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Cozy Ground Beef Cottage Pie Recipe with White Cheddar Mashed Potato Crust

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A comforting and easy-to-make ground beef cottage pie topped with a creamy white cheddar mashed potato crust, perfect for cozy dinners and family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (lean preferred)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup carrots, diced
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 4 oz white cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place peeled and chopped Yukon Gold potatoes in a pot of cold salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
  3. While potatoes cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Add onions, garlic, and carrots to the beef. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  5. Mix in tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly.
  6. Stir in the frozen peas and cook just until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  7. Drain potatoes well and return to the pot. Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Mash until creamy but still a bit textured. Stir in shredded white cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
  8. Spread the beef mixture evenly in your baking dish. Spoon the cheesy mashed potatoes over the top, smoothing with a spatula. Rough up the surface with a fork for a golden crust.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the potato crust is golden and bubbling around the edges.
  10. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overmix mashed potatoes to avoid gluey texture. Rough up the mashed potato surface with a fork before baking to create a crispier crust. For extra golden top, broil for last 2 minutes watching carefully. Drain excess grease from beef to avoid greasy pie. You can prepare beef filling and mashed potatoes ahead and assemble before baking. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cottage pie, ground beef, mashed potatoes, white cheddar, comfort food, easy dinner, cozy meal

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/cozy-ground-beef-cottage-pie-recipe-with-white-cheddar-mashed-potato-crust-easy-and-perfect/