Beef & Spinach Cottage Pie With Cheesy Mash

Name: Beef & Spinach Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4 potatoes (medium/large); 80 g butter; 4 tbs milk; 1/2 tsp salt; 80 g cheddar cheese (grated); 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 brown onions (medium); 4 garlic cloves (or 4 tsp minced garlic); 2 stalks celery (diced finely); 2 carrots (medium/large, peeled and grated); 500 g beef mince; 140 g tomato paste; 2 tsp beef stock powder (or use 1/2 cup liquid beef stock and omit the water); 1/2 cup water; 100 g baby spinach leaves

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A family favourite Beef & Spinach Cottage Pie topped with cheesy mashed potato!

This quick and easy dinner is loaded with vegetables and will be on the table in just 35 minutes!

A mashed potato topped beef pie on a plate.

This post is sponsored by Hello Fresh

If you're looking for a quick, easy and comforting family dinner, then this classic Beef & Spinach Cottage Pie is just what you need.

A rich veggie-packed beef filling topped with cheesy mashed potato and then grilled until golden and delicious!

Just like my Devilled Sausages, Beef Burgers and Mexican Tortilla Lasagne recipes, this simple pie is perfect for feeding hungry families on busy weeknights!

Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

This simple beef cottage pie is such a favourite in our house!

Kid-friendly - this classic recipe is a guaranteed winner with the kids! The flavour and texture makes it perfect for toddlers and kids (even the fussiest of eaters love it!).
Gluten-free - beef cottage pie is naturally gluten-free making it a great option for those following a gluten-free diet.
Ready in 35 minutes - perfect for busy weeknights, this beef pie will be ready to serve in just over half an hour!
Made from basic ingredients - using pantry and fridge staple ingredients makes this family dinner a budget-friendly option.
Freezer-friendly - found yourself with leftovers? No problem! Store them in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

An overhead shot of a cottage pie being cut.

What You Need

Our beef cottage pie is made entirely from basic ingredients.

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

For The Cheesy Mash

The ingredients for cheesy mashed potato.

Potatoes - 4 medium/large, peeled and chopped into chunks. Choose a variety of potatoes suitable for mashing (such as white Sebago, Desiree, Dutch Cream or Pontiac potatoes).
Butter - use salted or unsalted butter.
Milk - while you can use skim/light milk, full cream milk is best as it gives a richer, creamier taste.
Salt - just a pinch.
Cheese - mix grated cheddar cheese through the mashed potato (and add an additional sprinkle over the top before grilling for the ultimate cheesy finish!).

For The Beef & Spinach Filling

Olive oil.
Onions - 4 medium brown onions, finely diced.
Garlic - you can use fresh garlic cloves and crush them yourself, or use jarred minced garlic. Note: 1 teaspoon of minced garlic = 1 fresh clove.
Celery - use 2 celery stalks, wash and dice finely.
Carrots - use 2 medium/large carrots, peel then grate.
Beef mince - you can use regular or lean beef mince for this recipe.
Tomato paste - for a rich and intense tomato flavour.
Beef stock powder - use a good quality brand (such as Vegeta)
Baby spinach leaves - these will wilt down to virtually nothing once heated with the beef filling (perfect for fussy eaters!).

Equipment Required

To make this Beef & Spinach Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash, you will need:

Medium saucepan
Frying pan
Baking dish
Oven/grill.

Step By Step Instructions

It's SO easy to make beef cottage pie at home!

Just 15 minutes prep time and ready to eat in just 35 minutes!

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

Step 1 - Prepare The Cheesy Mash

Bring a saucepan of lightly salted water to the boil.

Peeled and chopped potatoes on a chopping board.

Once boiling, add peeled and chopped potatoes and cook for 15 minutes or until they can be easily pierced with a fork.

Drain the potatoes and return to the saucepan.

Add the butter, milk and salt and mash until smooth.

Add the grated cheese and mix to combine.

Cover and set aside to keep warm.

Step 2 - Cook The Vegetables

In a large frying pan over high heat, add 1 tbs of olive oil and cook the diced onion and grated celery and carrot for 5 minutes or until softened.

Set aside in a separate bowl.

Step 3 - Brown The Beef

Wipe the frying pan clean and add 1 tbs of olive oil.

Cook the beef and minced garlic for 3 minutes, using a spoon to break up any chunks of mince as you go.

Step 3 - Cook The Filling

Add the tomato paste, water and beef stock powder. Stir to combine.

Tomato paste being added to browned beef mince.

Add the reserved vegetables and the baby spinach leaves and stir just until the spinach leaves have wilted.

Baby spinach on top of beef mince in a frying pan.

Step 4 - Grill The Cottage Pie

Pour the beef filling into a medium baking dish.

Spread the cheesy mash over the top of the filling.

Mashed potato and grated cheese in a round baking dish.

Add a little extra grated cheese on top before grilling (optional).

Place under a grill set to medium-high for 5-7 minutes or until the mash is golden.
TIP: If you don't have a separate grill, use the grill setting in your oven and place the baking dish on a high rack near the grill.

An overhead shot of a cheesy baked cottage beef pie.

Expert Tips

Choose a variety of potatoes that is best for mashing (such as white Sebago, Desiree or Pontiac potatoes).
Save time by starting to prep and cook the vegetables and mince while the potatoes cook.
You can use store bought liquid beef stock in place of the stock powder and water.
Setting the vegetables aside in a separate bowl allows the beef to brown.
If your beef filling seems too thick, add a small dash of water and stir through.
For an extra cheesy mash, add an additional sprinkle of grated cheese over the top of the mash before grilling.
You can place the baking dish directly under a grill. Alternatively, use the grill setting in your oven and place the dish on a high rack (close to the grill).
Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheat beef cottage pie in the microwave or oven until piping hot in the centre.
Freeze any leftovers for up to 3 months. Allow to defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Mashed potato on top of a beef and vegetable mince filling.

FAQs

What variety of potatoes are best for mashing?

Here in Australia, white Sebago, Desiree, Dutch Cream or Pontiac potatoes are great for mashing. Russet and Yukon Gold are also popular varieties for mashing but not readily available in Australia.

Is Cottage Pie the same as Shepherd's Pie?

While they're very similar, cottage pie traditionally is made with beef whereas Shepherd's pie is made with lamb.

What do you serve with Cottage Pie?

This beef cottage pie is packed with vegetables making it an entire meal on it's own! However, you can also serve it with garlic bread, lightly steamed greens, roasted vegetables or even a simple green salad.

A forkful of beef mince and mashed potato.

Need kid-approved, quick and easy family dinners on the table in no time?

Here's a few of my most popular simple weeknight dinners:

Hello Fresh

This Beef & Spinach Cottage Pie is available from Hello Fresh in their range of home delivered meal kits.

Order your meals via the Hello Fresh website or on their app and have them delivered straight to your door.

With over 20 easy to follow, pre-measured meals to choose from each week, Hello Fresh is a great option for those who would like to take the stress out of meal planning and grocery shopping, all the while saving time and money too!

Using fresh, seasonal ingredients, the Hello Fresh meal kits are the perfect option for easy and delicious customisable family meals.