Delicious Cottage Pie Recipe with Caramelized Onions

Name: Classic Cottage Pie Recipe
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 yellow onions, medium sized; sprinkle of salt; 2 pounds russet potatoes; 4 tablespoons butter; 1/2 cup potato water, milk, or buttermilk; 1 1/2 cups gruyere cheese, grated; 2-3 teaspoons salt (for the cooking water); 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (sub Beyond Meat or Impossible Burger for vegetarian); 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced; 1 teaspoon salt; 3/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup carrots, diced; 1 cup celery, diced; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons flour (can use gluten-free blend); 2 cups beef broth, chicken stock or vegetable broth; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (or vegan Worcestershire sauce); 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 2 bay leaves; 1 cup frozen peas

Cozy, comforting Cottage Pie made with sweet, velvety caramelized onions, veggies, ground meat, and a fluffy gruyère-potato crust. Gluten-Free.

cottage pie in cast iron skillet with mashed potato topping with spoon scooping some of the veggie meat filling.

Accept whatever comes to you, woven in the pattern of your destiny, for what could more aptly fit your needs? ― Marcus Aurelius

Comfort can be found in the kitchen. Somehow, when the world feels chaotic, doing something with my hands, like chopping, stirring, or even washing dishes, becomes an opportunity to ground and connect with myself. In the past, in the middle of catering events, when the world felt unbearably stressful and upside down, I would stop and ask myself a question. Can I feel peace in this moment? And in the asking itself, a space usually opened up, an invitation to come back into my body. Even a few moments felt like a miracle.

Though my life has thankfully been much less stressful since I left the catering profession, at times I still find my mind ruminating. About what has been, about what will come, about things I’ve said, or not said. Lately, I’ve been returning to my question every time I chop something, a secret ritual. The other day, I had to laugh because my whole being screamed NOOOOOO. But that was the truth, and then, I could. ✨

Why You’ll Love This Cottage Pie Recipe

Tonia‘s recipe for Cottage Pie is the kind of comfort food everyone loves. Rich, homey, and deeply savory, it's filled with tender vegetables and hearty meat (or easily made vegetarian), all layered with flavor from sweet caramelized onions and a touch of nutty gruyère in the mashed potato topping. It's perfect for entertaining - generous, satisfying, and designed to feed a crowd with ease. Even better, it can be made ahead or tucked into the freezer for later, making entertaining stress-free. And if you're lucky enough to have leftovers, they're just as delicious the next day, when all those comforting flavors have had time to meld.

What is the History of Cottage pie (Shepherd’s pie)?

While technically not the same, cottage pie and shepherd’s pie originated in the British Isles as a way to save resources and use up leftover meat, potatoes, and vegetables, with the potato topping being more frugal than a pastry topping. Traditionally, cottage pie is made with ground beef and shepherd’s pie with ground lamb. However you make it, cottage pie is a delightful way to take humble ingredients and transform them into something comforting and nourishing.

Ingredients & Variations

Yellow onions: Create the best caramelized onions with olive oil, yellow onions, and a pinch of salt (salt helps the onions cook faster!). This gives the cottage pie a rich, deep, and subtly sweet base.
Russet potatoes: For the fluffy mashed potato topping.
Gruyere cheese: Grated gruyere makes the mashed potato topping cheesy and utterly irresistible!
Butter and milk: To create the best creamy texture in the mashed potatoes. You can also substitute the milk with potato water or buttermilk.
Ground meat: Choose your favorite! To make this vegetarian, substitute with Beyond Meat or Impossible Burger.
Fresh rosemary: For cozy, winter flavor.
Carrots, celery, and garlic cloves: Add savory, aromatic, and subtly sweet flavor to the filling.
Flour: You can use a gluten-free blend if needed. Flour helps thicken the filling.
Broth: Use beef stock, chicken stock, or vegetable broth. Homemade broth deepens the flavor!
Tomato paste: Helps thicken the filling and imparts a deep, savory flavor.
Worcestershire sauce: For a savory, sweet, tangy flavor. Or use vegan Worcestershire sauce.
Balsamic vinegar: Adds acidity that brightens all of the flavors in the dish.
Bay leaves: Adds depth and aroma.
Frozen peas: For extra heartiness!

How to Make Cottage Pie

1. Prepare the caramelized onions. Slicing with the grain, cut the onions into 1/8-1/4-inch slices. Bring a large pan to medium-heat heat and add the onions (without oil). Stir for 5 minutes. Add olive oil and salt, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 30-40 minutes. Stir the onions every 5-10 minutes. They are done when they are dark golden and fragrant. You can prep the caramelized onions up to 3 days ahead.

wood spoon stirring caramelized onions in cast iron skillet.

Note: Preheat the oven to 350F.

