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Easy Cottage Pie with ground beef and fluffy mashed potatoes in a casserole dish.

Easy Cottage Pie

A cozy, filling, and kid-friendly cottage pie made with ground beef and a creamy mashed potato topping that is perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Irish
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the beef filling
  • 1-1.5 pounds ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional but nice) adds flavor
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste or ketchup
  • 1-1.5 cups beef broth use as needed for thickness
  • 1 tablespoon flour or 2 teaspoons cornstarch to thicken
  • to taste salt and pepper for seasoning
  • to taste optional veggies: peas, carrots, corn customize as desired
For the mashed potatoes
  • 4-5 medium potatoes, peeled and cut Yukon golds preferred for creaminess
  • to taste butter for creamy texture
  • to taste milk for creamy texture
  • to taste salt and pepper for seasoning
  • optional shredded cheddar or sprinkle of paprika for topping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork tender. Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  2. In a big skillet, brown the ground beef and drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add diced onion and cook until soft, then stir in minced garlic if using.
  4. Add tomato paste, then sprinkle in flour and cook for about a minute.
  5. Gradually stir in beef broth until you have a thick, scoopable filling. Add any optional veggies. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Spread the beef filling into a baking dish and spoon the mashed potatoes on top, spreading to seal.
  7. Texture the tops with a fork to create ridges. Bake at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes until edges are bubbling.
  8. Optional: Broil for 1 to 3 minutes for extra browning, watching closely.
  9. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving for cleaner slices.

Notes

This dish is freezer-friendly and great for leftovers. Customize with favorite vegetables and seasonings.