Here’s a classic, old-fashioned Cottage Pie — the traditional beef version of shepherd’s pie (lamb). Rich, savory minced beef filling topped with buttery mashed potatoes and baked until golden.

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🥘 Classic Cottage Pie

⭐ Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the meat filling

• 1½ lbs ground beef (80/20 works great)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2–3 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced (optional but classic)
• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tbsp flour (optional, for thickening)
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp butter or oil

For the mashed potato topping

• 2 lbs potatoes (Yukon gold or russet)
• 4 tbsp butter
• ¼–½ cup milk or cream
• Salt & pepper
• Optional: ½ cup shredded cheddar for a cheesy crust

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the mashed potatoes

1. Peel and chop potatoes.
2. Boil until tender (10–15 minutes).
3. Drain and mash with:
   • butter
   • milk/cream
   • salt & pepper
4. Set aside.

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2. Cook the meat filling

1. Heat a large skillet with butter/oil.
2. Add onions, carrots, and celery; sauté until soft (5–7 minutes).
3. Add garlic; cook 1 minute.
4. Add ground beef; cook and crumble until browned.
5. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute.
6. Add Worcestershire, thyme, rosemary, and flour; stir.
7. Add beef broth and simmer 10–15 minutes until thickened.
8. Stir in peas.
9. Taste and season with salt & pepper.

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3. Assemble

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Spread meat mixture evenly in a baking dish.
• Spoon mashed potatoes on top and smooth gently.
• Rough up the top with a fork so it browns nicely.
• Optional: sprinkle cheddar cheese.

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4. Bake

Bake 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and edges bubble.
Broil 2–3 minutes at the end if you want extra browning.

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⭐ Tips & Variations

Make it richer

• Add a splash of red wine to the beef broth.
• Add 1–2 tbsp butter on top of potatoes before baking.

Traditional British twist

• Add a dash of malt vinegar for brightness.
• Use fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley).

Gluten-free

• Skip the flour and reduce broth slightly.

Shepherd’s Pie

• Swap beef for ground lamb.

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If you want, I can give you:
🥔 A one-pan skillet cottage pie
🥧 A Guinness cottage pie
🍅 A tomato-rich cottage pie
🧀 A cheesy version

Just tell me!