# Easy Cottage Pie: Must-Have Comfort Food for Two

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/recipe-cottage-pie-for-two/
- Published: 2026-10-23T20:12:53-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

This Easy Cottage Pie is a perfect dinner for two or three people. The ground beef
filling, made entirely from scratch, is rich and a little tangy, with a hint of 
sweetness from the carrots and the onions. It’s so good that you’ll want to eat 
it with a spoon before it goes into the oven. And the potato topping is buttery 
and creamy, and glorious.

 * **Course** Dinner
 * **Cuisine** American
 * **Prep Time** 10 minutes
 * **Cook Time** 45 minutes
 * **Resting Time** 10 minutes
 * **Total Time** 1 hour 5 minutes
 * **Servings** 2 to 3 servings
 * **Calories** 438 kcal

## **Ingredients**

### **Special Equipment**

 * 7×5-inch Baking Dish

### **Potato Topping**

 * 1 large russet potato* chopped
 * Salt and pepper
 * 2 tablespoons (1oz) butter
 * 1 tablespoon milk or cream
 * 1 large egg yolk

### **Ground Beef Filling**

 * 1/2 pound ground beef
 * 1 teaspoon olive oil
 * 1/2 medium onion diced (about 1/2 cup)
 * 1 medium carrot diced
 * 1 garlic clove pressed or minced
 * 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
 * 1 tablespoon (8g) all-purpose flour
 * 2 teaspoons ketchup or tomato paste
 * 3/4 cup chicken broth
 * 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
 * 1/4 cup frozen peas

## Instructions

 * Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 7×5-inch baking dish. Set aside.

### **Start Your Potatoes**

 * Place chopped potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water. Add 1/4 teaspoon
   salt. Bring potatoes to a simmer and cook until fork-tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
   Drain, cover, and set aside.

### **Make the Filling**

 * While your potatoes cook, in a medium skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef
   until well-browned, breaking up the meat as you go. Drain the fat and transfer
   the hamburger to a plate. 
 * Return the pan to the stove and heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and carrot
   and cook until the onions soften and turn translucent around the edges, about
   5 minutes. Add garlic and thyme and cook for 30 seconds.
 * Stir in flour and ketchup/tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in
   the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 
   to 5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in hamburger, peas, and
   salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish, 
   smooth it into an even layer, and set aside.

### **Finish Potatoes**

 * Use a fork or potato masher to mash potatoes until smooth. Add butter and stir
   until butter is completely incorporated. Repeat with the milk/cream—salt and 
   pepper to taste. Finally, add the egg yolk and stir until well combined. Spoon
   potatoes over your meat mixture and spread evenly over the top. If your dish 
   is full, place it on a baking sheet to catch any drips while it cooks.
 * Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the potatoes are lightly golden. Allow to cool
   for 10 to 15 minutes before serving, and enjoy!

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