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Easy Cottage Pie Recipe

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4.3 from 5 reviews

This Easy Cottage Pie is a comforting, hearty dish featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable filling topped with fluffy instant mashed potatoes. Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for a family dinner with simple ingredients and minimal prep.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 12 ounce bag frozen mixed veggies

Gravy and Seasoning

  • 1 packet brown gravy mix
  • 5 cups cold water (divided, or as called for on gravy & potato mixes)
  • ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Potatoes

  • 8 ounce instant potatoes

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375℉. Lightly spray a baking dish with non-stick spray and set it aside to prepare the filling.
  2. Cook Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the diced onion and brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Continue until the beef is no longer pink and the onions become translucent. Drain any excess grease carefully.
  3. Make Gravy and Combine: In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk the brown gravy mix with 1 cup of water (or as the packet instructs) until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the beef. Add the frozen mixed vegetables, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to allow flavors to blend.
  4. Prepare Instant Potatoes: While the filling is simmering, prepare your instant mashed potatoes according to the package directions using the remaining water.
  5. Assemble the Pie: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture evenly to the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top the filling with the prepared mashed potatoes, spreading gently but leaving some texture on top; do not smooth the potato layer completely.
  6. Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top of the mashed potatoes turns golden and slightly crispy.

Notes

  • You can add Worcestershire sauce or herbs like thyme to enhance the flavor of the beef filling.
  • For a richer mashed potato topping, consider mixing in a bit of butter or cheese before spreading.
  • Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease, making the dish lighter.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • Instant potatoes make this recipe quick and easy, but you can substitute with homemade mashed potatoes if preferred.

Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/easy-cottage-pie-recipe/