Saucy Cottage Pie

Name: Saucy Cottage Pie
Ingredients: 15 ml (1 tablespoon) sunflower oil; 1 onion, finely chopped; 125 ml (1/2 cup) diced carrots; 700 g lean minced beef; 1 x 400g-tin Italian tomatoes, chopped; 1/2 beef stock cube, crumbled; 30 ml (2 tablespoons) soy sauce; 125 ml (1/2 cup) frozen peas; 125 ml (1/2 cup) cream cheese; 1 egg, beaten; 700 g potatoes, cooked and mashed; 30 ml (2 tablespoons) sesame seeds; salt and pepper to taste

Cottage pie is a comforting family favourite. Adding cream cheese and a sprinkling of sesame seeds to the potato topping, changes every day fare into a special treat.

Published 16 August 2025

Method

Preheat oven to 180 ºC (350 ºF). Lightly grease a large ovenproof baking dish.
Heat the oil in a frying pan and sauté the onion and carrots over low heat until soft.
Add the minced beef and fry until brown.
Add the tomatoes, crumbled stock cube and soy sauce. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thick.
Add the frozen peas, season to taste and spoon the mixture into the prepared ovenproof baking dish.
Add the cream cheese to the mashed potatoes, season to taste and mix well. Top the meat with the mashed potatoes and sprinkle the sesame seeds on top.
Bake in the oven for 45 minutes until golden brown. Serve with a mixed salad.