In this post: cottage pie, also known as shepherd’s pie, is a British ground meat casserole. This recipe calls for meat, potatoes, carrots, and onions. A vegan recipe is also provided.
Cottage pie is a classic comfort food that consists of a layer of veggies, a layer of meat, and a layer of creamy mashed potatoes. This dish was popularized in Ireland and is perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!
What is Cottage Pie?
Cottage pie is made with one layer of ground or minced meat or meat substitute, one layer of vegetables, and a top layer of mashed potatoes. Sounds a lot like shepherd’s pie, no?
What’s the Difference Between Cottage Pie and Shepherd’s Pie?
Cottage pie is also called shepherd’s pie in North America, but they are different things! Shepherd’s pie is always made with lamb, whereas cottage pie can be made with beef, turkey, chicken, vegan ‘meat’, or even lentils!
Why Do They Call it Cottage Pie?
Cottage pie got its name because when it was introduced, it was affordable for commoners (usually living in cabins and cottages) to make.
Where Does Cottage Pie Come From?
Cottage pie comes from the United Kingdom, specifically Ireland and Scotland.
Ingredients for Cottage Pie
- Mashed potatoes: either use leftovers or follow the recipe.
- Mixed frozen vegetables: frozen peas, carrots, corn, or whatever you want.
- Meat: ground beef, ground lamb, ground turkey, or meat substitute (store-bought or lentils).
- Tomato paste: adds deep tomato flavor without the extra liquid that sauce adds.
- Flour (optional): used to thicken the sauce. You can use gluten-free flour too!
- Meat or veggie broth: match the broth to the meat or meat substitute you use. (Beef with beef broth, veggie broth with a meat substitute, etc.)
- Worcestershire sauce: you can replace it with HP sauce if you don’t have Worcestershire sauce or can’t eat gluten.
- Dried rosemary: goes especially well with lamb, beef, and meat substitute.
- Salt: you can add to taste.
- Black pepper: a smokey, spicey seasoning.
Variations
- Different top layers: sweet potato, cauliflower, turnip, etc.
- Varied meat: lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, store-bought meat substitute, or lentils.
- New seasonings: try thyme, sage, bay leaves, cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano, garlic, paprika, etc.
- Different veggies: broccoli, green beans, celery, asparagus, or any of your favorites!
- Toppings: cheddar cheese, parsley, chives, etc.
How to Make Cottage Pie
Make your mashed potatoes, if not using leftovers.
- Peel 6-8 potatoes, chop into 1/2″ slices and boil in a large pot of water until fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and mash. Add your preferred additions to achieve your desired taste and texture (i.e., butter and/or milk).
Prepare meat or meat substitute
- Chop the meat or meat substitute into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, whisk the tomato paste into the broth. Stir in the rosemary, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chopped meat or meat substitute and cook until all pieces are cooked through.
- Add the flour if the sauce hasn’t thickened by the time the meat or meat substitute is fully cooked, whisking it in and cooking for two minutes.
Cook vegetables
- Cook the mixed vegetables by boiling them in a small pot of water for 5 minutes. Drain.
- Or simply run them under hot water in a strainer to thaw. They can cook with the rest of the pie in the oven.
Assemble and cook the pie
- Assemble the pie by pouring the meat mixture into the bottom of a casserole dish. Spread into an even layer.
- Top with mixed vegetables.
- Spread the mashed potatoes overtop.
- Bake at 400F for 15-18 minutes until the potatoes are slightly browned. Serve immediately.
Tips For a Great Cottage Pie
- You can use minced/ground meat instead of regular meat.
- For traditional shepherd’s pie, use lamb!
- If you’re in a hurry, substitute the tomato paste, Worcestershire, and broth with a few squirts of ketchup and a tsp of HP sauce. This is also a great option for gluten-free and vegan people because Worcestershire sauce has anchovy (fish) paste and barley malt vinegar in it.
- Increase the sauce ingredients if you want extra gravy!
