The term cottage pie first appeared in 1791. This dish was made using any left over meat and the ‘new’ vegetable, potatoes. This was an affordable dish for poorer people to eat, and the term cottage refers to their dwellings. Originally the dish was lined with mashed potatoes as well.
Head straight on to the recipe for Cottage Pie ♥
The other day I was sitting quietly, minding my own business in the VIP lounge at Killarney. Usually I am left to my own devices and I can read a book in between the racing, or watch TV if there is decent sport on. While watching the Superbikes an elderly gentleman came over to chat to me, and told me how obsessed he had been with motor sport when he was younger. He did track racing, rallying and drag racing from 1966 to 1978. I asked him what made him stop racing as he had been so invested in the sport, and his reply was “I got married”. I am so lucky that I did not have to give up my motor sport involvement when I married Dave. We met because of racing and it is something we enjoy doing together.
Today’s inspiration ♥ cottage pie ♥ can be found on Lavender and Lime Share on X
Since I started blogging in 2009, cooking has become another thing that brings us together. I very seldom cook alone and when I do it is usually because I am road testing a recipe for the blog. Recently, I was sent recipe cards by Van Loveren and I was really inspired to make the cottage pie. I made a super huge portion of it so that Dave and I could share it for more than one meal. When we return from Killarney I like to have something already made as we get home late and I don’t feel like cooking from scratch after a day out. Cottage pie fits the bill perfectly as you can get it all ready to go the day before and just take it out of the fridge and pop it into the oven when you are nearly ready to eat.
Cottage Pie
Ingredients
for the mince
- 15 mls olive oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
- 500 g ground beef
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to season
- 40 g tomato paste
- 5 mls Worcestershire sauce
- 400 g tinned tomatoes
- 2 medium carrots, thicky sliced
- 250 mls red wine
- 100 g frozen peas
for the mash
- 4 large potatoes, quartered
- 50 g butter
- Salt to season
Method
for the mince
- Place the oil into a large pot and heat over a medium to high temperature
- Add the onion and sauté until soft, reducing the heat to prevent the onion colouring
- Add the garlic and sauté for a further 5 minutes
- Add the beef a bit at a time and brown
- Season to taste and then add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce
- Stir to combine before adding the tin tomatoes
- Break the tomatoes up using a wooden spoon before adding the carrots
- Stir to combine and then add the red wine
- Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat and simmer until the carrots are nearly soft
- Add the peas and cook until they have completely defrosted
- Adjust the seasoning and set aside to cool
for the mash
- Cook your potatoes until you can get a knife through them. I prefer to steam mine
- Make sure they are completely dried before pushing them through a ricer, or mashing by hand
- Add the butter and mix in using a fork until the butter has melted
- Add a generous amount of salt to season
for the cottage pie
- Preheat the oven to 180° Celsius
- Place the mince into an ovenproof dish
- Place the mash into a piping bag and pipe the mash on top of the mince *
- Bake for 40 minutes until the potatoes are crispy and have some colour
Notes
Nutrition
Click on the links for conversions and notes.
What I blogged July 7:
- two years ago – Egg Nest Ravioli
- four years ago – Friday’s Food Quiz
- five years ago – Sweet Chilli Sauce Duck
- six years ago – Roast Chicken
I haven’t had cottage pie in ages. Yours is a lot prettier than mine, with the piped florets.
That was only for the photos Fiona 🙂
I love cottage pie and shepherd’s pie and that’s some very impressive potato piping on top!
Thank you Tanya 🙂
You know Tandy, I never think about eating this except in England. I think my kids would love it and I will give it a go.
I hope they love it Tammy 🙂
Hi Tandy, it is so nice that you and your husband have so much in common. My husband and I love to hike. This cottage pie looks delicious!!!
I love that you go on so many amazing hikes together 🙂
Hi Angie, gorgeous, gorgeous looking pie. Red wine sounds like the perfect addition to this pie!!!
Not sure who Angie is Anu, but thanks for the comment!
I love cottage pie! And your presentation is very pretty with the piped mashed potatoes 🙂
Thank you Sarah 🙂
Hmmmmm, I think I eat this but it’s called shepherds pie!? not sure. But it’s a dish I’m always hoping someone will make and magically drop off at my house for dinner. Delish.
I would if I lived closer Laura! Shepard’s pie is made with lamb 🙂
I haven’t had cottage pie in ages, such a classic! Thanks for the reminder and the recipe Tandy 🙂
My pleasure Jem 🙂
A good old fashioned favourite!
For sure 🙂
A real staple and so good. But we make Paté Chinois here, similar to sheppard’s pie but different. That discussion here can start a cultural war lol. But great recipe.
I am going to have to research Paté Chinois 🙂
A great favourite here too. Wait till I get my kitchen. 🙂
I am sure you cannot wait!
This is a dish from the past…cottage pie. Great pictures and very pretty. Like the idea of having it already made 🙂
It helps me a lot to have things ready prepared 🙂
I absolutely love cottage pie! I was super excited when you posted this recipe!
It’s just a classic! 😀
Definitely sharing on my pages as well! 😀
Thank you Krysten 🙂
Not fan for a cottage pie but for this i make an exception, very delicious! 🙂
Thank you Eloise 🙂
I love cottage pie with all of the vegetables-it seems closer to a complete meal than just meat pies which we get a lot of here! 🙂
I agree 🙂
Such a great classic recipe, looks so yummy
Thanks Sophia 🙂
I love a good make-ahead meal, and this recipe is similar to the way I make cottage pie at home. The way you have done the mash looks great, I must try that!
Thanks Teresa 🙂
This is a fantastic comfort food recipe and looks delicious Tandy. Great in this chilly weather.
Thanks Ev 🙂
I wish my family would love cottage pie as much as I do. It was one of my mom’s go to recipes for dinner. I miss not having it. PS You pipe your mashed potatoes? I am tres impressed!
Thanks Sam 🙂
I like your recipes can u please send me more. I already tried the cottage pie it was perfect. Thanks.
My pleasure. You can use the search function for more recipes 🙂