This hearty Nigella Cottage Pie is a comforting classic, perfect for a cozy family dinner. With its rich, savory beef filling and a creamy layer of mashed potatoes topped with bubbling cheddar cheese, it’s pure comfort in every bite. Easily adaptable with pantry staples, this dish is simple, satisfying, and ideal for any occasion!
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💛 Why You’ll Love Cottage Pie Recipe:
- Rich Flavor Blend: Enjoy the delightful mix of seasoned beef, caramelized onions, and tender carrots, creating a flavor explosion in every bite.
- Comforting Warmth: Feel the cozy warmth of this dish, like a comforting embrace on a chilly night, wrapping you in culinary comfort.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday pantry staples, this recipe is easy to make without hunting for fancy items, ensuring stress-free cooking.
❓ What Is Nigella Cottage Pie Recipe?
Nigella Cottage Pie is a classic dish featuring ground beef, onions, carrots, and a flavorful gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and melted Cheddar cheese.
🍖 Nigella Cottage Pie Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup butter softened
- ¼ pound shredded Cheddar cheese
🍲 How To Make Nigella Cottage Pie
- Heat a big pan on medium-high. Cook ground beef until it’s brown and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add chopped onion and carrot. Cook until onion is soft, around 5 minutes. Stir in flour, Italian seasoning, and a touch of cinnamon. Add parsley for extra flavor.
- Mix beef broth and tomato paste in a jug. Pour it into the beef mix. Season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring now and then until it thickens a bit.
- Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Meanwhile, put diced potatoes in a pot. Cover them with water and boil until soft, roughly 15 minutes. Drain the water. Mash the potatoes until they’re smooth.
- Add milk and butter, and whip it up until it’s fluffy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spoon the beef mix into a baking dish (size 9×13 inches). Spread the mashed potatoes on top like a cozy blanket. Sprinkle-grated Cheddar cheese over it all.
- Bake it in the oven until the top gets golden and the cheese melts and bubbles, about 25 minutes.
💭 Recipe Tips:
- Brown Beef Well: Make sure to cook the ground beef until it’s golden and crumbly for a rich flavor.
- Seasoning Balance: Mix Italian seasoning, a pinch of cinnamon (if using), salt, and pepper evenly for a tasty filling.
- Thickening Trick: Stir in all-purpose flour to thicken the beef broth and tomato paste mix for a hearty texture.
🥗 What To Serve With Cottage Pie?
Serve Cottage Pie with steamed vegetables, fresh salad, crusty bread, buttered corn, roasted potatoes, garlic bread, beans, creamy coleslaw, fruit salad, and mashed peas for a complete meal.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Cottage Pie?
- In the fridge: Store leftovers cottage pie in an airtight container for 3 days.
- In the freezer: Store leftovers cottage pie in a freezer-safe container for 3 months.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Cottage Pie?
- In the oven: Reheat leftovers cottage pie for 5-7 minutes at 350°F.
- In the microwave: Reheat leftovers cottage pie on high for 3-5 minutes.
- In the air-fryer: Reheat leftover cottage pie for 3-5 minutes at 350°F.
FAQ’S:
How Do I Make Cottage Pie With A Crispy Topping?
To achieve a crispy topping on your Cottage Pie, sprinkle breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan cheese over the mashed potatoes before baking. This will create a delightful crunchy texture on the surface.
What Type Of Cheese Is Best For Topping Cottage Pie?
Cheddar cheese is the most commonly used cheese for topping Cottage Pie due to its rich flavor and melting properties. However, you can also experiment with other cheeses like mozzarella or Gruyere for a different taste.
How Do I Prevent The Cottage Pie From Becoming Too Watery?
To prevent Cottage Pie from becoming too watery, ensure to drain excess liquid from the cooked ground beef and vegetables before assembling the pie. Additionally, avoid adding too much liquid to the filling and simmer until it thickens adequately.
How Do I Prevent The Cottage Pie From Sticking To The Baking Dish?
To prevent the Cottage Pie from sticking to the baking dish, grease the baking dish with butter or cooking spray before assembling the pie. This will create a non-stick surface and make it easier to serve the pie after baking.
Nigella Cottage Pie Nutrition Fact
- Calories: 513
- Total Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 491mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 35g
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Total Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 24g
- Calcium: 244mg
- Iron: 3mg
- Potassium: 1085mg
Nigella Cottage Pie
Description
Nigella Cottage Pie is crafted from lean ground beef, onions, carrots, flour, Italian seasoning, optional cinnamon, parsley, beef broth, tomato paste, salt, pepper, potatoes, milk, butter, and Cheddar cheese. It requires 75 minutes to make and serves six individuals.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat a big pan on medium-high. Cook ground beef until it’s brown and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add chopped onion and carrot. Cook until onion is soft, around 5 minutes. Stir in flour, Italian seasoning, and a touch of cinnamon. Add parsley for extra flavor.
- Mix beef broth and tomato paste in a jug. Pour it into the beef mix. Season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring now and then until it thickens a bit.
- Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Meanwhile, put diced potatoes in a pot. Cover them with water and boil until soft, roughly 15 minutes. Drain the water. Mash the potatoes until they’re smooth.
- Add milk and butter, and whip it up until it’s fluffy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spoon the beef mix into a baking dish (size 9×13 inches). Spread the mashed potatoes on top like a cozy blanket. Sprinkle-grated Cheddar cheese over it all.
- Bake it in the oven until the top gets golden and the cheese melts and bubbles, about 25 minutes.
Notes
- Brown Beef Well: Make sure to cook the ground beef until it’s golden and crumbly for a rich flavor.
Seasoning Balance: Mix Italian seasoning, a pinch of cinnamon (if using), salt, and pepper evenly for a tasty filling.
Thickening Trick: Stir in all-purpose flour to thicken the beef broth and tomato paste mix for a hearty texture.