 large Celery sticks, 4 oz Sausage meat
- Then, add the garlic and crushed tomatoes. Followed by the parsley and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cook on low for 8 minutes. Then, add stock or water and cook a minute more. Set aside until ready to assemble.3 large Garlic cloves, 1 can Tomatoes crushed, ½ tsp Salt, 1½ tsp Black pepper, ½ cup Parsley, 1 tbsp Thyme, ½ cup Stock or broth
- Preheat your oven to 375°F / 190°C / Gas mark 5.
- Transfer the ground beef mixture to a baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes over the meat mixture in an even layer. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and cheddar over the mashed potatoes.¼ cup Parmesan, ½ cup Cheddar
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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Delicious ground beef topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Way to win everyone’s heart in my family. Kids loved it so much that they said I should make it more often. It’s now been added to our family meal rotations.
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback. I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe.
This is so delicious! Perfect comfort food for this weather.
Thank yo so much Sonia
Such an easy recipe and quick too. Made this over the weekend and the kids loved it. Perfect for this cold weather
Thanks
Thank you, Clay, Yes, it is great for these colder months.
This is great – thank you for all the make-ahead tips. It makes weeknight meals much easier!
Absolutely, Sue. Thanks
Love cottage pie! This recipe is simply perfection! Will definitely be on rotation in my house. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you, Angela. Let me know how it was.
You can’t beat classic comforting cottage pie. We ate this a lot when I was a kid.
Yes, the classics always remind me of my childhood too Dannii
A great dish and so easy to make, a few family favourite.
Thank you, Sisley
You had me at ground beef and mashed potatoes. This looks so good and I can’t wait to try this.
Thank you, Ryan.