A comforting and simple cottage pie recipe. Once you try Mum’s Traditional Cottage Pie you won’t have it any other way!
A good traditional cottage pie (not to be confused with a traditional shepherd’s pie) was, is and always will be one of my favourite dinners. Ugh, just the smell of it sends me back to being a young piglet, staring into the oven waiting to devour it.
Traditional Cottage Pie
Still to this day, the ingredients for cottage pie make it in my weekly shopping basket. It’s just one of those easy rotation dinners that you know is going to leave everyone hobbling away from the table because they’re so full. Which is usually my aim with anything I make, but cottage pie is the perfect dish to do that.
First things first, before we get into anything, let’s address the elephant in the room:
What is the difference between shepherds pie and cottage pie?
Traditional in Britain, a Cottage Pie referred to a beef layer topped with slices of potato (recreating the tiles of a cottage) and a shepherds pie referred to a lamb layer with mash on top. In recent times the difference has become slightly blurred, where cottage and shepherds just simply distinguish whether the meat is beef or lamb, regardless of the type of potato on top. Now through personal experience, those in the US don’t use the term ‘cottage pie’ and refer to it as a shepherds pie.
And now you’re more confused than before right? Essentially Shepherd’s Pie = lamb and Cottage pie = Beef.
Cottage Pie Layers
- Beef layer – the heart and soul of a cottage pie is a rich and flavoursome ground beef layer.
- Potato layer – mashed potato plonked straight on top of the beef.
- Cheese layer – rule number 1 of cottage pie club – there must be cheese. Because cheesy mash > plain mash.
Tips for making the best Cottage Pie recipe in the world
Yes, you’re reading this right, this truly is the best cottage pie in the world. Accurately measured of course, not just me blowing my own trumpet
‘So what makes your mum’s cottage pie so damn special ey!?’
Very valid question by this point Alongside the secret weapon of the gravy granules, here are a couple more tips that were passed down from Mum:
- Depth of flavour – Alongside the gravy granules, a good helping of Worcestershire sauce and red wine gives this cottage pie a delicious depth of flavour, enhancing those gorgeous beefy flavours.
- Time – ‘Is it ready yet?’ ‘how much longer?’ ‘I’m hungry!’. Yep, you’re gonna hear a lot of that, but boy it’ll be worth it. Remember, there’s no such thing as a quick cottage pie! Allowing the beef to simmer will help marry the flavours together and tenderise the beef.
How do I stop the mash from sinking into the beef?
Firstly ensure your potatoes dry out a little before you mash them. Let some of that moisture escape, otherwise it’ll sink into the beef whilst cooking. The other tip is to let the beef layer cool before you top it with mash. Because no steam can escape when it’s baking (as it’s hidden under the mash) whatever the thickness of the beef before the oven will be the same on the other end. So, to avoid a watery base and in turn a sloppy mess, let the mince thicken before you top it with mash.
How do you thicken cottage pie?
Here’s the secret weapon to this recipe – Gravy Granules. Not only will gravy granules help along with the thickening, but they’re going to turn the mince layer into a beautifully rich gravy as well. Win-win! If you can’t get your hands on some quality beef gravy granules (I use Bisto), you can stir flour into the beef before you add the stock. This will help thicken the sauce, you just lose out on that extra layer of flavour.
Serving Cottage Pie
What do you serve with cottage pie?
A lot of the time I’ll serve it as it is. But more often than not, if I’m doing a side dish it’ll be one or a couple of these:
Can I freeze cottage pie?
Absolutely! You can either freeze it before or after baking. I’ve added more on this in the recipe card.
If you’re looking for another pie recipe be sure to check out my Homemade Shepherd’s Pie (or Spiced Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie, Chicken and Mushroom Pie and Chicken & Bacon Pie!
Also be sure to check out my Cottage Pie Baked Potatoes!
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this cottage pie shall we?!
How to make a Traditional Cottage Pie (Full Recipe & Video)
Mum's Traditional Cottage Pie
Equipment
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
- Large Deep Pan & Wooden Spoon (for filling)
- Large Pot, Colander & Potato Masher (for mash)
- Large Baking Dish
- Large Tray (to place dish on)
- Jug (for stock)
- Cheese Grater
Ingredients
Beef Layer:
- 1 large White Onion, finely diced
- 2 medium Carrots, finely diced
- 150g / 5oz Mushrooms, finely diced (I use chestnut mushrooms)
- 2 cloves Garlic, finely diced
- 1kg / 2.2lb Minced/Ground Beef (10-12% fat works great)
- 120ml / 1/2 cup Dry Red Wine (see notes)
- 600ml / 2 1/2 cups Beef Stock
- 4 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 heaped tbsp Gravy Granules (see notes)
- 1 tbsp Tomato Puree (Tomato Paste in US)
- 1 tsp Dried Thyme
- 1 tsp Dried Rosemary
- 1 Bay Leaf
- Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
- Olive Oil, as needed
Mashed Potato Layer:
- 2kg / 4.4lbs Baking Potatoes, peeled and diced into chunks
- 3-4 heaped tbsp Butter
- 1/4-1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 250g / 2 1/2 cups Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 120ml / 1/2 cup Cream or Whole Milk
- generous helpings of Salt & Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add a drizzle of oil to a large deep pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, mushrooms and garlic and sweat it all down until it softens and lightly colours. Add the beef and fry until fully browned, breaking it up with your wooden spoon as you go.
- Pour in the wine and simmer for a few minutes to allow the beef to soak in the flavour. Stir in the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, gravy granules, tomato puree, rosemary, thyme, bay leaf and a good pinch of salt & pepper. Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat to low and cook for 40-45 mins, or until the sauce reduces to a very thick gravy.
