Best 3 Easy Cottage Pie Recipes

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**Cottage Pie: A Hearty and Comforting Classic**

Cottage pie is a classic British dish that is enjoyed by people of all ages. This savory dish features a layer of seasoned ground beef or lamb, topped with a creamy mashed potato crust and baked until golden brown. The result is a hearty and comforting meal that is perfect for a cold winter night.

This article provides two delicious cottage pie recipes that are sure to please everyone. The first recipe is a traditional cottage pie made with ground beef, while the second recipe is a vegetarian version made with lentils. Both recipes are easy to follow and can be made with ingredients that are easily found at your local grocery store.

**Traditional Cottage Pie**

This classic cottage pie recipe features a flavorful filling made with ground beef, vegetables, and a rich gravy. The mashed potato topping is creamy and fluffy, and it perfectly complements the savory filling.

**Vegetarian Cottage Pie**

This vegetarian version of cottage pie is just as delicious as the traditional version, but it is made with lentils instead of ground beef. The lentils are simmered in a flavorful broth with vegetables and spices, and they are then topped with a creamy mashed potato crust.

**Tips for Making the Best Cottage Pie**

* Use high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the cottage pie will be.
* Season the meat or lentils well. This will help to bring out the flavor of the dish.
* Make sure the gravy is thick and flavorful. The gravy is what will tie all of the ingredients together.
* Don't overcook the mashed potatoes. They should be creamy and fluffy, not dry and lumpy.
* Bake the cottage pie until the top is golden brown and bubbly. This will ensure that the pie is cooked through and that the mashed potatoes are crispy.

Cottage pie is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a cold winter night. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

SUNNY'S EASY BREAKFAST COTTAGE PIE



Sunny's Easy Breakfast Cottage Pie image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons vegetable oil or unsalted butter
1 pound maple-flavored and/or spicy breakfast sausage (loose in the large tube)
2 links (8 ounces) Mexican chorizo
One 14-ounce bag frozen fire-roasted or charred onions and peppers, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
6 slices American cheese
One 16-ounce bag frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
2 tablespoons steak rub or BBQ seasoning blend
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Hot sauce, such as Cholula or Frank's, for serving, optional
6 to 8 sunny-side up eggs, for serving, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • For the bottom layer: In a large pan on medium-high heat, add the oil, sausage and chorizo. Using a wooden spatula or, even better, a wired and wavy potato masher, break up the chorizo and sausage until they are homogenous and resemble ground beef in its tiniest form. Once broken down, continue to cook until the sausage is cooked through and orange fat is rendered from the chorizo, 10 to 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon to drain off excess fat, transfer the mixture to an 8-by-8-inch casserole dish.
  • For the middle layer: In the same pan with the remaining fat from the meat, quickly add and saute the onions and peppers with a pinch of salt and pepper until tender and the moisture from being frozen is cooked out, 5 to 8 minutes. As before, use a slotted spoon to transfer the pepper/onion mixture to the casserole dish, draining off excess fat, and evenly spread this mixture over the top of the meat layer.
  • Next, evenly layer the mozzarella cheese over the vegetables. Then use the American cheese slices to create another layer, pressing down once done to make everything level and compact.
  • For the top layer: In a large bowl, add the hash browns, butter, steak rub and remaining fat from the pan. Season generously with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Sprinkle this layer on top of the cheese and gently press down, but not too tight so steam can escape.
  • Bake, uncovered, until the top is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve with a shake of hot sauce or sunny-side up eggs over the top.

EASY CHEESY COTTAGE PIE



Easy Cheesy Cottage Pie image

From Mr. Food. Easy Cheesy Cottage Pie requires just a few ingredients and you can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes. Seriously! It doesn't get much better than a hearty dinner you can make in a snap.

Provided by LINDA BAILEY

Categories     Casseroles

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 Tbsp butter
1 c diced onion
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
salt and black pepper to taste
1 c (8 ounces) canned or bottled brown gravy
2 c mashed potatoes
1 c shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. In a large skillet,melt butter. Add onion and cook until lightly browned,stirring frequently. Stir in beef,salt and pepper and cook 5-8 minutes or until beef is no longer pink.
  • 2. Stir in gravy and heat until bubbling. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish. In a small bowl,combine potatoes and cheese. Spread over top of casserole. Bake 15 to 20 minutes,or until potatoes are lightly browned and casserole is warmed through.

EASY COTTAGE PIE



EASY COTTAGE PIE image

In honor of the late Art Ginsburg (Mr. Food) I am posting this recipe. He remarked, "This quick ground beef recipe is stick-to-the-ribs delicious and satisfying. Makes you feel warm and cozy on a cold winter night." Here's to you, Mr. Food! Recipe from: mrfood.com

Provided by Ellen Bales

Categories     Savory Pies

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 6

6 Tbsp butter, divided
1 c diced onion
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
salt and black pepper to taste
1 c (8 oz.) canned or bottled brown gravy
2 c mashed potatoes (i use bob evans refrigerated)

Steps:

  • 1. In a large skillet, heat 4 Tbsp. butter. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until lightly browned.
  • 2. Add the beef, salt and pepper, and cook until beef is browned.
  • 3. Stir in the gravy and heat until bubbling.
  • 4. Spoon the mixture into a greased 2-qt. casserole dish. Spread mashed potatoes over the top of meat and dot with pieces of remaining butter.
  • 5. In a preheated 400-degree oven, bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are lightly browned.

Tips:

  • Ground beef: Use a lean ground beef (85% lean) to reduce the amount of grease in the dish.
  • Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the filling, such as carrots, celery, or green beans.
  • Mashed potatoes: Use a starchy potato, such as a Russet or Yukon Gold, for creamy mashed potatoes.
  • Cheese: Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a flavorful topping.
  • Baking: Cover the cottage pie with foil during baking to prevent the potatoes from becoming too brown.

Conclusion:

Cottage pie is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its simple ingredients and hearty flavor, it's a great meal for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this cottage pie recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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