This hearty Cottage Pie brings comfort food to a whole new level, combining savory ground meat and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Perfect for feeding a crowd, this classic dish takes 90 minutes from start to finish but delivers an impressive 589 calories per serving.
Each forkful offers the perfect balance of protein (30g) and carbohydrates (41g), making it an ideal choice for a satisfying family dinner. The golden-brown potato crust and rich filling underneath create an irresistible combination that’s worth every minute of preparation.
Ingredient List for Hearty Cottage Pie
- Meat Base: 1 lb each of lean ground beef and ground sausage for a rich, flavorful foundation
- Fresh Vegetables: Yellow onion, celery, carrots, and garlic – creates an aromatic base
- Sauce Elements: Beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce – builds depth of flavor
- Seasonings: Fresh thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and pepper for perfect seasoning
- Frozen Vegetables: ½ cup each of corn and peas add color and nutrition
- Potato Topping: 2.5 lbs potatoes, butter, sour cream, milk, and two types of cheese for creamy finish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Potato Preparation: Boil potatoes until tender, about 12-15 minutes, then steam briefly for perfect texture
- Mashing Magic: Combine potatoes with butter, sour cream, milk, and Parmesan for creamy goodness
- Meat Base: Brown meats in a large skillet, season well, and set aside
- Vegetable Sauté: Cook onion, celery, and carrots until tender, then add garlic and flour
- Gravy Creation: Combine broth, seasonings, and herbs, simmer until thickened
- Assembly: Layer meat mixture, add frozen vegetables, top with mashed potatoes and cheddar
- Baking: Cook at 375°F for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling
- Final Touch: Let rest for 15 minutes before serving for perfect texture
Make-Ahead Tips
Want to prep this cozy cottage pie in advance? You can make both the meat filling and mashed potatoes up to 2 days before. Keep them separate in the fridge, then assemble and bake when you’re ready. The assembled pie can also be frozen for up to 3 months – just add an extra 15-20 minutes to the baking time when cooking from frozen.
Cooking Success Tips
Here’s the secret to perfect cottage pie: don’t overwork those potatoes! Mash them gently while they’re still hot, and mix in the butter and dairy just until smooth.
For the meat filling, let it simmer until it’s nice and thick – this stops the potatoes from sinking. And that 15-minute rest after baking? It’s not just for show – it helps the filling set up beautifully for serving.
Simple Swaps
This recipe is super flexible! Switch up the meat by using all beef or all pork, or try ground turkey for a lighter version. No fresh herbs? Use dried ones – just remember to use 1/4 of the amount.
Sweet potatoes can replace regular potatoes for a colorful twist, and any frozen veggie mix will work great in the filling. Just keep the total amount of veggies about the same.
Serving Ideas
This hearty pie is a meal on its own, but a simple green salad on the side adds a fresh touch. Want to make it extra special? Serve with warm, crusty bread for soaking up every bit of that tasty gravy. For drinks, a cold beer or glass of red wine pairs wonderfully with these rich, savory flavors.
Storing & Reheating
Your cottage pie will stay yummy in the fridge for 3-5 days. To reheat, pop individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or warm the whole pie in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes until hot through. The flavors often get even better the next day!
Cottage Pie
Equipment
- 12 inch skillet
- Potato masher
- Saucepan
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb ground sausage I use Jimmy Dean pork sausage
For the mashed potatoes
- 2 1/2 pounds Russet potatoes or Yukon gold
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Make mashed potatoes: Add potatoes to a saucepan with 3 inches of water. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook until fork tender, about 12-15 minutes.
- Drain the water and leave the potatoes in the pot. Cover with the lid and allow to steam for a few minutes.
