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upside-down cottage pie with beef gravy served over mashed potatoes

Upside-Down Cottage Pie (No Oven Required)

All the comfort of cottage pie — none of the waiting. This upside-down cottage pie delivers everything you love about the classic: rich, savoury beef, plenty of gravy, and creamy mashed potatoes — without turning on the oven or dirtying a baking dish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil light drizzle
  • 1 lb ground beef I used 93% lean
  • 1/2 onion, finely diced use up to a whole onion based on preference
  • 1-2 cup frozen vegetables (mixed veg or peas & carrots)
  • 2 tsp minced garlic or 1–2 cloves
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon (beef)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp Soy sauce you wont taste it, adds umami
  • 1 tsp Honey (approximate) a nice drizzle to add complexity
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening) use less or more to achieve your desired consistency

Equipment

  • Pan
  • Kitchen Utensils

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
  2. Add diced onion and cook for a few minutes until beginning to soften.
  3. Push onions to the edges of the pan. Add ground beef to the centre and let it sit untouched to sear. Flip, break up, and cook until fully browned.
  4. Add frozen vegetables and stir to combine.
  5. Make space in the pan and add garlic and tomato paste directly to the surface. Let cook for 30–45 seconds, then mix in.
  6. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Stir in bouillon mixed with water, then add Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and honey.
  8. Simmer until saucy and well combined.
  9. Optional: Stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer briefly to thicken.
  10. Serve hot over mashed potatoes.

Notes

This recipe is served upside-down, with the beef filling spooned over mashed potatoes instead of baked. Searing the beef first builds deeper flavour and allows excess fat to be drained if needed. If you prefer softer onions, cook them first and push them to the edges before adding the beef. Short on time? Everything can go into the pan at once — it will still be good, just less layered.

Serving Suggestion

Serve over The Best Mashed Potato Recipe.
For a traditional cottage pie, layer the filling into a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and bake at 375°F (190°C)until bubbling.