2. Make the mashed potatoes. Prep the potatoes by peeling and slicing them into large chunks. Transfer to a large pot and cover with cold water until just covered. Add 2-3 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil, then cover, and reduce to medium-low heat. Simmer until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Reserve a cup of hot potato water, then drain the potatoes. Add the potatoes back to the pot, along with butter and 1/2 cup of potato water, milk, or buttermilk. Use a potato masher to combine until smooth. Stir in the cheese. Taste, and adjust the salt or add more liquid as needed.

3. Cook the meat. Bring a large oven-safe skillet, cast iron pan, or brasier to medium-high heat. Crumble the ground meat into the hot pan and let it sit without stirring for 5 minutes, or until browned. Sprinkle in the rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Stir, breaking the meat into smaller pieces. Then let it sit again to continue to brown. Repeat as needed until evenly cooked and lightly browned. Drain any excess oil and set the meat aside.

ground beef browning in cast iron skillet.

wooden spoon stirring carrots, celery, tomato paste, and flour in cast iron skillet.

4. Sauté the veggies. In the same pan, add carrots, celery, and garlic, and cook for 2 minutes over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of broth, cover, and simmer for 4 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to cook until the liquid evaporates. Stir in the flour, then add the remaining broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire, balsamic vinegar, and bay leaves. Stir until thick and bubbling, then turn off the heat.

cast iron skillet with cottage pie filling coming together - ground beef, peas, caramelized onions, broth, and veggies.

cast iron skillet with cottage pie filling with bay leaves.

5. Combine the filling. To the pan of veggies and gravy sauce, add the caramelized onions, sprinkling a little at a time while distributing them evenly. Then add the meat and peas. Smooth out the filling into an even layer.

6. Top with the mashed potato crust. Spoon the mashed potatoes onto the filling in mounds. Use the back of a large spoon to cover the filling completely. For a pretty presentation, I like to use a fork to create decorative lines across the surface. The ridges help the topping crisp up and turn golden.

spoon spreading mashed potatoes over cottage pie filling in cast iron skillet.

fork making grooves across mashed potato topping on cottage pie in cast iron skillet.

7. Bake. Place the cottage pie in the center of the oven on top of a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. The filling will bubble along the edges. Broil for 3-5 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy. Garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme sprigs or grated Parmesan cheese.

plate of cottage pie with veggie meat filling with mashed potato topping.

Chef’s Tips

Use a large, oven-proof pan. Prepare cottage pie in a 12-inch cast iron pan, brasier, oven-safe large saucepan, or 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
Adapt cottage pie for dietary preferences. Use gluten-free flour to make the pie gluten-free and use plant-based meat for a vegetarian version.
Meal prep for stress-free hosting! Make the caramelized onions up to 3 days ahead of time and assemble the pie the day before serving.
Don’t add the caramelized onions all at once. Caramelized onions tend to clump together, so I recommend adding a little at a time, incorporating them fully before adding more.
Place a baking sheet beneath the pie. This will catch pan drippings that spill over, while also keeping your oven clean!

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a leafy green salad: Fennel Orange Salad, White Cheddar Apple Salad, Holiday Crunch Salad, or Waldorf Salad.
Serve with bread: Sourdough, dinner rolls, toasted baguette, or rosemary olive bread.
Serve with a holiday side dish! See our 55+ Veggie-Forward Holiday Side Dishes for inspiration on meal pairings!

Make-Ahead & Storage

Meal prep the caramelized onions: You can prepare the caramelized onions up to 3 days ahead of time. Let cool, then store in an air-tight container in the fridge.
Assemble the cottage pie in advance: Assemble the cottage pie completely, including the mashed potato topping. Let it cool, cover it tightly, and store it in the fridge one day before serving. Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking as directed, adding an extra 5-10 minutes if needed.
Store leftovers in the fridge: Store leftover cottage pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze unbaked: Assemble in an oven-safe and freezer-safe dish, like a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Let it cool, then wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Freeze baked: Cook the pie as directed, then let it cool fully before wrapping and storing it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake at 375F for 45 minutes.

FAQs

What kind of meat is traditionally used in cottage pie?

Typically, cottage pie uses ground beef or beef mince. The main difference from shepherd’s pie is that shepherd’s pie uses ground lamb.

How long does cottage pie take to bake?

Cottage pie bakes for 30 minutes at 350F. You’ll also want to broil the mashed potato topping for 3-15 minutes.

Should you let cottage pie rest before serving?

Yes, it’s helpful to let cottage pie rest for anywhere from 5-20 minutes to let it set.

What vegetables go well in cottage pie?

Hearty, savory vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, and peas are ideal for cottage pie. For richer and deeper flavor, we caramelize the onions in this recipe.