Description
Ina Garten’s Cottage Pie is a savory dish made with seasoned ground beef cooked with onions, carrots, and peas, then simmered in a flavorful gravy. It’s topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked to perfection. Cottage pie is the perfect make-ahead meal that you can enjoy any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups mashed potatoes (prepared separately)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for mashed potatoes)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
- Cook the onions and carrots: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and diced carrots, and cook for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
- Add garlic and beef: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Then, add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Step 2: Make the Gravy
- Add tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, cooking for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in the beef broth and fresh thyme. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens slightly.
- Add peas and season: Stir in the frozen peas, then season the filling with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Mashed Potatoes
- Make mashed potatoes: While the filling is simmering, prepare mashed potatoes by boiling peeled potatoes until tender. Drain, then mash with butter, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. (You can also use leftover mashed potatoes for this step.)
Step 4: Assemble the Cottage Pie
- Layer the beef mixture: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the beef mixture into a large baking dish or casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Top with mashed potatoes: Spoon the mashed potatoes over the beef filling, spreading it evenly with a spatula. For added texture, use a fork to create ridges on the surface of the mashed potatoes.
- Optional: Add Parmesan: If desired, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the mashed potatoes for a golden, crispy topping.
Step 5: Bake the Cottage Pie
- Bake: Place the assembled cottage pie in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Broil for extra crispiness (optional): For a crispier topping, broil the pie for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Step 6: Serve
- Let it rest and serve: Allow the cottage pie to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme, if desired, and serve warm.