Gordon Ramsay Cottage Pie Recipe

This Gordon Ramsay Cottage Pie Recipe is a rich and creamy recipe, which is made with ground beef and potatoes. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

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Gordon Ramsay Cottage Pie Recipe Ingredients

For the Filling:

• 1.5 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 750g ground beef
• 40g all-purpose flour
• 55g tomato paste
• 500ml beef stock
• 125ml red wine (or substitute with more stock and a splash of balsamic vinegar)
• 1 beef bouillon cube
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Topping:

• 1.2kg potatoes, peeled and cubed (starchy varieties like Maris Piper or Russet are best)
• 165ml warm milk
• 30g butter
• Salt to taste

For the Parmesan Crust (Optional):

• 20g grated parmesan
• 30g butter, melted

How To Make Gordon Ramsay Cottage Pie Recipe

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.
2. Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot. Increase the heat and cook, breaking the meat up with a spoon, until it is deeply browned all over.
3. Create the Gravy: Stir in the flour and tomato paste, cooking for another minute. Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the beef stock, bouillon cube, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves.
4. Simmer the Filling: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cook for at least 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
5. Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: While the filling simmers, place the cubed potatoes in a large pot of cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are very soft and easily pierced with a fork. Drain them well, then return to the pot and mash with the butter, warm milk, and salt until smooth and creamy.
6. Assemble the Pie: Let the meat filling cool slightly. Spoon it into a large baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top. Use a fork to create some texture on the surface of the mash. For the optional crust, sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the top and drizzle with melted butter.
7. Bake and Broil: Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes until the filling is bubbling and the top is golden. For an extra crispy, browned top, place the pie under a hot broiler for the final 2–3 minutes.
8. Rest and Serve: Let the cottage pie rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Why let the filling cool before topping? Allowing the meat filling to sit and cool for even 10 minutes helps it to firm up slightly. This makes it much easier to spread the mashed potato topping over it without it sinking in.
• What’s the best way to cook potatoes for mash? Always start the potatoes in cold, salted water. This ensures they cook more evenly from the outside in. Starting them in hot water can result in the outside turning mushy before the inside is fully cooked.
• How do I get a crispy top on my cottage pie? After spreading the mash, run a fork over the entire surface to create ridges and texture. These little peaks and valleys will catch the heat and become much crispier than a completely smooth surface.
• What’s the secret to a restaurant-level crust? The final 2-3 minutes under a hot broiler (grill) is the key. It melts and caramelizes the optional Parmesan and butter, creating a deeply golden, savory, and irresistible crust.

What To Serve With Cottage Pie

This classic all-in-one dish is perfect on its own, but also pairs wonderfully with:

• Steamed green vegetables like peas, broccoli, or green beans
• Braised red cabbage
• Crusty bread to mop up the gravy

How To Store Cottage Pie

• Refrigerate: Allow the cottage pie to cool completely. Cover the dish with foil or transfer slices to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze the cooked and cooled pie, either whole or in slices. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and then foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.

Cottage Pie Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 280kcal
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Protein: 20g
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 6g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

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