Cottage Pie

Whether you call it Cottage Pie or Shepherd's Pie there is one thing we can all agree on is that this dish is a big ole hug in a bowl! Traditionally, Shepherd's Pie is made with lamb and cottage pie is made with beef but you can use ground chicken or turkey as well! This dish brings me back to childhood and now I make this healthier version loaded with veggies, bone broth and melted ghee on top of the mashed potatoes. This is one you will be making over and over again!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Buttery mashed potatoes browned to perfection over a hearty beef and vegetable mix that your whole family will love, much like cottage pie.

Ingredients You Will Need

Ground beef: imparts a hearty flavor and juicy texture that perfectly complements the rich, savory notes of this cottage pie. I like Grass Roots Coop for my meats.

Onion: yellow onion has a bolder flavor than sweet onions but you can certainly use sweet if you prefer.

Peas: I use frozen garden peas that have been shelled, washed, blanched, and flash-frozen shortly after harvesting to preserve their freshness and nutrients.

Carrots: that are frozen are super easy to use and have a deliciously sweet flavor profile.

Green beans: are also known as French beans, string beans and snap beans are also perfect for this cottage pie when purchased frozen.

Beef bone broth: I'm a huge fan of adding bone broth over regular broth whenever I can to get all the nutritional benefits it provides. You can absolutely use regular broth instead. I like Kettle and Fire for all their broths.

Dried thyme: is a pungent herb that can withstand longer cooking times in stews and soups and adds a depth of flavor.

Garlic powder: is best for when you want a milder flavor that will also coat meats easier for sautéing or quickly frying.

Salt: elevates the overall flavor of any dish. Always salt in moderation in accordance with your dietary preferences.

Arrowroot powder: (or flour), a versatile thickening agent in recipes, serves as an excellent alternative to cornstarch or flour without impacting the flavor of a dish, especially cottage pie dishes.

Mashed potatoes: save any leftover you have or make some fresh like these Whipped Mashed Potatoes.

Ghee: incorporating ghee into this sauce adds a rich, nutty flavor. I love Fourth and Heart ghee.

Nutmeg: adds a distinctive warm, sweet-spicy flavor.

Instructions

Preheat oven: to 350˚.

In a 12" skillet: sauté onion and beef till beef is no longer pink.

Pour in bone broth: and stir in arrowroot powder.

Add: frozen carrots, peas and green beans and simmer 5 minutes.

Stir in: all of the spice except the nutmeg.

Move to a casserole dish: or if your skillet is ovenproof you can leave it in the skillet.

Top with: mashed potatoes, spreading out evenly over the top.

Pour melted ghee: over the top and sprinkle with the nutmeg, crucial for cottage pie.

Bake: for one hour.

Remove: and let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Frozen peas and carrots: can be used instead of buying individual bags of peas and carrots.

Making mashed potatoes: for a dinner or holiday? Make extra and save the leftovers to have on hand to make this Cottage Pie! Leftovers make preparing easy cottage pie.

Recipe Variations

Ground chicken: or ground turkey or lamb can be used in place of the ground beef.

Frozen baby whole onions: can be used in place of the onion. Add them when you add the other frozen veggies to the pan.

Storage Tips

You can store this cottage pie in the refrigerator for 4 days when placed in an airtight glass container. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.

FAQs About Cottage Pie

What's the difference between cottage pie and shepherd's pie?

The main difference lies in the type of meat used in the filling. Cottage pie uses beef while shepherd's pie uses ground lamb.

Does cottage pie have a crust?

No, there is no crust or pastry in cottage pie.

Is cottage pie a winter dish?

Cottage pie can be considered a winter dish but we enjoy it all year round!