Cottage Pie With Leeks

Cottage Pie With Leeks
  • Author: BBC Food

This hearty cottage pie is a comforting classic that brings together flavorful minced beef in a rich tomato sauce, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. The tender beef mixture is simmered to perfection, while the velvety mash adds a deliciously golden finish to this satisfying dish. Serve piping hot and enjoy the cozy flavors of this timeless favorite.

— Constant Cookbook

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 560g/1¼lb minced beef
  • 1 x 400g/14oz can tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • 290ml/10fl oz beef stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • knob butter
  • 2 leeks
  • 4 large King Edward
  • splash cream
  • large knob butter
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large lidded pan. Add the onion and carrot and fry over a medium heat for five minutes until soft.
  • Add the minced beef to the pan and fry for a few minutes to brown the mince all over.
  • Add the tomatoes, tomato purée, beef stock, bay leaf and thyme to the pan.
  • Simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • In the meantime, for the mash topping, chop the potatoes into quarters and boil in a pan of boiling salted water for about 10-15 minutes, until tender.
  • When the potatoes are cooked, drain the water and mash the potatoes well.
  • Add cream, butter and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.
  • After 30 minutes cooking time, taste the meat, and add ketchup and Worcestershire sauce if desired. If the mixture is too wet, cook for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid.
  • In a separate pan, heat a little butter. Add the leeks and fry until softened, but not coloured.
  • Transfer the meat into an ovenproof dish and layer the leeks on top.
  • Arrange spoonfuls of the mash on top of the meat and leeks and use a wet spatula to smooth out the edges. Cook for about 30 minutes, until the potato is crisp and golden-brown around the edges. Serve hot.

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Cook Time

1H

Prep Time

PT30M

Yield

Serves 4