Meat & Game

Homestyle Favourite Crispy Cottage Pie

A comforting meat pie with a crispy sliced potato topping that skips the mashing. Tender beef, pancetta, and vegetables in rich gravy make this a hearty family favourite.

4.6 (17 reviews)
By Ricky Robinson Updated November 17, 2022

Cottage pie is a proper comfort food classic, but there are days when the thought of peeling, boiling, and mashing potatoes feels like too much effort. This version keeps all the flavour you want from a good cottage pie but uses sliced potatoes instead, which crisp up beautifully in the oven. You get a golden, crunchy topping without the extra work.

The filling is straightforward but full of flavour. Pancetta adds a salty richness to the beef mince, and the vegetables cook down until they are soft and sweet. Red wine and beef stock make the gravy deep and savoury, with Worcestershire sauce giving it that classic cottage pie taste. The whole thing simmers away until the gravy is thick and glossy, ready to be topped with potato slices and baked until crisp.

The beauty of sliced potatoes is that they turn golden and crispy on top whilst staying tender underneath.
Homestyle Favourite Crispy Cottage Pie recipe image
Homestyle Favourite Crispy Cottage Pie

This recipe is great when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending too much time on preparation. The crispy potato topping provides a lovely contrast to the rich meat filling, and every bite has that satisfying crunch you would not get from mashed potato. It is a simple way to make cottage pie feel a bit different.

The vegetables in the base soften slowly in the garlic oil, building up a proper depth of flavour before the meat even goes in. Once everything is combined and simmered, the filling becomes tender and rich. The sliced potatoes on top are brushed with garlic oil and seasoned well, which helps them crisp up nicely in the oven. Serve this straight from the dish whilst it is still bubbling hot, and you have got yourself a meal that is both comforting and a bit special.

Homestyle Favourite Crispy Cottage Pie

Beef Pancetta Potato
Total Time 1 hr 35 min
Servings 6 servings
Calories 485 cal
Protein 32g

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large Pan
  • Knife
  • Ovenproof Dish
  • Pastry Brush
  • Oven

Instructions

  1. 1
    Heat 2 tablespoons of garlic oil in a pan, then add the onion, carrots, celery, turnip, garlic, and thyme and cook for 15-20 minutes. Stir now and again so it doesn't catch.
  2. 2
    When everything has softened nicely, add in the pancetta and cook until crispy.
  3. 3
    Add the minced beef, breaking it up as you go, and cook until browned.
  4. 4
    Next, mix in the flour, tomato purée and wine, then increase the heat and cook for a few minutes. Stir in the stock, peas, and Worcestershire sauce.
  5. 5
    Get your oven ready by preheating to 220C (200C Fan).
  6. 6
    Meanwhile, bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes. By the end of this time the gravy should be lovely and thick.
  7. 7
    Spoon the meat mixture into an ovenproof dish and then you can get on with preparing the topping.
  8. 8
    For the topping, simply slice the potatoes and then lay the slices on top of the meat mixture, overlapping them slightly.
  9. 9
    Brush the remaining garlic oil over the potatoes and season generously.
  10. 10
    Pop the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-45 minutes, until the potatoes are a lovely golden colour and crisp on top.
Ricky Robinson - Recipe Author
Ricky Robinson

Home cook sharing delicious recipes with a focus on flavour and simplicity.

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Good to know

Tips &
Extras

Keep it fresh

Storage

Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 180C until piping hot throughout.

Plate it up

Serving Suggestions

Serve with steamed greens or a simple side salad to balance the richness of the pie.

Rate & Review

4.6 • 17 reviews

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