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Cottage Pie is the perfect comfort food for one, ideal for times when you want a hearty meal without dealing with leftovers. This classic English dish features a savory ground beef filling cooked with vegetables, smothered in rich gravy, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s all baked until golden and bubbly, making it a delightful dinner option.
Treat yourself to an individual cottage pie, perfect for enjoying on its own or paired with sweet, caramelized roasted carrots, a crisp garden salad drizzled with a light vinaigrette, crusty French bread, or a refreshing side of coleslaw.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This recipe is easy to follow and uses simple ingredients.
- Ideal Serving Size: Just the right amount for one person.
- Rich Flavor: The blend of savory ground beef, hearty vegetables, and rich gravy creates a delicious and comforting dish.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with affordable ingredients that you may already have in your pantry.
- Heartwarming: The creamy mashed potato topping and savory filling come together for a satisfying meal.
Cottage Pie is just what you need when you’re in the mood for a comforting meal that’s perfectly portioned for one. It’s a great choice if you want a delicious dish without the hassle of leftovers and using a 10-ounce ramekin, it’s easy to bake and serve.
Ingredients & Substitutions
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy cottage pie recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Bacon: We use one strip of bacon, cut into small strips called lardons. They add a smoky and rich flavor to the dish. If you’ve got extra bacon, use it to make German Potato Salad, Corn Casserole, or Pasta Carbonara.
- Onion: Yellow onions are ideal for this recipe as they provide a balance of sweetness and sharpness. White or red onions can also be used, though they may alter the flavor slightly. Leftover onions can be added to Chicken Gumbo or Salsa.
- Carrot: Adds a natural sweetness and a bit of crunch. If you’re out of carrots, you can use parsnips or even chopped bell peppers as an alternative. Consider using leftover carrots to make a small Carrot Cake or Split Pea Soup.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic brings a robust and aromatic flavor to the dish. If fresh garlic isn’t available, you can substitute it with 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Ground Beef: The heart of the filling, ground beef provides a savory and hearty base. For a lighter option, ground turkey or chicken can be used. You can also experiment with a plant-based ground meat substitute for a vegetarian version. Extra ground beef can be used in Lasagna Rollups, Cheeseburger Soup, or Chili Mac.
- Dried Basil: Adds a subtle herbaceous note. If you don’t have dried basil on hand, dried thyme or oregano can be used instead.
- Kosher Salt: We use Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt, which enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A key ingredient for adding depth. If you need a substitute, soy sauce or a splash of coconut aminos can work in a pinch.
- Frozen Peas: These add a pop of color and a bit of sweetness. Fresh peas can also be used, or you can substitute with other vegetables like corn or green beans. Extra peas can be used to make Spicy Peas with Mint or Chicken and Biscuits Casserole.
- Beef Broth: Forms the base of the gravy, providing a rich and savory flavor. You can use vegetable broth if you prefer a lighter or vegetarian version. Use leftover broth in Pepper Steak, Pot Roast, or Taco Soup.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled on top, it adds a nutty, savory finish. You can also use cheddar, Gruyère, or Pecorino Romano for a different cheese flavor.
- Mashed Potatoes: We make our mashed potatoes from scratch for a creamy, smooth topping that ties everything together. However, if you’re short on time, boxed instant mashed potatoes can be a convenient alternative. For a twist, you can try using mashed sweet potatoes.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to get creative with this recipe! Here are some variations to try:
- Chicken Cottage Pie: Substitute ground beef with ground chicken for a lighter option.
- Vegetarian Cottage Pie: Use cooked lentils or a meat substitute in place of beef.
- Mushroom Cottage Pie: Add 1/4 cup of sliced mushrooms for extra umami flavor.
- Cheesy Cottage Pie: Mix shredded cheese into the mashed potatoes for a cheesy top.
- Greek Cottage Pie: Incorporate feta cheese and olives into the filling.
How To Make Cottage Pie For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a single serve cottage pie.
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Make the Mashed Potatoes
To make the mashed potatoes, start by chopping a potato into quarters and cooking it with milk and garlic in a small saucepan. Once the potatoes are tender, strain them and reserve the milk mixture. Return the potatoes to the pan, add some of the reserved milk, and mash them until smooth and creamy. Stir in butter and salt to taste, then set aside. You can also use instant boxed mashed potatoes or leftovers for convenience.
Make the Cottage Pie
- Preheat the Oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Cook the Bacon: Chop the bacon into strips and cook in a 2 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon or fork.
- Cook the Vegetables: In the same pan, cook the onions, carrot, and garlic in the bacon drippings with a pinch of salt for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add Ground Beef: Add the ground beef and dried basil to the pan. Break up the beef with a spatula and cook until browned, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add Worcestershire Sauce and Peas: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and frozen peas, mixing them thoroughly with the ground beef and vegetable mixture.
- Simmer the Mixture: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Combine with Bacon: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cooked bacon.
- Assemble the Pie: Transfer the mixture to a buttered 10-ounce ramekin.
- Top with the mashed potatoes and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake and Garnish: Bake for 20 minutes. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Expert Tips
- Flexible Meat Options: While traditional Cottage Pie uses ground beef, feel free to substitute with ground lamb to make Shepherd’s Pie.
