Irish Cottage Pie

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!

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).

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

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

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

• 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.

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

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.

• 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.

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 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!

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.

More St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

Instant Pot Guinness Beef Stew
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Classic Irish Coffee Recipe
Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Enjoy a Cozy Taste of Ireland

Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or are in the mood for something warm and hearty, Irish Cottage Pie is the perfect cozy dinner.

The rich, beefy filling and creamy mashed potato topping come together in the most delicious way. I hope it becomes a favorite in your home, too!

If you make this Irish Beef Cottage Pie let me know! Just leave a comment below with a star rating. I'd love to hear from you!

5 from 1 vote

Print

Irish Cottage Pie

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

1 hr

Total Time

1 hr 20 mins

 

Irish Cottage Pie is a cozy, hearty dish made with ground beef, vegetables, and a rich Guinness gravy, all topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Baked until golden and bubbly, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a festive St. Patrick’s Day meal.

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Irish

Keyword: ground beef casserole, mashed potatoes, st patrick's day

Servings: 6

Calories: 450 kcal

Author: Sandy Clifton

Ingredients

For the Mashed Potato Topping

• 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

For the Filling

• 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

Instructions

Make the Mashed Potatoes

1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (about 15 minutes).
2. Drain and mash with butter, milk, and cheese (if using).
3. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.

Cook the Filling

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
3. Stir in the onion, carrots, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, until softened.

Build the Flavor

1. Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Pour in the Guinness and beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
3. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to combine.

Simmer

1. Let the mixture simmer for 15–20 minutes, until slightly thickened and flavorful.
2. Stir in the frozen peas, then remove from the heat.

Assemble & Bake

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Spread the beef mixture into a baking dish, then spoon the mashed potatoes on top, spreading to cover. Use a fork (like a rake) to create ridges for a crispier finish.

3. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden on top and bubbling around the edges.

4. Let cool slightly before serving.

Recipe Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approx. Nutrition per serving: Calories: 450 | Total Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 750mg | Carbohydrates: 38g | Fiber: 5g | Sugars: 5g | Protein: 24g