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Individual Cottage Pies

Ready in 50 mins

Recipe by Graham 

The Brits have a national fascination with minced meat pies and, when they combined it with mashed potatoes, the Individual Cottage Pie was born. (For a similar dish made with lamb, see Shepherd's Pie). For a slightly spicy version you can add a dash of smoked paprika to the mashed potatoes and finish the topping with cheese.

These cottage pies can be easily frozen uncooked. Thaw the frozen pies slowly in the fridge and just bake them like you would normally. It definitely is a great meal to have on hand in your freezer, because these pies taste even better when you come home tired from a busy day.

Preparation Time

20 Minutes

Cooking Time

30 Minutes

Ingredients for Individual Cottage Pies

If you are not familiar with any ingredients, please check our International Cooking Terms page.

Currently displaying quantities in US Imperial Measurements

To serve 4:

FOR THE POTATOES
2 lb potatoes
1 oz butter
3 - 4 tablespoons milk
FOR THE MEAT
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion
1 leek
1 carrot
1 clove garlic
1½ lb lean minced beef (ground beef)
1 tablespoon tomato purée (concentrated tomato paste)
  salt and pepper
  herb oil
4 sprigs thyme

How to Cook Individual Cottage Pies

  1. Peel, cook and prepare the potatoes according to the simple recipe for Creamed Potatoes
  2. While the potatoes are cooking, peel and crush (mince) the garlic, peel and finely chop the onion, leek and carrot. Heat the olive oil in a pan and add the onion, leek, carrot and garlic and saute for 3-4 minutes until just beginning to soften but not colouring.
  3. Stir the minced beef into the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned, breaking up any lumps with the edge of a wooden spoon. Stir in the tomato puree and cook gently for another 10 minutes until completely tender. Season to taste with salt and freshly-ground black pepper.
  4. To serve, place a 3½" (9cm) ring mould on each plate (warm the plates first). Spoon the minced beef mixture into the moulds, then add the mashed potatoes, gently fluffing the top with a fork. Carefully remove the moulds.
  5. Finish off with a drizzle of herb oil, garnish with a sprig of thyme and serve with Peppered Cabbage or simple Fried Mushrooms or even just a spoon full of Baked Beans.
GRAHAM'S HOT TIP:
If you don't have any ring moulds, grab an empty plastic bottle (milk, water, cola or whatever) that is about 3"-4" (9cm-10cm) in diameter and cut a section out of the middle about 3" (7.5cm) high. Wash well to remove any residual cola and you'll find this will work fine. With proper food moulds, the moulds are easy to remove because they are stainless steel, and you might have to use a knife round the edge with the "bottle mould", but it will still work.