Classic Cottage Pie

A comforting British family favourite made with quality beef mince

Few meals are as comforting as a homemade cottage pie. Rich minced beef, slow-cooked with vegetables in a savoury gravy and topped with creamy mashed potatoes, it's a true British classic that's perfect for feeding the whole family.

Made with quality British beef mince, this recipe is packed with flavour while remaining simple enough for a weeknight dinner. It's ideal for batch cooking, freezes beautifully and tastes even better the next day.

At Flatts Farm in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, we believe great family meals begin with great ingredients. Our beef mince is prepared from quality British beef, making it the perfect choice for traditional recipes that bring everyone together around the table.

Whether you're cooking for the family or preparing meals ahead for a busy week, this easy cottage pie recipe is one you'll come back to time and time again.

Recipe Summary

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Serves: 4–6 people

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the Filling

• 1kg Flatts Farm Beef Mince

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 large onion, diced

• 2 carrots, finely diced

• 2 celery sticks, finely diced

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 2 tbsp tomato purée

• 500ml beef stock

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 bay leaf

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Mash

• 1kg floury potatoes

• 75g butter

• 100ml milk

• 100g mature Cheddar cheese (optional)

• Salt and black pepper

Equipment

• Large frying pan

• Saucepan

• Ovenproof baking dish

• Potato masher

Method

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan before gently cooking the onion, carrots and celery for around 8 minutes until softened.

Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

Step 2

Increase the heat and add the beef mince.

Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Step 3

Stir in the tomato purée before adding the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme and bay leaf.

Reduce the heat and simmer gently for around 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened.

Season to taste.

Step 4

Meanwhile, peel and boil the potatoes until tender.

Drain well before mashing with the butter and milk until smooth.

Season generously and stir through the cheese if using.

Step 5

Spoon the beef mixture into a baking dish before spreading the mashed potato evenly over the top.

Use a fork to create ridges across the surface—these will become deliciously crisp during baking.

Step 6

Bake at 200°C (180°C Fan) for around 25–30 minutes until golden brown and bubbling around the edges.

Allow to stand for five minutes before serving.

Flatts Farm Tips

• Let the filling reduce properly before topping with mash.

• Rough up the mashed potato with a fork for an extra crispy finish.

• A handful of grated Cheddar creates a beautifully golden topping.

• Cottage pie freezes brilliantly before or after baking.

What to Serve With

Cottage pie is delicious alongside:

• Buttered peas

• Steamed green beans

• Roasted carrots

• Braised cabbage

• Crusty bread

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Up to 3 days.

• Freezer: Up to 3 months.

• Reheating: Bake until piping hot throughout or microwave individual portions.

From the Farm

Beef mince is one of the most versatile ingredients you can keep in your freezer. From cottage pie and spaghetti Bolognese to burgers and chilli, it's the foundation of countless family favourites.

At Flatts Farm, our beef mince is prepared from quality British beef raised in the Yorkshire Dales. It's carefully minced to provide the perfect balance of flavour and texture, making everyday meals that little bit more special.

Cook with Flatts Farm Beef

Our Beef Mince is individually packed and frozen for convenience, making it easy to keep a quality British ingredient ready for family meals whenever you need it.

Raised in the Yorkshire Dales and supplied directly from our farm, it's the perfect choice for everything from comforting cottage pies to quick midweek dinners.