Cottage Pie (Shepherd's Pie with Beef)

Ingredients

• 2 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1½ cups beef stock
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2.5 lb potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup milk

Instructions

1. 1

   Boil the potatoes until tender, then mash with the butter and milk, and season.

2. 2

   Brown the beef in a large skillet and drain the excess fat.

3. 3

   Add the onion and carrots, and cook until softened.

4. 4

   Stir in the tomato paste and flour, and cook for 1 minute.

5. 5

   Add the stock, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme, and simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened.

6. 6

   Stir in the peas and season to taste.

7. 7

   Spread the meat mixture in a baking dish, top evenly with the mashed potatoes, and fluff with a fork for texture.

8. 8

   Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbling at the edges.