Easy meat cottage pie

This comforting cottage pie is a simple, family-friendly dish with a flavorful twist.

Savory minced beef is gently cooked with sweet corn and colorful bell peppers. The meat is layered with a creamy mash made from a blend of sweet and regular potatoes, seasoned with smoky paprika for a rich, hearty taste and finished with a sprinkle of cheese.

Baked in the oven until golden and crispy on top, this easy cottage pie delivers cozy flavors, a satisfying crunch, and a delicious balance of sweet, smokey and savory in every bite.

Ingredients: (for 4 portions – my tray is 20/20 cm)

• one medium sweet potato (around 300–400 g)
• 200 g yellow potatoes
• 1 heaped tablespoon smoked paprika (spicy or sweet, to taste)
• 1 heaped tablespoon Mexican spice mix (or a grill seasoning mix)
• 40 g tomato paste
• 50 g grated cheese (I used Gouda)
• 20 g butter
• one yellow onion
• one bell pepper
• 400 g minced beef
• 150 g canned corn (drained weight)
• salt and pepper, to taste
• a little oil
• fresh parsley (optional)

Preparation:

Clean, wash, and chop the vegetables as shown in the image below.

In a pot of salted water, boil the potatoes together (both the yellow potatoes and the sweet potato) until tender.

Meanwhile, prepare the meat filling: heat the oil in a large pan, add the minced beef, and cook until nicely browned. Then add the onion and bell pepper, stirring well to combine.

Cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and the bell pepper starts to soften. Add the drained corn, smoked paprika, and tomato paste, stir well, then pour in one cup of water. Continue cooking until the liquid has reduced and the filling is thick with no excess moisture remaining.

By this time, the potatoes should be cooked, so drain them well and add the butter, Mexican spice mix, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth using a potato masher.

Preheat the oven to 220°C and allow it to fully heat up.

Prepare the baking dish. Divide the mashed potatoes into two equal portions. Spread one portion evenly over the bottom of the dish, smoothing it out well. Add the meat filling, then top with the remaining mashed potatoes, spreading them evenly. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top in an even, uniform layer.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 8–10 minutes, just until the cheese has melted and turned lightly golden.

Optionally, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

If you try the recipe, let me know how you liked it! 

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