Description

Gordon Ramsay’s Cottage Pie is a comforting British classic featuring a rich and savory ground beef filling simmered with vegetables and herbs, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden. This hearty dish is perfect for family dinners and showcases a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

750 grams ground beef
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped

Potatoes and Toppings

1.2 kilograms potatoes, peeled and cubed
165 millilitres warm milk
30 grams butter
20 grams grated parmesan cheese

Liquids and Sauces

1.5 tablespoons olive oil
40 grams all-purpose flour
55 grams tomato paste
500 millilitres beef stock
125 millilitres red apple vinegar
1 beef bouillon cube
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Seasonings

1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic, finely chopped carrot, and celery, sautéing until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high, add the ground beef to the skillet, and cook until browned evenly, breaking up any lumps with a spatula.
Make the Filling Sauce: Stir in the all-purpose flour and tomato paste to coat the beef and vegetables. Pour in red apple vinegar and beef stock, add the beef bouillon cube, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaves. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes until the sauce thickens and develops a rich flavor.
Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: While the filling simmers, boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water for about 20 minutes or until tender. Drain well, then mash with warm milk, butter, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Pie: Spoon the thickened beef filling into a baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top the filling with the mashed potatoes, using a fork to create texture on the surface for a crispy topping.
Add Finishing Touches: Dot the mashed potatoes with small pieces of butter and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the top to enhance browning and add extra flavor.
Bake the Cottage Pie: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the assembled pie in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crispy.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of red wine to the beef mixture during the simmering step.
Feel free to substitute parmesan cheese with cheddar for a classic cottage pie taste.
Ensure the mashed potatoes are not too runny to avoid a soggy topping.
The pie can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just increase the baking time slightly if baking from cold.