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Spiced-Up Cottage Pie (Shepherd's Pie with Beef)

Hearty ground beef and vegetable casserole topped with creamy mashed potatoes, perfect for comfort food dinners and family meals.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: British, Comfort Food
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Layer
  • 2 pounds ground beef 80/20 blend
  • 3 large onions finely diced
  • 3 large carrots diced
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme or 1 tbsp dried
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
Potato Topping
  • 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large pot for potatoes
  • Potato masher

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Peel and chop potatoes into evenly sized chunks. Boil in salted water for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender.
  3. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown ground beef, breaking up with wooden spoon, for 8-10 minutes.
  4. Add onions, carrots, and celery to beef. Cook 5-7 minutes until vegetables start to soften.
  5. Stir in garlic, tomato paste, paprika, cumin, thyme, and rosemary. Cook 2 minutes until fragrant.
  6. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir well. Cook 1 minute, then add Worcestershire sauce and beef broth.
  7. Bring to simmer and thicken for 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, stir in peas, transfer to baking dish.
  8. Drain potatoes, return to pot. Add butter, cream, and Parmesan. Mash until smooth and creamy.
  9. Spread mashed potatoes over beef mixture, using fork to create decorative ridges on top.
  10. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, use 80/20 ground beef for optimal flavor and texture. Can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 2 days before baking. Freezes well for up to 3 months.