Gordon Ramsay Cottage Pie Recipe

Introduction

This classic Gordon Ramsay Cottage Pie is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. With a rich beef filling and creamy mashed potato topping, it’s an easy recipe that delivers big flavor.

Ingredients

• 1.5 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 750g ground beef
• 40g all-purpose flour
• 55g tomato paste
• 500ml beef stock
• 125ml red wine (or substitute with stock and balsamic vinegar)
• 1 bouillon cube
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1.2kg potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 165ml warm milk
• 30g butter (for mash)
• Salt (for mash)
• 20g grated Parmesan cheese
• 30g butter (for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic, chopped carrot, celery, and sauté until soft and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
3. Step 3: Stir in the flour and tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes. Then add red wine, beef stock, bouillon cube, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 30 minutes until the mixture thickens.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
5. Step 5: Drain the potatoes and mash them with warm milk, butter, and salt until smooth and creamy.
6. Step 6: Remove the bay leaves from the meat mixture and let it cool slightly. Spoon the meat filling into a baking dish.
7. Step 7: Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat, use a fork to create texture on top. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and dot with butter over the mash.
8. Step 8: Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbling. For a crispier top, broil for an additional 2–3 minutes.
9. Step 9: Let the pie rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your classic cottage pie!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add finely chopped mushrooms to the beef mixture while browning.
• You can substitute ground beef with ground lamb for a traditional Shepherd’s Pie.
• Use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for a twist on the topping.
• Make the filling a day ahead to deepen the flavors and save time on the day of serving.

Storage

Store leftover cottage pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 180°C (350°F) until warmed through to maintain the crispy potato topping. You can also freeze the pie for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of meat for this pie?

Yes, ground lamb can be used to make a Shepherd’s Pie instead, or a mixture of beef and pork for added flavor.

How do I prevent the mashed potato topping from drying out?

Adding warm milk and butter while mashing helps keep the potatoes creamy. Also, spreading the mash evenly and not too thin results in a moist topping after baking.

Gordon Ramsay Cottage Pie Recipe

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Gordon Ramsay’s Cottage Pie is a comforting and hearty British classic featuring a rich, savory ground beef filling simmered with vegetables and red wine, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked to golden perfection with a crispy parmesan crust.

• Author: Rita
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Filling

• 1.5 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 750g ground beef
• 40g all-purpose flour
• 55g tomato paste
• 500ml beef stock
• 125ml red wine (or substitute with stock + balsamic vinegar)
• 1 bouillon cube
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mashed Potato Topping

• 1.2kg potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 30g butter (for mash)
• 165ml warm milk
• Salt to taste
• 20g grated parmesan cheese
• 30g butter (for topping)

Instructions

1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic, finely chopped carrot, celery, and onion (note: original recipe includes onion as referenced in instructions) and sauté until softened and fragrant.
2. Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until browned evenly, breaking up any lumps with a spoon.
3. Add Seasonings and Simmer: Stir in flour and tomato paste to coat the beef and vegetables. Pour in red wine, beef stock, crumble in the bouillon cube, add Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
4. Prepare Mashed Potatoes: While the filling simmers, boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and mash with butter, warm milk, and salt until smooth and creamy.
5. Assemble the Pie: Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs from the meat mixture and let it cool slightly. Spoon the meat filling into a baking dish and spread it evenly.
6. Top with Mash: Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat layer using a spatula. Use a fork to create texture on the surface. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top and dot with additional butter.
7. Bake and Broil: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the assembled pie for 25–30 minutes until the top starts to turn golden. Then, broil for 2–3 minutes to get a crisp and browned crust. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
8. Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the cottage pie rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps to set the layers and enhances flavor.

Notes

• You can substitute red wine with additional beef stock and a splash of balsamic vinegar for a similar depth of flavor.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with lentils or mushrooms and use vegetable stock.
• Parmesan adds a delicious savory crust but can be omitted if dairy-free.
• Leftovers reheat well and often taste better the next day as flavors meld.
• For added texture, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top before baking along with parmesan.

Keywords: Gordon Ramsay, Cottage Pie, Ground Beef, Mashed Potato, British Comfort Food, Beef Pie, Homemade Pie