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Irish Cottage Pie in a baking dish with wooden spoon

Irish Cottage Pie

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
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
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

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