Easy Irish Cottage Pie Filling Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does cottage pie contain gravy? ›

The main difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd's pie is cottage pie uses ground beef, and Shepherd's pie uses ground lamb. Both pies are cooked with vegetables and gravy and baked under a layer of mashed potatoes. To make Shepherd's pie using this recipe, simply substitute ground lamb.

To stop the mash leaking into the cottage pie filling below (and if you have time), let the meat cool before adding the potato topping. This recipe can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge well wrapped in cling film or kitchen foil.

I'd say either your mash or cottage pie sauce isn't thick enough. Do you add milk to your mashed potato? I've found that mash made with no milk added stays on top far better.

Fruit, sugar, cornstarch, acid, extras. These are the only things you need to remember to turn out a perfect pie filling.

How to Substitute Tomato Sauce or Puree for Tomato Paste. You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency.

I never shy away from the excuse to celebrate anything Irish. What's not to love about shepherd's pie? It's got ground beef, or lamb, with mushrooms, onion, corn, peas and carrots cooked in a delicious gravy sauce that's topped with a mashed potato crust that's baked in the oven.

Classic cottage pie recipe

Meanwhile, peel, halve and boil the potatoes for 20 minutes or until soft. Drain and allow to steam for 10 minutes. Preheat the oven to gas 4, 180°C, 160°C. Add the tomato puree, tinned tomatoes, stock cube, bay leaf and salt and pepper to the mince mixture.

The right consistency for a meat sauce that mash can sit on can leave the finished pie on the dry side. So we've gone with a jug of extra gravy because, let's face it, who doesn't love extra gravy? See the full recipe for our next level cottage pie.

Your pie's filling leaks because of the cracks in the crust, also resulting in a burnt pecan pie. Moreover, if you are using a ready-made crust, then it might come with holes in it. Whether you have made your own crust or purchased one, here are some methods that can save your dessert.

Why does my shepherd's pie fall apart? ›

How do you keep shepherd's pie from falling apart? Make sure your casserole dish is the right size. You should also have firm mashed potatoes so it won't fall apart when you're serving. As you put the topping on, don't press too hard, using a gentle touch to smooth it out.

Experiment with different thickeners

If you usually use flour to thicken your apple pie and it's not doing the job, try something different: cornstarch, tapioca, and arrowroot are other established fruit pie thickeners. For more on specific thickeners and how to use them, see our Pie Filling Thickeners Guide.

Shepherd's pie comes to us from England, and is traditionally made with lamb or mutton. Here in the states we are more of a beef eating culture than a lamb eating one, and when one is served "shepherd's pie" here, it is most often made with ground beef.

Cottage cheese is made from the curds of various levels of pasteurized cow's milk, including nonfat, reduced-fat, or regular milk. It's also offered in different curd sizes, including small, medium, or large, and is available in creamed, whipped, lactose-free, reduced sodium, or sodium-free varieties.

There are four ingredients in a standard pie crust: flour, fat, liquid, and salt.

Pastry is a type of dough made with flour, water and shortening. Baked pastry dough can be sweet or savory, and consumed alone or with fillings.