This elevated Cottage Pie boasts a rich, savory mince filling topped with silky mashed potatoes
infused with nutmeg, cream, and butter.
Cottage pie is quite hearty, so it doesn’t really need to be served with a side dish. If you can’t bear to serve it alone, try it with a side salad or a vegetable side dish.
For a LOW CARB and KETO friendly Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage Pie variation see bottom of the recipe. (Hint , use Cauliflower Mash instead of Potato Mash)
Cottage Pie with Cheddar and Herb Crust
This elevated Cottage Pie boasts a rich, savory mince filling topped with silky mashed potatoes infused with nutmeg, cream, and butter.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 2 tbsps vegetable oil
- 1 large onion
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 500g ground beef (mince) (mince)
- ½ tsp dried thyme or fresh
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Bisto or similar gravy powder
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp beef stock
- ½ tsp black pepper
- salt to taste
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 800g potatoes peeled and quartered
- 4 tbsps unsalted butter
- ¼ cup cream or milk
- 1½ tsp grated nutmeg
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ tsp white pepper
Topping:
- 1 cup grated mature cheddar cheese
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
Prepare the Filling:
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the beef mince and cook until browned, about 6 minutes.Sprinkle the flour over the mince and stir well to coat. Gradually add water mixed with beef stock, stirring continuously.Add Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary (if using), and Bisto. Simmer over low heat for 20–25 minutes until the filling is rich and thickened. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Make the Mashed Potatoes:
- Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.Drain and mash the potatoes until smooth. Mix in butter, cream, nutmeg, white pepper, salt, and egg yolk until fluffy and well-combined.
Assemble the Cottage Pie:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F)
- Transfer the beef filling to a greased ovenproof dish, spreading it evenly.Spoonthe mashed potatoes over the filling, smoothing with a spatula or creating patterns with a fork for texture.
Add the Topping:
- Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes. Optionally, sprinkle with fresh parsley for added color and flavour
Bake and Serve:
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.Allow to cool slightly before serving. Pair with steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
Chef's Tip
- For an extra layer of flavour, consider adding a splash of red wine to the mince while simmering. The alcohol will cook off, leaving a rich, robust undertone!
Tasty variations for cottage pie that use cauliflower instead of potatoes for the topping:
Cauliflower Mash Topping:
- Ingredients: Cauliflower, butter, cream, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.Method: Steam or boil cauliflower until soft, then blend with butter, cream, garlic, and Parmesan. Spread over your seasoned beef or lamb filling and bake until golden.
Cauliflower and Broccoli Mash:
- Ingredients: Equal parts cauliflower and broccoli, olive oil, and nutritional yeast (optional for a cheesy flavour).Method: Blend steamed cauliflower and broccoli with olive oil, and spread over the filling. Top with breadcrumbs for added texture.
Low-Carb Herb Cauliflower:
- Ingredients: Cauliflower, cream cheese, dill, and parsley.Method: Blend cauliflower with cream cheese and fresh herbs for a fragrant topping. Bake until lightly browned.
Spiced Cauliflower Topping:
- Ingredients: Cauliflower, turmeric, cumin, and coconut milkMethod: Blend cauliflower with coconut milk and spices for an exotic, golden topping.
Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Swirl:
- Ingredients: Cauliflower and sweet potato (mashed separately), butter, and thyme.Method: Create a marbled effect by swirling the cauliflower and sweet potato mash together over the filling for a colorful twist.
