Cottage Pie in a Slow Cooker: A Comforting and Convenient Treat

Comfort food doesn't get much better than cottage pie, a classic dish that combines a hearty beef filling with a creamy mashed potato topping. The best part? You can easily make it in a slow cooker, ensuring a delicious and hassle-free meal.

Benefits of Slow Cooker Cottage Pie

• Hands-off cooking: The slow cooker does all the work, so you can relax and enjoy the delicious results.

• Budget-friendly: Ground beef and potatoes are affordable ingredients that make a filling and satisfying meal.

• Perfect for busy families: Prep the dish in the morning and dinner will be ready when you walk in the door.

  

• Versatile: Add your favorite veggies or herbs to customize the filling to your taste.

Ingredients

For the Filling:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Mashed Potato Topping:

• 5 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef: In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.

2. Sauté the veggies: To the skillet, add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

   

3. Combine the filling ingredients: In the slow cooker, combine the browned ground beef, sautéed veggies, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper.

4. Cook in the slow cooker: Cook the filling on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.

5. Prepare the mashed potatoes: While the filling cooks, boil the potatoes until tender. Drain and mash the potatoes with milk, butter, salt, and pepper to taste.

6. Top with mashed potatoes: Spread the mashed potatoes over the cooked filling.

7. Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Nutritional Value

One serving of cottage pie (1 cup) contains:

Tips and Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with lentils or crumbled tofu.
• To add more vegetables to the dish, stir in frozen peas or corn during the last hour of cooking.
• If you don't have time to make mashed potatoes, use instant mashed potato flakes instead.
• For a crispy topping, brush the mashed potatoes with melted butter before baking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcrowding the slow cooker: Make sure there is enough space for the filling and mashed potatoes to cook evenly.
• Undercooking the filling: The filling should be tender and cooked through before topping it with mashed potatoes.
• Substituting milk for beef broth: Beef broth adds depth of flavor to the filling, so it's not interchangeable with milk.

Conclusion

Cottage pie in a slow cooker is a comforting and convenient dish that is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal or a cozy weekend dinner. With its hearty filling and creamy mashed potato topping, it is sure to please the whole family. So next time you're looking for a delicious and hassle-free meal, give cottage pie in a slow cooker a try.

Call to Action

Don't miss out on the comforting flavors of cottage pie! Try our recipe today and let us know how it turns out in the comments below.