- Once the liquid has reduced, check for seasoning, then pour the beef into a large baking dish. Leave to cool for at least 15 minutes, preferably until it forms a thin skin over the top (prevents mash sinking in).
- Meanwhile, add the potatoes to a large pot of heavily salted cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are knife tender (10-15 mins). Drain and give them a shake, then leave them in the colander for 5 minutes to allow moisture to escape (watery potatoes = sloppy pie).
- Add the potatoes back to the pot and mash with the butter, milk/cream and half of the cheese, then season to taste with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Don't hold back on the salt & pepper! I typically use at least 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Preheat the oven to 200C/390F.
- Dollop by dollop, gently place the mash on top of the beef, then sprinkle over the rest of the cheese. Place in the oven for 25-30 mins, or until golden and crispy on top. Leave to rest for 5-10 mins to retain shape, then tuck in and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition
Looking for more?
You’ll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook ‘Comfy’
For another classic pie recipe check out my Fish Pie!
For more similar recipes check out these beauties too:
Comfort Food Dinner Ideas
Just made it! Amazing. Cheese is definitely an added dimension. I now have a go to recipe for shepherds (cottage pie) looking forward to the leftovers
That’s awesome news, Liz! Thanks for coming back and sharing your feedback. Enjoy leftovers 🙂
I always thought mine was the perfect cottage pie but since I never use a recipe and I needed to teach Huckleberry (my son) how to cook before he heads off to UNI. . . We used your mum’s recipe. Huck says they taste about the same. . . Only thing we changed was the wine. . . We added Guinness. And Huck followed a recipe. Great job to you both. You make your mums proud.
Lisa! That’s so fantastic to hear! I’ll have to try it with Guinness soon, I bet that gives such a gorgeous depth of flavour. Best of luck to Huck at uni 🙂
Hi Chris Mary Ann from Boston, MA -USA again — the largest ethnic groups here are Italian & Irish. I only recently discovered the Traditional Shepherds Pie we eat here ( traditionally supposed to be made with lamb) but most dumb Americans use hamburger, is actually Traditional English Cottage
Pie. I do want a definition of Gravy Granules? ?Beef bouillon? Or what. Using beef broth & red wine, instead of the ubitquitos Guiness Stout, sounds really tasty, l have broth concentrates for, beef,mushrooms, & onions they are LS & Vegan. I was wondering about using a slow-cooked brown butter roux. It has scads of flavor, bakes low & slow in the oven for 2° @ 225°F. Because it is so luscious, I would batch cook it then freeze in ice cube trays & stash cubes in a zipper freezer bag. It is simple to make. Equal amounts unsalted butter & flour( I use whole wheat) you can Sub some bacon cooking grease for some of the butter + opt garlic powder, onion powder, I would use some mushroom & onion soup base & some dried herbs. I batch cook & freeze. Justifies using the oven for 2 °. Comes out gorgeous brown, & very tasty. Convenient to have cubes in the freezer. Grab what you need when you need it . Takes about the same amount of time as your wonderful carmelized onions, no tending needed. Just set a timer so you don’t forget about it. I like to add thyme since I use baby Bella mushrooms & garlic in everything. You could also add fresh garlic then spread on bread, sprinkle with cheese for that American Appetizer Cheesy Garlic Bread. I note carrots & onions in the pie base, American’s add corn, peas +carrots & sometimes red bell peppers, no Idea why. Like the nutmeg in your real mashed potatoes(yum-Yum- YUM!!!) I use Plain.Soy Yogurt, strained in mine. I like adding a 16ounce bag of frozen mixed vegetables to mine, always pushing as many vegetables as possible, cheese sounds incredible, the nutmeg makes me think Swiss. If I use garlic mashed, a Vermont Sharp Cheddar. Just found a typical American Shepherd’s Pie using
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with brown sugar, or maple, or honey & Apple Pie or Pumpkin Pie or Allspice, or Gingerbread spice mix. With butter. On its own merits, I plan to try it, Nothing to lose.
Your Mum’s Cottage pie sounds great, looks so yummy, ❤️❤️ that’s a high 5.
ohhhhh, this is drool worthy! It’s basically the perfect comfort food dish. I wish it were more common in the US. But then again, for the sake of my dress size, perhaps it is good that it is not lol!
Oooo I feel ya! It’s certainly not one for the light hearted, but damn it’s worth it sometimes!
The perfect comfort food recipe! I’ve never heard of “cottage pie” before, but now I need to make it.
The perfect comfort food, you’re so right 🙂
I have been so craving something like this for weeks, literally! I really need to slow down, print this recipe, hop in my kitchen, and make this beauty…YUMMMM! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Bookmarking and sharing as well!
Amazing!! Hope you enjoy, Traci 🙂
So savory and comforting! Love it 🙂
Thanks, Amanda! 🙂
This is some amazing looking comfort food, can’t wait to try it!
Enjoy, Sara!! 🙂
Yum!
A “leftovers” version of this is great for the day after your friends didn’t turn up to the over catered dinner party!
Mince every bit of cooked red meat you can find (secret ingredient is fresh corned beef, not tinned), the flavours combine well, add in your saute’d veges (to taste), and dig up that bottle of home-made tomato ketchup you pinched from grandma as your fluid mush it all together and top it as per above.
You don’t need the herbs as the corned beef and the ketchup bring a sweet, tart, hot (lots of cayenne in the K) and pimento/mustard tomato profile. Sound boring but works a treat!
Sorry for the waffle!
mmmmm that really sounds delicious Mark! If I ever try the leftovers addition I’ll certainly let you know 🙂
This looks and sounds delicious.
Thanks Brian 🙂