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Gordon Ramsay Cottage Pie Recipe

Gordon Ramsay Cottage Pie recipe

Gordon Ramsay’s Cottage Pie is a traditional British dish featuring minced beef cooked in a thick, rich gravy with carrots, onions, and garlic. The beef filling is topped with a smooth, buttery mashed potato layer and baked until crispy and golden. Unlike Shepherd’s Pie, which uses lamb, Cottage Pie is made with beef.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Beef Filling

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (minced beef)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ cup red wine (optional, for depth)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups beef stock
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, to thicken)

For the Mashed Potato Topping

  • 2 lbs (900g) potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup heavy cream or milk
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup grated cheddar cheese (optional, for extra flavor)

For Garnish & Serving

  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Extra cracked black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Beef Filling

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
  2. Add onions and carrots, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up until browned.
  5. Mix in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Stir well.
  6. Pour in red wine (if using) and cook for 2 minutes until reduced.
  7. Add beef stock and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
  8. Optional: Mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and stir in to thicken the gravy.

Step 2: Make the Mashed Potato Topping

  1. Boil potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender.
  2. Drain and mash with butter, cream (or milk), salt, and black pepper until smooth.
  3. Optional: Stir in grated cheddar cheese for a richer topping.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Transfer beef filling into a baking dish.
  3. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the beef layer, using a fork to create texture.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes until golden and slightly crispy on top.
  5. Optional: Broil for 5 minutes for extra browning.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

  1. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.