UK
Cottage Pie
A hearty British classic with seasoned beef mince topped with creamy mashed potatoes.
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 10.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1.25kg beef mince
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 carrots, diced
- 3 celery sticks, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp plain flour
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 large glass red wine (optional)
- 850ml beef stock
- 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- A few thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt & black pepper
- 1.8kg potatoes
- 225ml milk
- 25g butter
- 200g strong cheddar, grated
- Freshly grated nutmeg
Cooking Steps
Brown the mince in batches until caramelised, set aside
Cook onions, carrots, and celery 15-20 minutes until soft
Add garlic, flour, and tomato purée. Cook 1-2 minutes
Deglaze with wine, add stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves
Simmer uncovered 45 minutes until thickened
Boil potatoes, mash with milk, butter, nutmeg, and ¾ of the cheddar
Spoon meat into baking dish, top with mash, scatter remaining cheese
Bake at 220°C for 25-30 minutes until golden
Optional Enhancements
- Add mushrooms for umami richness
- Add chopped rosemary with thyme
- Add peas or sweetcorn to the filling
- Add Dijon mustard to the mash
- Make it dairy-free or gluten-free with simple swaps
Plant & Growing Tips
- Potatoes: Chit seed potatoes indoors 2-3 weeks before planting. Plant March-April after frost risk
- Carrots: Direct sow into fine, stone-free soil. Sow thinly and water deeply
- Onions: Plant sets in early spring. Keep weed-free
Natural Pest Control
- Carrot fly: protect with fine mesh netting
- Companion planting: grow carrots near onions to mask scent
- Slugs: water in the morning and use grit barriers
- Encourage ladybirds with marigolds
Harvest
- Potatoes: Ready when foliage yellows and dies back. Cure in a dry, shaded spot before storing
- Carrots: Harvest young for sweetness. Store in damp sand in a cool shed
- Onions: Harvest when tops flop and dry out
Storing & Freezing
Assemble, cool, wrap well, and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in fridge, then bake as normal.
