A hearty layer of savory beef and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes, baked until golden, the ultimate cold-weather comfort dish.
Prep & Cook Time
Prep: 25 min
Cook: 45 min
Total: 1 h 10 min
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
Mashed Potatoes
- 2 lb potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cup milk
- ¾ tsp salt
Instructions
Place the potatoes in a large pot of salted water and cook until very tender. Drain, mash with butter, milk, and salt until smooth and creamy, then set aside.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
Add the onion and carrots to the beef and cook until softened, allowing the mixture to develop depth and sweetness.
Stir in the garlic and tomato paste, cooking briefly until fragrant and well blended into the meat.
Pour in the beef broth, season with salt, pepper, and thyme, then simmer until the mixture thickens into a rich, spoonable filling. Stir in the peas at the end.
Transfer the beef mixture to a baking dish and spread it evenly. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top and gently spread to cover the filling completely.
Bake until the top is lightly golden and the edges are bubbling, then let rest briefly before serving.
Nutrition Facts (approx)
Calories: 580 | Protein: 30g | Carbs: 42g | Fat: 32g
Quick Facts
• oven-baked comfort meal
• cold weather classic
• family approved
• budget friendly
• freezer friendly
Tips
Mash the potatoes while they are still hot to keep them smooth and fluffy.
Let the beef filling thicken properly before assembling so the pie holds its layers when served.
Use a fork to lightly texture the potato topping so it browns more evenly in the oven.
Variations
Rustic Cottage-Style Pie
Leave the vegetables slightly larger and mash the potatoes more roughly. This creates a heartier texture with a farmhouse-style feel.
Creamy Winter Pie
Mix a small amount of cream into the mashed potatoes for a richer topping that melts into the beef layer as it bakes. For more inspiration on velvety potato dishes, you can check out Grandma’s Mashed Potatoes, a timeless favorite.
Lighter Family Pie
Replace part of the mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower for a lighter version that still delivers comfort and warmth. Want to add more vegetables to your plate? These Health Benefits of Carrots might convince you to keep those diced carrots front and center.