How to Make Cottage Pie

Cottage pie is a classic British dish that is both hearty and delicious. It is made with a layer of ground beef and vegetables topped with a layer of mashed potatoes. The dish is then baked in the oven until the potatoes are golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Cottage pie is a relatively simple dish to make, but there are a few tips that can help you achieve the best results.

Ingredients:

* 1 pound ground beef
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 2 celery stalks, chopped
* 1/2 cup frozen peas
* 1/2 cup beef broth
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 3 pounds potatoes, peeled and mashed
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/4 cup butter
* Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.
3. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook until softened.
4. Stir in the peas, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half.
5. Spread the beef mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
6. In a large bowl, mash the potatoes with the milk, butter, salt, and pepper.
7. Spread the mashed potatoes over the beef mixture.
8. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
9. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips:

* For a richer flavor, use ground chuck or sirloin instead of ground beef.
* If you don't have frozen peas, you can use fresh peas or canned peas.
* You can also add other vegetables to the filling, such as corn, green beans, or mushrooms.
* If you don't have time to make mashed potatoes, you can use instant mashed potatoes.
* Cottage pie can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.

Variations:

* Shepherd's Pie: Shepherd's pie is a variation of cottage pie that is made with ground lamb instead of ground beef.
* Welsh Rarebit Pie: Welsh rarebit pie is a variation of cottage pie that is made with a cheese sauce instead of mashed potatoes.
* Chicken Pot Pie: Chicken pot pie is a variation of cottage pie that is made with chicken instead of ground beef.