Slow Cooker Cottage Pie
Ingredients
- 1 tspolive oil
- 1 largered onion
- 2 largecarrots
- 2 largefield mushrooms
- 1 clovegarlic
- 450 gbeef mince
- 1400 g tin chopped tomatoes
- 1rich beef stock pot melt
or a beef stock cube
- 2 tbsptomato puree
- for the mash: 3 large potatoes
a splash of milk and a knob of butter, peeled
Directions
- 1
Fry the red onion in the oil, and once softened add the garlic and fry for one minute more.
- 2
Add the mince to the pan, turn up the heat and cook until browned through. Drain any fat in the pan away and add the mince and onion mixture to the slow cooker.
- 3
Chop the carrots and mushrooms and add them to the pot.
- 4
Add the tin of chopped tomatoes, rich beef stock pot or beef stock cube, tomato puree, stir well, season it with salt and peppr, and cook on high for 4-5 hours.
- 5
When there is approx 2 hours left of the cooking time, make the mash. Simmer the potatoes for approx 20 mins until softened, then add the milk and butter and mash with a potato masher.
- 6
Spoon the mash on top of the filling in the slow cooker pot. Cook for the rest of the time remaining.
- 7
Preheat your grill/broiler and put the slow cooker pot in a roasting tray, then put it under the grill for 20 minutes to brown the top of the cottage pie. Warning: only do this if you have a sear and stew type slow cooker with a metal pot, or a pot which the instructions say can be used under the grill, or, if you are a bit reckless like me, an old slow cooker pot that you don't mind losing if it cracks.
Slow Cooker Cottage Pie
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About this Recipe
Craving that ultimate comfort food on a chilly evening but short on hands-on time? This Slow Cooker Cottage Pie delivers a rich, savory beef filling topped with creamy mashed potato, all made effortlessly in your slow cooker. It's the perfect family-friendly meal for when you need hearty sustenance without fuss.
Why This Cottage Pie Works So Well
The magic of this recipe lies in the slow cooker. Long, gentle cooking transforms simple beef mince, red onion, carrots, and mushrooms into a deeply flavorful, tender filling that practically melts in your mouth. This method ensures every bite is infused with a rich tomato and beef stock sauce, requiring minimal effort from you while building maximum flavor.
What truly sets this Slow Cooker Cottage Pie apart is its sheer ease and comforting appeal. You’ll achieve that classic, soul-satisfying taste with the convenience of set-it-and-forget-it cooking. The beef filling becomes incredibly tender and flavorful, providing a robust base for the light, fluffy mashed potato topping. This dish isn't just a meal; it's a warm hug on a plate, delivering a hearty experience with every spoonful.
Customization & Variations
While the recipe shines as written, feel free to adapt it to your pantry. You could easily swap the field mushrooms for cremini or button mushrooms if that’s what you have on hand. For the rich beef stock pot melt, a standard beef stock cube works perfectly well in a pinch. If you're looking to sneak in more vegetables, feel free to add a handful of frozen peas or corn to the beef mixture during the last hour of cooking for extra color and nutrition.
This Slow Cooker Cottage Pie is ideally suited for a cozy family dinner on a weeknight or a relaxed weekend meal. Serve it simply on its own, or with a side of steamed green beans or a crisp green salad to round out the plate. It's a true winter warmer designed to bring everyone to the table.