Description of this Recipe
Cottage Pie with Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for chilly evenings or a cozy family gathering. This recipe takes the classic cottage pie, traditionally made with ground beef and a mashed potato topping, and elevates it with the addition of Parmesan cheese both in the mashed potato topping and sprinkled on top before baking. The result is a deeply flavorful, rich, and comforting meal that will warm you from the inside out. It is the perfect combination of savory meat filling and fluffy, cheesy mashed potatoes, baked to golden perfection.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Cottage Pie with Cheese recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for several reasons:
- Comforting and Hearty: This dish is the definition of comfort food. The combination of savory ground beef and creamy mashed potatoes creates a satisfying and warming meal that is perfect for a chilly day.
- Flavorful: From the deeply browned beef to the aromatic vegetables and herbs in the filling, and the cheesy goodness in the mashed potatoes, every bite is packed with flavor. The Worcestershire sauce adds a delightful umami depth that enhances the overall taste profile.
- Easy to Make: Despite its impressive taste, this recipe is surprisingly simple to make. With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, it’s a dish that even beginner cooks can confidently tackle.
- Versatile: This recipe is incredibly adaptable. You can easily adjust the vegetables in the filling, the type of cheese used, or even add a touch of spice to suit your personal preferences. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!
- Great for Meal Prep: Cottage Pie with Cheese is an excellent dish to prepare ahead of time. You can assemble the entire pie and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake it, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights.
- Kid-Friendly: Even picky eaters will enjoy this dish. The familiar flavors and textures of ground beef and mashed potatoes are always a hit with kids.
Ingredients:
Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 ¾ teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper, divided
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped (about one cup)
- 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped (about ¾ cup)
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
Mashed Potato Topping:
- 3 pounds potatoes (I prefer russet potatoes), peeled and chopped
- 1 stick of softened butter (½ cup), divided
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream, warmed in the microwave or on the stove
- ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
Optional garnish: 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Preparing the oven in advance ensures it’s at the optimal temperature for even cooking and baking, which is crucial for a golden-brown, perfectly cooked pie.
Step 2: In a large pot, add 3 ½ quarts of water and bring to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and potatoes and cook the potatoes until completely soft in the middle (about 20 minutes) so they will be smoother when mashed. Adding salt to the water seasons the potatoes from the inside out, enhancing their flavor. Cooking the potatoes until they are completely soft is crucial for achieving a smooth and creamy mashed potato topping. Slightly undercooked potatoes will result in a lumpy and less appealing topping.
Step 3: While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the meat filling. In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven pot, over medium heat, cook the ground beef in the olive oil, breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks, for 5-7 minutes until browned. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside. Drain any remaining grease. The olive oil prevents the beef from sticking to the pot and adds a subtle richness. Browning the beef is essential for developing a deep, savory flavor. Removing the excess grease ensures that the filling isn’t too greasy and heavy.
Step 4: In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and carrot, and cook for 5 minutes until the onion becomes softened and starts to look translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt. The butter adds richness and flavor to the vegetable base. Cooking the onions and carrots until softened releases their natural sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the filling. Adding the garlic towards the end of the sautéing process prevents it from burning and becoming bitter.
Step 5: Add the tomato paste to the vegetables and stir until incorporated. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step is important for caramelizing the tomato paste, which deepens its flavor and adds complexity to the filling. Stirring prevents the tomato paste from sticking and burning.
Step 6: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetable mixture and stir to remove any lumps. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. The flour acts as a thickening agent, helping to bind the filling ingredients together and create a richer sauce. Cooking the flour removes the raw flour taste and ensures that it blends smoothly into the filling.
Step 7: Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, frozen peas, 1 teaspoon salt, ¾ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper, and dried thyme to the pot. Return the browned beef to the pot and stir to combine. Simmer for 15 minutes. The beef broth provides moisture and adds depth of flavor to the filling. The Worcestershire sauce adds a delightful umami note that enhances the overall taste profile. The frozen peas add a touch of sweetness and freshness to the filling. Simmering the mixture allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Step 8: While the beef mixture simmers, drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot to mash. Add 6 tablespoons of softened butter, ½ cup of warmed heavy whipping cream, ½ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese, ¾ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Mash and stir until completely incorporated. Using softened butter ensures that it blends smoothly into the mashed potatoes. Warming the heavy cream prevents it from cooling down the potatoes too quickly and helps to create a creamier texture. The Parmesan cheese adds a delicious cheesy flavor to the mashed potatoes.
