Cottage Pie
A comforting, family-friendly cottage pie made with beef, vegetables and a creamy mashed potato topping.
Servings 4 serves
Ingredients
- ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 brown onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 carrot thinly sliced
- 500 g lean beef mince
- 400 g diced Italian tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 beef stock cube crumbled
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 600 g potatoes peeled and chopped
- 2 tbsp milk
- 20 g butter
- 50 g mozzarella cheese shredded
- 20 g Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Peel and chop the potatoes into small, even pieces. Add to the pot and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until soft.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the carrots and cook for 3–4 minutes, until starting to soften.
- Add the beef mince and cook, breaking it up as you go, until browned.
- Add the diced tomatoes, beef stock, crumbled stock cube, Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened to a gravy-like consistency.
- While the beef mixture is simmering, drain the potatoes and mash with the butter and milk until smooth.
- Preheat the grill to high. Transfer the beef mixture to a large ovenproof dish and spread the mashed potato evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the shredded cheese and Parmesan.
- Place under the grill for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden. Keep a close eye on it as it can brown quickly. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
UPF-Friendly Swaps
To keep this recipe closer to minimally processed foods, choose:
To keep this recipe closer to minimally processed foods, choose:
- Beef stock: Choose a stock with a simple ingredient list and no added flavour enhancers where possible, or use homemade beef stock.
- Diced Italian tomatoes: Choose canned tomatoes with just tomatoes and salt, or tomatoes with the fewest added ingredients.
- Worcestershire sauce: Look for a version with a simple ingredient list and minimal added sugar and additives.
- Cheese: Choose block cheese that you grate yourself rather than pre-shredded cheese, where practical.
- Butter and milk: Choose plain butter and regular milk without unnecessary added ingredients.