Cottage Pie Ala Pantry

Discover comfort food at its finest with Cottage Pie Ala Pantry, a versatile and hearty dish designed to make the most of your pantry staples. This recipe combines a savory ground beef filling—or lentils for a vegetarian twist—with a medley of frozen vegetables and aromatic spices like thyme and garlic, all simmered in a rich tomato and stock base. Topped with creamy mashed potatoes and an optional sprinkle of golden, melted cheese, this dish is baked to perfection, offering a classic yet customizable family favorite. Ready in just over an hour, this budget-friendly recipe is perfect for satisfying weeknight dinners or meal prepping. Indulge in the warm, homey flavors of this crowd-pleasing cottage pie, baked straight from the ingredients you already have on hand!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g ground beef (or substitute with lentils for vegetarian option)
• 800 g potatoes
• 50 g butter
• 100 ml milk
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced or finely chopped
• 400 g canned diced tomatoes
• 300 g frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, etc.)
• 250 ml beef or vegetable stock
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 100 g grated cheese (optional, for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Peel and chop the potatoes into even-sized chunks. Boil them in salted water for 15 minutes or until tender.

Step 2

While the potatoes cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned, breaking up the meat with a spatula. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 4

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Step 5

Pour in the stock, bring the mixture to a simmer, and add the frozen mixed vegetables. Let the filling simmer for 10-12 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 6

Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and mash them with butter and milk until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 8

Spread the beef and vegetable filling evenly in a baking dish. Layer the mashed potatoes on top, smoothing them with the back of a spoon or a fork.

Step 9

If desired, sprinkle grated cheese over the mashed potatoes for a golden, melted topping.

Step 10

Bake the Cottage Pie in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbling at the edges and golden on top.

Step 11

Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Cottage Pie Ala Pantry!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2283.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3263.2

Total Fat 192.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 88.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 633.9mg	0%
Sodium 4992.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 241.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.0g	0%
Total Sugars 38.7g
Protein 146.1g	0%

Vitamin D 109.8IU	0%
Calcium 1173.4mg	0%
Iron 26.7mg	0%
Potassium 7181.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.8%

Protein: 17.8%

Carbs: 29.4%