Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

betty's beef and vegetable "cottage pie"

Recipe by
Betty Bramanis
Sydney

Clear out your vegetable crisper and freezer of all those almost empty bags of vegetables! This is a rich and nourishing cottage pie (meat in a tasty vegetable gravy and topped with buttery mashed potatoes) and my kids love this and is even better the next day. A staple for my family, nothing fancy but so delicious. Vegetables that I use include: carrots, onion, celery, zucchini, broccoli (including stems) frozen beans, frozen corn, frozen peas. Any combination works, you'll want about 4 cups in total.

yield serving(s)
prep time 50 Min
cook time 35 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For betty's beef and vegetable "cottage pie"

  • 2 lb
    minced beef,
  • 1
    onion, diced fine
  • 4 c
    finely diced vegetables (today i used carrot, celery, zucchini and peas)
  • 2 tsp
    minced garlic
  • 1 pkg
    french onion dry soup mix
  • 2 Tbsp
    tomato paste
  • 1 - 2 Tbsp
    worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 c
    red split peas (optional)
  • 2 c
    water
  • 1 Tbsp
    gravy granuals (gluten free if needed), mixed with about 2 tb of water
  • 1/4 tsp
    dried thyme leaves (a large pinch)
  • 3 Tbsp
    butter (i like salted) or margarine for dairy free
  • 1/4 - 1/2 c
    milk, or dairy free option
  • 6 - 8
    large potatoes, peeled and chopped evenly
  • 1/2 c
    grated cheese, optional (or dairy free option)
  • 2 Tbsp
    dried bread crumbs (can use gluten free)

How To Make betty's beef and vegetable "cottage pie"

  • 1
    To make the meat filling: Heat the meat in a little oil and fry with the onion. Add the vegetables and cook for a further 10 minutes. Add everything else (not the gravy granuals) and cook for 30 - 40 minutes (or until the split peas are cooked) over a medium heat. Add the gravy granuals mixed with water and stir through until thickened. Pre-heat oven to 375oF/190oC.
  • 2
    To make the potatoes: Boil potatoes in a large pot until tender. Strain well and mash with butter and milk. Taste and season if needed.
  • 3
    Assembly: Pour the meat into a oiled/buttered lasange dish. Top with the potatoes (I gently drop spoonfuls all over and connect them with a fork) Top with cheese and breadcrumbs if using.
  • 4
    To bake: Place in a pre-heated oven and bake for 35 - 40 minutes. It should be bubbly and golden. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
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