Skip to main content
Ultimate Cheesy Mash Topped Cottage Pie

Ultimate Cheesy Mash Topped Cottage Pie

with Green Beans
Mimi Morley
Mimi MorleyUpdated on March 05, 2026
Calories
772 kcal
Protein
47.2g protein
Total
40 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Allergens:
  • Milk
  • Sulphites
  • Celery
Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
serving amount

450 grams

Potatoes

1 unit(s)

Carrot

150 grams

Green Beans

3 unit(s)

Garlic Clove

60 grams

Mature Cheddar Cheese

(Contains: Milk)

240 grams

British Beef Mince

1 carton(s)

Tomato Passata

22 grams

Red Wine Jus Paste

(Contains: Sulphites, Celery)

20 grams

Parmigiano Reggiano

(Contains: Milk)

Not included in your delivery

½ tsp

Sugar for the Sauce

100 milliliter(s)

Water for the Sauce

10 grams

Butter

Energy (kJ)3230 kJ
Energy (kcal)772 kcal
Fat38.6 g
of which saturates19.9 g
Carbohydrate63.8 g
of which sugars14.5 g
Dietary Fibre10.8 g
Protein47.2 g
Salt2.6 g
Always refer to the product label for the most accurate ingredient and allergen information.
Garlic Press
Colander
Large Saucepan
Pan
Grater
Small Bowl
Lid
Oven dish

Instructions

Get Prepped
1

Bring a large saucepan of water with 1/2 tsp salt to the boil. Peel and chop the potatoes into 2cm chunks. 

Peel and trim the carrot, then quarter lengthways. Chop widthways into small pieces. 

Trim the green beans. Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press).

When boiling, add the potatoes to the water and cook until you can easily slip a knife through, 15-20 mins. Once cooked, drain in a colander and return to the pan, off the heat.

Cook the Carrots
2

While the potatoes cook, heat a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan on medium-high heat.

Once hot, add the carrot and season with salt and pepper. Fry, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6-7 mins.

Meanwhile, grate the Cheddar.

Once the carrot has softened, transfer to a small bowl.

Fry the Beef
3

Pop your (now empty) pan back on medium-high heat (no oil).

Once hot, add the beef mince and fry until browned, 5-6 mins. Use a spoon to break it up as it cooks, then drain and discard any excess fat. Season with salt and pepper. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw mince. It's cooked when no longer pink in the middle.

Add the cooked carrot back to the pan along with half the garlic. Stir and cook for 1 min more.

Simmer your Pie Filling
4

Pour the tomato passata into the beef pan, then stir in the red wine jus paste, sugar and water for thesauce (see pantry for both amounts). TIP: If your red 
wine jus paste has hardened, pop in a bowl of hot water for 1 min.

Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 8-10 mins. 

Meanwhile, preheat your grill to high.

Once the potatoes are drained, add the Cheddar and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid to keep warm. 

Time to Grill
5

Once the pie filling has thickened, season to taste, then remove from the heat. Add a splash of water if it's a little too thick, then transfer to an appropriately sized ovenproof dish.

Top the filling with an even layer of mash and smooth it out using the back of a spoon.

Sprinkle over the Parmigiano Reggiano, then grill until golden brown, 6-8 mins.

Finish and Serve
6

Meanwhile, wash out your frying pan and pop back on medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil. Once hot, add the green beans and stir-fry until starting to char, 2-3 mins.

Stir in the remaining garlic, then turn the heat down to medium and cook for 1 min.

Add a splash of water and immediately cover with a lid or some foil. Cook until tender, 4-5 mins. Stir through the butter (see pantry for amount), then remove from the heat.

Serve your ultimate cottage pie with the buttery green beans alongside.

Enjoy!

Customer reviews

Review summary

Updated on Feb 2026
  • Flavour: Many enjoyed the rich, cheesy taste, though some found it overly tomato-based compared to traditional cottage pie.
  • Ease of prep: While most found it simple to make, a few noted it was time-consuming with multiple steps.
  • Suggestions: Consider adding peas or sweetcorn to the filling for more variety; reduce tomato flavour for a more traditional taste.
  • Portions: Some felt there wasn't enough meat or potatoes for two people; others found it filling with leftovers.
  • Texture: For softer carrots, cook them longer; ensure potatoes are evenly spread to prevent sinking into the filling.
AI-generated from customer reviews

This week's must-try HelloFresh recipes