Description
Guinness Cottage Pie is a hearty and comforting Irish-inspired dish featuring a rich ground beef and vegetable filling simmered in Guinness beer, topped with creamy mashed potatoes, and baked until golden brown. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, this recipe blends savory flavors with a touch of maltiness from the stout.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meat Filling:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 cup peas
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup Guinness beer
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
- 3 cups potatoes (peeled and chopped)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes: Boil the peeled and chopped potatoes in salted water for about 15–20 minutes until tender. Drain the water and mash the potatoes thoroughly with butter, milk, and season with salt and pepper for smooth and creamy texture.
- Cook the filling: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Add the beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is fully browned and no pink remains.
- Add vegetables and flavor: Stir in diced carrots, tomato paste, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook to combine and allow flavors to meld for a couple of minutes.
- Add the Guinness: Pour in the Guinness beer and beef broth mixture. Let the filling simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce reduces and slightly thickens. Add peas near the end of simmering to keep them tender and vibrant.
- Assemble the pie: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the prepared meat filling evenly in a baking dish. Top the filling with the mashed potatoes, spreading them smoothly over the surface.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the mashed potato topping turns golden brown and slightly crisp at the edges. Remove from oven and let rest briefly before serving.
Notes
- For extra richness, consider adding a splash of cream or grated cheese to the mashed potatoes.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground lamb for a traditional twist.
- Use fresh or frozen peas depending on availability; add frozen peas last to avoid overcooking.
- Let the filling simmer slowly to develop deep flavors from the Guinness and broth.
- Leftover Guinness Cottage Pie can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in an oven for best texture.