- Mashed Potato Convenience: Don’t hesitate to use leftover mashed potatoes or even instant mashed potatoes for convenience.
- Let It Rest: Allow the pie to rest for a few minutes before enjoying to set the layers.
Serving Suggestions
While we’ve already mentioned a few classic dishes that pair wonderfully with this single serving Cottage Pie, here are some other great options to consider:
- Sautéed Green Beans: Lightly seasoned with garlic and butter, these green beans are crisp and full of flavor, providing a perfect balance to the hearty pie.
- Brussels Sprouts Salad: A fresh salad with thinly sliced Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and a zesty vinaigrette for a refreshing crunch.
- Sicilian Orange Salad: A vibrant mix of juicy oranges, thinly sliced fennel, and red onion, drizzled with balsamic vinegar for a bright, citrusy side.
- Cucumber Salad: Crisp cucumber slices tossed with onions, fresh dill, and a tangy vinaigrette, offering a cool and refreshing accompaniment.
- Cheddar Biscuits: Fluffy, buttery biscuits loaded with sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for soaking up any gravy and adding a cheesy, savory touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shepherd’s Pie traditionally uses lamb, while Cottage Pie uses beef.
Yes, you can make Cottage Pie ahead of time. Assemble it and refrigerate for up to a day, or freeze it for up to three months.
Reheat in the microwave or reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
We recommend using a 10-ounce ramekin when making a single serving Cottage Pie.
Yes! To make Cottage Pie for two, double the ingredient amounts and use a 5×5-inch baking dish.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serving Cottage Pie recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Cottage Pie For One
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Mashed Potatoes (Or use leftover mashed potatoes or instant boxed mashed potatoes)
- 1 medium Yukon gold potato (about 7 oz)
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Cottage Pie Filling
- 1 strip bacon
- 2 tablespoons chopped onions
- 1 small carrot -diced
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 ounces ground beef
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup frozen peas
- ¼ cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Make the Mashed Potatoes – If making mashed potatoes from scratch, follow our method. You can also use instant boxed mashed potatoes or leftover mashed potatoes.
- Start by chopping the potato into quarters and placing them in a small 1-quart saucepan. Add the milk and garlic, stirring to combine. Ensure the potatoes are almost completely covered by the milk; add a little extra milk if needed. Cook for 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Strain the potatoes using a fine mesh strainer over a medium-sized bowl, reserving the milk mixture.
- Return the potatoes to the pan and add 1/4 cup of the reserved milk mixture. Mash the potatoes using an immersion blender or a potato masher. Add more of the reserved milk as needed until the potatoes are thick and creamy. Stir in butter and salt, then set aside.
Make the Cottage Pie
- Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Chop the bacon into small strips and cook in a 2 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon or fork.
- In the same pan, cook the onions, carrot, and garlic in the bacon drippings with a ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the ground beef and dried basil to the pan. Break up the beef with a spatula and cook until browned, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and frozen peas, mixing them thoroughly with the ground beef and vegetable mixture.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cooked bacon.Pro Tip: Taste the mixture and add additional salt if needed.
- Transfer the mixture to a buttered 10-ounce ramekin.
- Top with the mashed potatoes and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Place the ramekin on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any possible spills and bake for 20 minutes. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Flexible Meat Options: While traditional Cottage Pie uses ground beef, feel free to substitute with ground lamb to make Shepherd’s Pie.
- Mashed Potato Convenience: Don’t hesitate to use leftover mashed potatoes or even instant mashed potatoes for convenience.
- Let It Rest: Allow the pie to rest for a few minutes before enjoying to set the layers.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I think this one is next, may pretend I’m a cook and deglaze with some red wine and add some other vegetables like celery and such. still this looks like a great start for us single guy cooks.
thank you for your site. I’ll try to remember to come back with a rating. to be continued…
Thanks so much for your comment! Deglazing with red wine is a great idea—it adds such wonderful depth of flavor. I love that you’re planning to add extra vegetables like celery too! I’m excited to hear how it all turns out for you. Thank you for checking out the recipe, and I really appreciate your kind words. Looking forward to hearing back from you with a rating—can’t wait to see how it goes!
Well, I just have to complain, first you never told me to make sure I had more than enough potatoes, do you know how hard it is to not eat them all before you make this???? But I made it, and still had enough ‘taters. the added vegies worked well, I do wish it could have been a little crispier on top, I did Fork the top, but maybe not high enough butter content in the potatoes. Also tried to make a small hole in the center to capture the run over on the potatoes (I envisioned a flavor volcano) but still some escaped out the sides.
I just can’t believe how close to great this is, guess I’ll have to make it again to make sure.
thanks for the dinner.
I love your sense of humor! It’s always a challenge to resist snacking on those potatoes. For a crispier top, you could try brushing a little more butter on before baking or even pop it under the broiler for a minute or two. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe, and I think a flavor volcano sounds like a fun idea! Thanks for sharing your experience, and I hope your next one turns out even better.
Great recipe.
Thank you!