Description
This Guinness Cottage Pie is a hearty Irish comfort food dish featuring a rich and savory beef filling simmered with Guinness stout, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for cozy dinners, it combines the depth of stout-infused meat with a golden, cheesy crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup Guinness stout beer
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Mashed Potato Topping
- 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks to ensure even cooking and no large clumps.
- Sauté Vegetables: Stir in finely chopped onion and diced carrots, cooking until they soften and release their sweetness, about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Tomato Paste: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute to release aroma. Stir in tomato paste and cook briefly to deepen its flavor.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in Guinness stout beer and beef broth, then add Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add Peas and Season: Stir in frozen peas and season with salt and black pepper to taste, allowing the peas to warm through.
- Prepare Mashed Potatoes: Meanwhile, boil peeled and chopped potatoes in salted water for about 15 minutes or until tender. Drain and mash with butter and milk, seasoning with salt until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Pie: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Transfer the beef mixture to a baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top evenly with the mashed potatoes and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the surface.
- Bake: Place the assembled dish in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving, which helps it set and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- For a traditional shepherd’s pie, substitute ground lamb for ground beef.
- Use half cream instead of milk in the mashed potatoes for a richer and creamier texture.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator and reheat easily, making it perfect for meal prep.
