Ina Garten Cottage Pie

This Ina Garten Cottage Pie is a hearty and comforting dinner recipe, which includes beef mince and cheddar cheese. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 2 hours.

Ina Garten Cottage Pie Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1¼ kg beef mince
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 3 celery sticks, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp plain flour
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 large glass red wine (optional)
• 850 ml beef stock
• 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• A few thyme sprigs
• 2 bay leaves
• 1.8 kg potatoes, chopped
• 225 ml milk
• 25 g butter
• 200 g strong cheddar, grated
• Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste

How To Make Ina Garten Cottage Pie

1. Brown the beef: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Fry the beef mince in batches until evenly browned. Set aside.
2. Sauté vegetables: Add the remaining oil to the same pan. Cook the onions, carrots, and celery over low heat for 10–15 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
3. Build the sauce: Stir in the flour and tomato purée. Cook for 2 minutes. Return the browned beef to the pan.
4. Deglaze and simmer: Add red wine (if using) and boil to reduce slightly. Stir in beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes until thickened. Remove thyme and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Prepare mashed potatoes: Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain well and let steam-dry. Mash with milk, butter, and three-quarters of the cheddar. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
6. Assemble and bake: Preheat oven to 428°F (220°C). Spoon the beef mixture into an ovenproof dish. Top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
7. Bake the pie: Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.

Recipe Tips

• How to thicken cottage pie filling:
  Use plain flour and let the filling simmer uncovered to reduce excess liquid.
• Can I use other meats?
  Yes, ground lamb or turkey also work well for different flavor profiles.
• How to make mashed potatoes extra creamy:
  Steam-dry them after boiling and mash while hot with warm milk and butter.
• What cheese is best?
  Strong cheddar adds richness and depth. You can also mix in Gruyère or Parmesan.
• Can I make it ahead?
  Yes, assemble the pie and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.

What To Serve With Cottage Pie

This dish is filling on its own but pairs well with fresh, crisp sides:

• Steamed green beans
• Buttered peas
• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• Simple garden salad
• Crusty bread

How To Store Cottage Pie

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container or cover the dish with foil. Keep up to 4 days.

Freeze: Cool completely before wrapping tightly. Freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen or thaw overnight in the fridge.

Cottage Pie Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 600 kcal
• Protein: 33g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Cholesterol: 130mg
• Sodium: 520mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 7g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

What’s the difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd’s Pie?
Cottage Pie uses ground beef; Shepherd’s Pie uses ground lamb.

Can I skip the wine?
Yes, simply add extra beef stock in its place.

How to keep mashed potatoes from sinking into the meat?
Let the filling cool slightly before spreading the potatoes on top.

Can I add peas or corn?
Yes, stir in frozen peas or corn during the last few minutes of simmering.

What’s the best dish to bake it in?
Use a deep 9×13-inch baking dish or two smaller oven-safe dishes.

Try More Recipes:

• Ina Garten Turkey Chili
• Ina Garten Guacamole Recipe
• Ina Garten Hummus Recipe