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Hearty Irish Beef and Guinness Cottage Pie Recipe with Easy Herb Crust

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A comforting and hearty cottage pie featuring a rich beef and Guinness filling topped with a creamy herb-infused mashed potato crust that crisps beautifully.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds (680g) ground beef (preferably 80/20)
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 1 cup (240ml) Guinness stout
  • 1 cup (240ml) beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds (900g) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Place peeled and chopped Yukon Gold potatoes into a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer until tender, about 15–20 minutes. Test by piercing with a fork.
  2. While potatoes cook, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and carrots, sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Increase heat to high, crumble in ground beef and brown thoroughly, breaking it up with a spoon, about 8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
  5. Sprinkle flour evenly over the mixture and stir well to coat.
  6. Pour in Guinness stout slowly while stirring. Add beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
  7. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 30 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally. If too runny near the end, add a bit more flour and stir.
  8. Drain cooked potatoes thoroughly and return to pot. Add butter, milk, chopped parsley, and chives. Mash until creamy but still a bit rustic.
  9. Season mashed potatoes with salt and pepper to taste. Optionally fold in grated cheddar or Parmesan cheese.
  10. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread beef and Guinness filling evenly in baking dish.
  11. Spoon herb mashed potatoes on top and use a fork to create texture on the surface.
  12. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until top is golden and slightly crispy. For extra crispness, broil for 2–3 minutes watching carefully.
  13. Let pie rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If filling thickens too much during simmering, add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it before spreading. Do not skip resting time after baking to allow filling to settle. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend or cornstarch. For dairy-free, use olive oil instead of butter and plant-based milk. Yukon Gold potatoes recommended for creamy mash that crisps well.

Nutrition

Keywords: cottage pie, Guinness, beef pie, Irish recipe, herb crust, comfort food, hearty dinner

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/hearty-irish-beef-and-guinness-cottage-pie-recipe-with-easy-herb-crust/