Cottage pie recipe has 1 added ingredient for a silky and delicious result

Cottage pie is a classic British comfort food made with minced beef simmered in a rich, savoury gravy with vegetables, then topped with creamy mashed potato and baked until golden and crisp

Cottage pie is a quintessential British comfort dish featuring minced beef cooked in a hearty, flavourful gravy with vegetables, crowned with smooth mashed potato and baked until it achieves a golden, crispy finish.

While cottage pie and shepherd’s pie are frequently mistaken for one another, the difference is simple: cottage pie is conventionally prepared with beef, whereas shepherd’s pie uses lamb. Beyond the choice of meat, the recipes are remarkably alike.

An excellent cottage pie ought to be hearty, substantial and packed with taste rather than runny, as excessive liquid can result in a waterlogged mashed potato topping.

For optimal results, the mash needs to be velvety and light, with a golden, lightly crisped surface following baking.

It’s also an ideal dish for preparing ahead, as both the filling and mash can be made beforehand and the entire pie baked when you’re ready to serve, reports the Express.

Incorporating some cream into the mashed potato will render the cottage pie luxuriously smooth, enhancing the dish’s overall taste.

This recipe originates from Golden Kings and requires just 30 minutes of baking time.

How to make a golden and delicious cottage pie

Ingredients

• Six Golden Kings potatoes
• One tablespoon of vegetable oil
• 500g beef mince
• One teaspoon of chopped garlic
• One onion (diced)
• One carrot (diced)
• Three tins of chopped tomatoes
• One tablespoon of tomato puree
• 400ml beef stock
• One teaspoon of dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to season
• Knob of butter
• 50ml cream

Method

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan, then add the onion and carrot.

Add the garlic for one minute, then set aside.

2. Add the mince to the pan and cook until brown, then add the onion and carrot, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, stock and seasoning.

Simmer for 45 minutes until the sauce has reduced. 3.

In the meantime, peel and dice the Golden Kings potatoes before setting them to boil. When soft, drain and mash with butter and cream until velvety and smooth.

4. Transfer the mince mixture into a baking dish and then, utilising a rose or star nozzle, pipe mashed potato roses straight on top.

5. Bake for 30 minutes until golden.