Step 9: If your skillet or Dutch oven is oven proof, spread the mashed potatoes gently and evenly over the top of the beef filling. Alternatively, you can pour the filling into a 9×13 inch casserole dish and top with the mashed potatoes if you prefer. Spreading the mashed potatoes evenly ensures that each serving has a perfect balance of filling and topping.
Step 10: If desired, you can use a fork to create a design in the mashed potatoes by dragging the fork through the potatoes. In a small bowl, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle it over the top of the mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese. Creating a design in the mashed potatoes adds a touch of visual appeal to the dish. Drizzling melted butter over the top adds richness and helps the mashed potatoes to brown in the oven. The additional Parmesan cheese adds a cheesy crust.
Step 11: Place the cottage pie in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the mashed potatoes are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Baking the cottage pie allows the flavors to meld together and the mashed potatoes to brown and become slightly crispy.
Step 12: Let the cottage pie rest for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with finely chopped parsley, if desired. Allowing the cottage pie to rest before serving allows the filling to set slightly and prevents it from being too runny. The fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a touch of freshness to the dish.
COOKING Rating:
Easy to Medium
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the Cottage Pie with Cheese as a main course for dinner.
- Pair it with a side salad for a light and refreshing complement to the rich pie.
- Serve with steamed green beans or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Offer a crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Tips:
- For an even richer flavor, use bone-in beef chuck roast and slow cook it in the beef broth until it is tender enough to shred. Then use the shredded beef in place of ground beef.
- If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use milk or half-and-half, but the mashed potatoes may not be as creamy.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to the filling, such as mushrooms, celery, or bell peppers.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with lentils or a plant-based ground meat substitute.
- To add a touch of spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling.
- Make sure to fully cook the potatoes so they will mash.
Prep Time:
30 minutes
Cook Time:
1 hour
Total Time:
1 hour 30 minutes
Nutritional Information:
(Estimates will vary based on specific ingredients and serving size)
Calories:
Approximately 550-650 per serving
Protein:
Approximately 30-40 grams per serving
Sodium:
Approximately 800-1000mg per serving
Conclusion
Cottage Pie with Cheese is a truly exceptional dish that offers a comforting and flavorful experience. With its savory meat filling, creamy and cheesy mashed potato topping, and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal on a cold evening or a crowd-pleasing dish for a gathering, this Cottage Pie with Cheese will not disappoint. It’s a classic recipe elevated with simple yet impactful additions that make it truly special. Enjoy the process of creating this culinary masterpiece and savor every delicious bite! The ease of customization and the ability to prepare it in advance make it a versatile choice for any home cook. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience!
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Cottage Pie with Cheese is an excellent dish to make ahead of time. You can assemble the entire pie, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready to bake, simply remove it from the refrigerator and bake as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the pie is cold.
Q2: Can I freeze Cottage Pie with Cheese?
A: Yes, you can freeze Cottage Pie with Cheese for longer storage. Assemble the pie in a freezer-safe dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed. Again, you may need to add extra baking time to ensure it’s heated through.
Q3: Can I use a different type of cheese in the mashed potato topping?
A: Of course! While Parmesan cheese adds a wonderful flavor, you can certainly experiment with other types of cheese in the mashed potato topping. Cheddar cheese, Gruyere, or a blend of cheeses would all be delicious options. Just be sure to use a cheese that melts well and complements the other flavors in the dish.
Q4: I don’t have beef broth. Can I use something else?
A: If you don’t have beef broth on hand, you can substitute it with chicken broth or vegetable broth. The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still work well in the recipe. You can also use a combination of water and a beef bouillon cube or paste for a similar flavor.
Q5: Can I add other vegetables to the filling?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite vegetables. Mushrooms, celery, bell peppers, or even spinach would all be great additions. Just be sure to sauté any additional vegetables along with the onions and carrots to soften them before adding the other filling ingredients.
