Irish Cottage Pie
Irish Cottage Pie features a savory beef filling made with ground beef, chopped carrots, and seasonings, topped with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes. The assembled pie is baked until golden and bubbling, resulting in a hearty, rustic casserole with a crispy topping and tender filling.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Pot for boiling potatoes
- Mixing bowl
- Masher or fork
- Baking Dish
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef preferably lean
- 2 carrots carrots finely chopped
- 1 small onion onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth optional, for moisture
- 4 large potatoes for mashing
- 3/4 cup milk for mashed potatoes
- 3 tablespoons butter
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks. Place them in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.
- While the potatoes cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula.
- Add diced onions and chopped carrots to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and Worcestershire sauce, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Pour in beef broth if needed to add moisture. Simmer for a few minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the hot pot. Add butter and mash until smooth and creamy. Gradually mix in warm milk until you reach your preferred consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the beef mixture evenly into a baking dish.
- Top the beef mixture with the mashed potatoes, spreading evenly with a spatula and smoothing the surface for an attractive finish.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake until the mashed topping is golden brown and bubbling around the edges, about 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Then, serve hot, ideally with a side of greens or crusty bread.
