Cottage Pie
Cowbridge Kitchen
About This Recipe
A Cottage Pie is similar to a Shepherd's pie in that both are made with minced meat and topped with mashed potato. This traditional Cottage Pie recipe is made with minced Beef and is just a meat pie packed with vegetables in a rich beef gravy.
A Cottage pie is packed with everything you need, Potatoes, Meat and Vegetables and so can be served on its own, but I like to serve this with homemade thick cut chips.
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Cottage pie, a beloved dish with deep roots in British cuisine, has a history that dates back to the late 18th century.
Originally, it was a way for families to make use of leftover meat, typically beef, combined with vegetables and topped with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes. The term "cottage pie" was first recorded in 1791, and it was named for the humble cottages of rural workers who would prepare this hearty meal.
Over the years, the dish evolved, with variations popping up across the UK and beyond, often incorporating different types of meat, such as lamb, which is more commonly referred to as shepherd's pie. The simplicity and comfort of cottage pie have made it a staple in many households, embodying the essence of home-cooked meals.
Today, it remains a popular choice in pubs and restaurants, celebrated for its rich flavors and satisfying texture, while also serving as a reminder of the resourcefulness of past generations in making the most of their ingredients.
1hr Prep.
1hr Cooking time.
Time
This is per serving
Calories: 562
Protein: 23.4g
Fat: 32.4g
Carbohydrates: 40.6g
Fiber: 6.1g
Sugar: 4.3g
Nutrition
Servings
Difficulty
Cottage pie is made with Beef, Shepherds pie is made with Lamb.
Cost to make:
£3.25 / $4.09(Est.)
Equipment:
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How to Make Cottage Pie
The origins of the Cottage Pie are at best questionable , most probably English. It is a dish created by folks of limited income and means.
The word 'Cottage' refers to the poor house and ' Pie' is generally a dish that uses up left over ingredients, so it is a great money saving recipe.
Of course in todays modern world the humble Cottage pie and its rival , 'Shepherd's Pie' have found their way into our hearts as a winter comfort food, a meat pie packed with vegetables and it is a firm family favoritie.
Cuisine:British
ingredients
1 Brown onion
1 Carrot
50 g Peas
2 Beef stock cube
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
350 ml Hot water
50 ml Red Wine
60 g Beef Dripping (Fat)
50 g Plain flour
Cooking Instructions
- Dice the onion and carrot and set aside.
- Add the Peas and diced Carrots to a pan of boiling water and simmer for about 10 min’s.
- Add 50 g beef fat to a large frying pan .
- Cook the onions in the fat for about 5 minutes.
- When the Onions are soft add the minced beef to the pan and mix it up with the onions and cook until it is brown, 15 min
- Make up 400 ml of Beef stock using the stock cubes and Black Pepper, then add the Red Wine to the stock so that you have 450 ml of stock.
- When the Beef is cooked add the flour to make a Roux.
- Add the beef stock to the pan to form a thick gravy. If the gravy is too thick you can add a bit more water.
- Add the cooked vegetables, then reduce for around 15 minutes. Cool down in the fridge for 1 hour.
- While the beef is cooling, make some mash potato with about 4 medium spuds.
- With the mash still hot , add the minced beef filling to an ovenproof dish , then top with the mash potato, spreading it lightly with the back of a fork.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180c for 40 minutes or until the mash is golden brown.
I like to cover this with cheese and melt it under the grill to give it a crispy topping.
