Mediterranean Diet Beef Cottage Pie

Elevate your comfort food game with this Mediterranean Diet Beef Cottage Pie, a wholesome twist on the classic dish. Lean ground beef is simmered in a robust, tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic cinnamon, oregano, and a splash of red wine, then layered with nutrient-packed vegetables like zucchini, red bell pepper, and baby spinach. Topped with a creamy, tangy mash made from Greek yogurt, feta cheese, and fluffy potatoes, this baked casserole boasts a lighter yet flavor-forward profile. Perfect for hearty family dinners, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe is a nutritious and satisfying way to enjoy a time-honored favorite, all while staying true to a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 500 grams lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 400 grams canned tomatoes, crushed
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 125 milliliters red wine
• 250 milliliters beef stock
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 100 grams baby spinach
• 750 grams potatoes, peeled and diced
• 150 grams Greek yogurt
• 100 grams feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the red bell pepper, carrot, and zucchini. Cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, and beef stock to the skillet. Season with ground cinnamon, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt.

Step 6

Allow the mixture to simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in the baby spinach until it wilts. Remove from heat.

Step 7

Meanwhile, place the diced potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.

Step 8

Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add Greek yogurt and mash until smooth and creamy. Stir in crumbled feta cheese.

Step 9

Spread the beef and vegetable mixture in an even layer at the bottom of a baking dish.

Step 10

Top with the mashed potato and feta cheese mixture, spreading evenly with a spatula.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 12

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your Mediterranean Diet Beef Cottage Pie!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2967.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2371.1

Total Fat 89.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 35.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 398.2mg	0%
Sodium 4752.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 212.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.5g	0%
Total Sugars 47.9g
Protein 153.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1026.8mg	0%
Iron 27.6mg	0%
Potassium 5898.2mg	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: 35.5%

Protein: 27.0%

Carbs: 37.4%