British Cottage Pie Recipe
I blame it on Prince William and Kate. Ever since their wedding over a decade ago, I’ve had fun following along with the British Royal Family. The good, the bad, and everything in between. It’s a guilty pleasure of mine. When Queen Elizabeth II passed away last week, I felt the loss of a woman who showed the world how to serve with dignity and grace, while also trying to put family first. In honor of the Queen, this past weekend I made this warm, and comforting British Cottage Pie Recipe.

Now you may be wondering cottage pie? These pictures look like shepherd’s pie.
Slow-cooked ground meat in a gravy sauce topped with mashed potatoes and baked.

According to Jamie Oliver, famed English chef, the difference between the more well known shepherd’s pie and cottage pie is one simple ingredient. Shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with ground lamb, while cottage pie is made with ground beef.

Since, there are no sheep to be found on my family’s farm, cottage pie it is.

The ground beef is cooked with onions in a skillet. Then with the addition of a few simple ingredients, it is transformed into a rich thick gravy that gets ladled into the bottom of a baking dish.
While the beef gravy is simmering away, make the mashed potatoes. Dollop over the gravy. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, and bake until golden brown and delicious.

Serve this warm, comforting meat and potato dish with your favorite vegetable and your family is sure to crown you King or Queen of the kitchen.


British Cottage Pie Recipe
This Royal British Cottage Pie Recipe also known as Shepherd's Pie is an easy ground beef recipe that is fit for a King or Queen
Ingredients
Beef Gravy
- 1 1/2 lbs Ground Beef
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 1 tsp Dried Thyme (more or less to taste)
- 1/3 cup Flour
- 2 cups Water
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Browning and Seasoning Sauce (optional, but adds rich coloring)
- 2 tsp Better Than Bouillon- Beef (or 2 Beef Bouillon Cubes)
Mashed Potato Topping
- 2 1/4 lbs Red Potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 1 cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
Beef Gravy
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Cook the ground beef and chopped onion in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in dried thyme, then flour. Let cook for another minute or two and then add in water, Worcestershire sauce, browning and seasoning sauce, and Better Than Bouillon.
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Reduce heat; simmer until sauce thickens. About 20-30 minutes.
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Remove from stove and pour gravy into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
Mashed Potato Topping
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While gravy is simmering, start the mashed potato topping. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Lower heat; simmer until tender, 20-25 minutes.
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Drain potatoes and mash them.
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Add in heavy cream, butter, salt, and pepper. Stir together.
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Spread mashed potatoes over beef gravy in baking dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
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Bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes or until cheese is melted and potatoes are golden brown.
Recipe Notes
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