Cheddar-Topped Cottage Pie
A rich ground beef and vegetable filling in savory gravy under fluffy mashed potatoes and a bubbling, golden sharp cheddar crust.
By Marisol Vance, Founder & Head of Recipe Development
Published February 23, 2026
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 1 hr 10 min
- Total
- 1 hr 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Level
- Medium
Cottage pie is the beef cousin of shepherd's pie, and it is one of the most satisfying things you can pull out of an oven on a cold night. The filling is a slow-cooked mix of ground beef, onion, carrots and celery simmered in a thick gravy spiked with tomato paste, worcestershire and thyme.
We add a generous amount of sharp cheddar in two places. Some gets folded into the mashed potatoes for flavor, and the rest goes on top, where it melts into a crisp, bubbling crust. An egg yolk in the mash helps it brown and hold its shape.
Run a fork over the potatoes before baking; those ridges turn into the crunchiest bits. Serve with buttered peas or a sharp green salad.
- Golden bubbling cheddar crust
- Freezer-friendly casserole
- Hearty one-dish dinner
Ingredients
Directions
Put the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water by 1 inch, and add 1 tbsp salt. Bring to a boil and simmer until very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
The rest of this recipe is for members.
You are looking at 17 more ingredients, 10 more steps, our test-kitchen tips and full nutrition. Start a 30-day free trial and cook it tonight.
Already a member? Sign in
