From the OPR kitchen
A simple beef filling under a golden mashed potato top.
An OPR editorial recipe for home cooking. The photograph is a serving illustration.
At home recipes
Everyday cottage pie
At home recipes · Family
A simple beef filling under a golden mashed potato top.
25 min prep · 25 min cook · Serves 4 · Main
Recipe by Other People's Recipes · Published · Updated
The method
- 1Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Lightly grease a suitable ovenproof dish using a little of the listed fat.
- 2Boil potatoes until tender, about 15–20 minutes. Drain and mash with butter, milk and seasoning.
- 3Warm oil and soften onion and carrots for 8 minutes. Add beef and cook, breaking it up. Stir in tomato purée, stock and Worcestershire sauce; simmer for 15 minutes and check mince is cooked through.
- 4Spoon filling into the dish and spread mashed potato over it.
- 5Transfer to the dish and bake for about 25 minutes, until the top is golden and the centre is piping hot.
- 6Check the thickest pieces of every meat or fish ingredient reach 75°C for at least 30 seconds with a clean food thermometer. Continue cooking if needed; time and colour alone are not reliable.
- 7Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Cook's notes & swaps
A little help from the OPR kitchen
These are optional pointers for making the recipe your own while keeping the spirit of the original.
Make it your own
Taste before serving and adjust the seasoning a little at a time. Check ingredient labels for allergens and dietary suitability.
A note from the OPR kitchen
An OPR editorial recipe for everyday home cooking. Timings are a guide and depend on your equipment; follow the method and check food is fully cooked. This recipe has not been independently kitchen-tested.
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