Name: Irish Cottage Pie
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds Potatoes, (peeled and cubed); 4 Tablespoons Butter; ½ cup Milk; ½ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese ((optional, but delicious)); Salt and Pepper, (to taste); 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil; 1 pound Lean Ground Beef; 1 small Onion, (diced); 2 Carrots, (diced); 2 cloves Garlic, (minced); 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste; 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce; 1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme ((or ½ tsp dried)); 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt; 1 teaspoon Black Pepper; 1 cup Guinness Stout; 1 cup Beef Broth; 1 Tablespoon Flour, (to thicken); 1 cup Frozen Peas

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Irish Cottage Pie is comfort food at its coziest, with ground beef and veggies in a rich Guinness gravy, all topped with golden mashed potatoes. This is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal that’s just right for chilly evenings or when you’re craving a meat and potatoes dinner. It’s a flavorful, satisfying meal that brings a taste of Ireland right to your dinner table!

Irish Cottage Pie in a white bowl with a spoon.

Ground Beef Cottage Pie

Warm, hearty, and topped with golden mashed potatoes—this Irish Guinness Cottage Pie is a classic comfort food favorite. A perfect dish for cozy nights or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations!

Why We Love This Recipe

• Deep, savory flavor thanks to beef broth, Guinness and Worcestershire.
• Creamy mashed potato topping that bakes up golden and crisp, with a cheesy option.
• Easy to make ahead and perfect for freezing.
• Comfort food favorite that’s great for dinner or a St. Patrick’s Day meal.
• Can be made with ground turkey or ground chicken (See FAQs).

Irish Cottage Pie in a baking dish after baking with a scoop taken out

This beef and potatoes casserole is sometimes called Shepherd’s Pie (though technically it’s not).

Made with seasoned ground beef, tender vegetables, and a savory Guinness-infused gravy, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden and bubbly.

Ingredients in Cottage Pie

Irish Cottage Pie ingredients shot
See recipe card for exact amounts.
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
Potatoes
Butter
Milk
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Optional)
Salt & Black Pepper
For the Beef & Vegetable Filling:
Olive Oil
Ground Beef
Onion
Carrots
Garlic
Tomato Paste
Worcestershire Sauce
Fresh Thyme (or Dried)
Salt & Black Pepper
Guinness Stout
Beef Broth
Flour
Frozen Peas

How to Make Irish Cottage Pie

boiling, straining, mashing potatoes
Make the Mashed Potatoes
• Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (about 15 minutes).
• Drain and mash with butter and milk.

cheese in mashed potatoes, stirred, ground beef in skillet
• Add the cheese (if using), and add the salt & pepper.
• Stir well, then set aside.
Cook the Filling
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the ground beef.

cooking ground beef in skillet, onion, carrots, garlic added, stirred
• Cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat
• Add the onion, carrots, and garlic. Stir.
• Cook for about 5 minutes, until softened.

seasonings added to beef in skillet, stirred, Guinness and beef broth added
Build the Flavor
• Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Stir mixture well.
• Pour in the Guinness and beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

flour added to beef and broth mixture in skillet, stirred, peas added
• Sprinkle in the flour and stir to combine.
Simmer
• Let the mixture simmer for 15–20 minutes, until slightly thickened and flavorful.
• Stir in the frozen peas, then remove from the heat.

beef filling in baking dish, mashed potatoes on top, after baking.
Assemble & Bake
• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Spread the beef mixture into a baking dish.
• Spoon the mashed potatoes on top, spreading to cover. Use a fork to create ridges (like a rake) for a crispier finish.
• Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden on top and bubbling around the edges.
• Let cool slightly before serving.

Recipe Tips & Variations

No Guinness? Substitute with any stout beer you like, or use more beef broth and an extra splash of Worcestershire.
Add more depth: A dash of balsamic vinegar or a little Dijon mustard enhances the flavor.
Want a cheesy topping? Sprinkle shredded cheese over the mashed potatoes before baking.
Use leftover mashed potatoes: A great shortcut if you have some on hand! You can also use instant mashed potatoes.

Irish Cottage Pie in a baking dish after baking

Irish Cottage Pie FAQ

Can I make this without alcohol?
Yes! Just replace the Guinness with an extra cup of beef broth and add an extra splash of Worcestershire for more flavor.
Is this the same as Shepherd’s Pie?
Not quite. Shepherd’s Pie is traditionally made with lamb. Cottage Pie uses ground beef. My mom made this ground beef recipe and called it Shepherd’s Pie. I call it Shepherd’s Pie because that is what I grew up with. But for this post, I wanted to be more authentic so I use the proper name. But hey, call it whatever you want!
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead?
You can! It’ll have a lighter flavor but still taste great. When I use ground turkey, I swap beef broth for chicken broth and replace the Guinness with more broth. I also like to add poultry herbs (rosemary & sage) and a little chicken bouillon for extra flavor.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Absolutely, just assemble the pie, cover it, and refrigerate up to 2 days before baking.

What to Serve With Irish Cottage Pie

This hearty dish pairs wonderfully with:
• Irish soda bread or crusty sourdough
• Instant Pot broccoli or sautéed green beans
• A simple creamy cucumber salad.
• And of course, a pint of Guinness!

Irish Cottage Pie in a white bowl with a spoon.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

To Store: After cooling, place leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes or microwave in 1-minute intervals until hot. Or use an air fryer.
To Freeze: You can freeze this baked or unbaked for up to 3 months wrap well or use freezer-safe airtight container). If baking from frozen, add 10–15 minutes to the bake time.