Cottage Pie

Ingredients

Potato Topping:

• 2 pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
• ¼ cup half and half
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Meat Filling:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped in small pieces
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 2 pounds ground lean beef
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions

1. 1
   Boil the potatoes for 12-15 minutes on high heat until the potatoes fork tender.
2. 2
   Prepare the filling while the potatoes are boiling.
3. 3
   Drain the potatoes and add them to a medium bowl.
4. 4
   Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes and add the half and half, butter, salt and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
5. 5
   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. While the potatoes are boiling, prepare the filling by heating a large sauté pan with vegetable oil on medium high heat. Add the onions and cook them for 4 minutes until soft. Add the carrots, garlic, and thyme. Cook for an additional 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper according to your personal preference.
6. 6
   Transfer the onion and carrot mixture to a separate bowl and return the pan to the stove. Cook the lean beef until done and season with salt and pepper. Add and mix in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce.
7. 7
   Add the (room temperature) beef broth to a small bowl and gently stir in the corn starch until dissolved.
8. 8
   Add the onion mixture and broth back to the pan with the beef and add the peas. Stir everything until well combined and cook for 5 minutes on medium low heat until the sauce thickens.
9. 9
   Spray a medium casserole pan with non-stick spray. Transfer the beef mixture to the pan in one large even layer. Top the beef layer with an even layer of the mashed potatoes.
10. 10
    Bake for 20-25 minutes until the potato layer slightly browns.
11. 11
    Allow the pie to cool for 10 minutes before serving.