- You can easily make this recipe for more people by doubling (or even tripling!) the ingredients and using a bigger pan!
Making Ahead, Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Cottage Pie:
Making ahead
Follow all of the instructions before the “assemble and cook the pie” section. Store the meat mixture, veggies, and mashed potatoes in separate airtight containers for the best results. Store like this for up to 3 days before baking!
Storing in the refrigerator
Store the leftovers in the covered baking dish or an airtight container for 3-5 days after it’s cooked.
Freezing
If freezing the entire pie, let the dish cool after baking. Cover it with plastic wrap and then tinfoil. Store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. If freezing leftover cottage pie, store it in an airtight container in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Reheating
- From frozen: bake at 350F for 90 minutes or until warmed through.
- From the fridge (including thawed from the freezer): bake at 350F for 20-30 minutes or until heated through.
FAQs
Can this cottage pie recipe be made ahead or frozen?
You can make this recipe up to 3 days ahead! Follow all of the instructions before the “assemble and cook the pie” section. Store the meat mixture, veggies, and mashed potatoes in separate airtight containers for the best results. Assemble and bake the pie whenever you want to eat it.
You can also freeze this cottage pie. If freezing the entire pie, let the dish cool after baking. Cover it with plastic wrap and then tinfoil. Store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. If freezing leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Is shepherd’s pie Irish or Scottish?
Shepherd’s pie originated in Scotland but was popularized in Ireland. That’s why many of us eat shepherd’s pie around St. Patrick’s Day!
Can I make this cottage pie vegetarian/vegan?
You can do either:
- Vegetarian: replace the ground meat with a store-bought substitute or some lentils and make sure you use veggie broth.
- Vegan: use a vegan meat substitute, veggie broth, and HP sauce instead of Worcestershire sauce (which has anchovy paste).
What to Serve with Cottage Pie
This cottage pie recipe goes great with side dishes like:
More Dinner Ideas
- Homemade Hamburger Helper
- Vegan Lasagne
- Slow Cooker Roast Beef
- Vegan Charcuterie Board
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Cottage Pie
Cottage pie is like shepherd's pie, but it's made with any meat you want instead of just lamb!
Ingredients
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- 2 cups mixed frozen vegetables of choice, peas, carrots, corn
- 2 cups lamb, beef, turkey, or meat substitute (store-bought or lentils)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp flour, gluten-free works, optional
- 3/4 cup meat or veggie broth
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare your mashed potatoes, if not using leftovers.
- Peel 6-8 potatoes, chop into 1/2" slices and boil in a large pot of water until fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and mash. Add your preferred additions to achieve your desired taste and texture (i.e., butter and/or milk).
Prepare meat or meat substitute
- Chop the meat or meat substitute into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large frying pan over medium heat, whisk the tomato paste into the broth. Season to taste with rosemary, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chopped meat or meat substitute and cook until all pieces are cooked through.
- Add the flour if the sauce hasn't thickened by the time the meat or meat substitute is fully cooked, whisking in and cooking for two minutes.
Prepare vegetables
- Cook the mixed vegetables by boiling them in a small pot of water for 5 minutes.
- Drain. Or simply run them under hot water in a strainer to thaw. They can cook with the rest of the pie in the oven.
Assemble and cook the pie
- Assemble the pie by pouring the meat or meat substitute and sauce into the bottom. Spread into an even layer.
- Top with mixed vegetables.
- Spread the mashed potatoes overtop.
- Bake at 400F for 15-18 minutes until the potatoes are slightly browned. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use minced/ground meat instead of regular meat.
- For traditional Shepherd's Pie, use lamb!
- If you're in a hurry (or allergic to gluten), substitute the tomato paste, Worcestershire, and broth with a few squirts of ketchup and a tsp of HP sauce.
- The nutrition info will vary depending on what kind of meat you use.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 855Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 211mgSodium: 727mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 10gSugar: 11gProtein: 67g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily via Nutrifox.
Do you like traditional shepherd’s pie? Or do you prefer the more modern-day equivalent with beef?
