This Slow Cooker Cottage Pie recipe is one the entire family will enjoy! Ground beef, vegetables, and seasonings topped with mashed potatoes makes this meal a hearty, comfort food dish perfect any night of the week. Let the crock pot do the cooking and add this to your next meal plan!
Don’t you just love a good slow cooker dish? I know I sure do! Not only does it take the time and work out of making dinner, but the house smells incredible as the meal cooks all day! This easy slow cooker cottage pie recipe consists of ground beef and onions simmered in a gravy with vegetables. Once topped with mashed potatoes, this becomes a full meal in itself. Whether you make this for St. Patrick’s Day, or any other day of the year, it’s the ultimate comfort food dish!
What is Cottage Pie?
Cottage Pie, also known as Shepherd Pie, is a savory dish of cooked minced meat, topped with mashed potatoes, and baked. This recipe uses the slow cooker, but the classic version uses the oven. Shepherd’s Pie usually uses lamb, whereas Cottage Pie uses minced beef.
Ingredients Needed to make Cottage Pie in the Slow Cooker
See printable recipe card below for exact recipe ingredient amounts and step by step directions.
- Potatoes– I use Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
- Butter– unsalted as you’ll add salt to this recipe
- Milk– any type works, I use 2% because that is what my kids drink
- Salt/Black Pepper– to taste
- Beef– ground, I use 80/20, but you can use any type including ground turkey
- Onion– yellow, large onion, chopped
- Garlic– fresh is best, minced
- Tomato Paste– you can find this in your grocery store near the other canned tomato products such as diced tomatoes, tomato puree works too
- Mushrooms– if you don’t like mushrooms, feel free to omit
- Carrots– I use long carrots and chop them into smaller pieces, if using baby carrots, be sure to cut them smaller
- Beef Stock
- Dry White Wine
- Worcestershire Sauce– this adds so much flavor to the gravy
- Thyme/Parsley– fresh is best, but dried works too
- Frozen Peas– feel free to use whichever vegetable you prefer
- Cheese– Monterrey Jack Cheese is my go-to in this recipe, shredded
Recipe Variations
- Use ground lamb in place of the beef.
- Omit the meat and use lentils and vegetable broth to make this vegetarian.
- Change up the vegetables called for to use your favorites. Red peppers, celery, broccoli, green beans, sweet corn, and more are all great options.
- Change up the cheese to fit your tastes. Mozzarella, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Gruyere, and more are all great options!
- Ground turkey can be used in place of the ground beef.
How to make Slow Cooker Cottage Pie with Gravy
- Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain and Mash potatoes, gradually adding butter and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Stir in ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink, drain.
- Add tomato paste; cook for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms, carrots, broth, wine, Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until most of the liquid is evaporated. Stir in peas. Season with remaining salt and pepper.
- Transfer beef filling meat mixture to a greased slow cooker. Spread mashed potatoes over top of the meat. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until bubbly. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Just before serving, sprinkle with parsley.
Crock Pot Cottage Pie FAQ’s
Do I need to make this cottage pie in the slow cooker?
The flavors really fuse together perfectly when made in the slow cooker, however, you can also assemble in the skillet and simmer for about 45 minutes, or place into the oven to bake for about 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Why is my Slow Cooker Shepherd Pie soupy?
This happens when too much liquid was added. If using canned vegetables, be sure to fully drain them. Tomato paste will help things thicken up, but make sure you don’t pour too much beef broth in, etc.
Do you put cheese on cottage pie?
We love cheese in my house, so yes, it is a must, however, feel free to omit! You can also use Sharp cheddar cheese, Mozzarella cheese, Gruyere, etc. instead of Monterrey Jack.
How can I cut down on the prep work to make this cottage pie in slow cooker?
You can use boxed mashed potatoes instead of making them from scratch. Another quick option is to use the Instant Pot to make the potatoes.
Best Slow Cooker Cottage Pie Storage Tips
- Once cooled, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
- To freeze, allow to fully cool before placing in a freezer safe container up to 3 months.
- Reheat leftovers using the microwave in 30 second increments until heated through.
More Slow Cooker Recipes to try
Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops– a family favorite, comfort food meal that is both quick and easy to make! Tender pork chops combined with bacon, onions, and garlic smothered in a mouthwatering gravy. Perfect for any night of the week!
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken– a flavorful blend of shredded chicken, cream cheese, Ranch seasoning, and BACON! Effortlessly create a simple, addictive, and flavor-packed meal for any occasion!
Crockpot Baked Ziti– made entirely in the slow cooker and takes only 10 minutes to prep! Classic comfort food at its finest, perfect for those busy weeknights!
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Stew– a flavorful stew made with shredded chicken, vegetables, and potatoes in a scrumptious broth!
Best Ever Slow Cooker Ritz Chicken– a blend of tender chicken breasts slow-cooked in a creamy mixture, topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. This simple yet flavorful dish is perfect over rice, noodles, or your favorite side dishes!
This Cottage Pie Slow Cooker Recipe offers a convenient and delicious way to enjoy this classic comfort food. By using the slow cooker, you can effortlessly create a hearty meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Whether you’re feeding your hungry family or simply looking for a comforting dish to enjoy on a chilly evening, this recipe is sure to satisfy. So, grab your ingredients, set your slow cooker, and let it work its magic as you indulge in the rich flavors of tender meat, savory vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes.
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Comforting Slow Cooker Cottage Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs potatoes Yukon Gold, peeled and quartered
- 2 tablespoon butter unsalted
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¾ teaspoon salt divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper divided
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 2 medium carrots chopped
- 1 cup beef broth
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup Monterrey Jack cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon parsley
Instructions
- Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain and Mash potatoes, gradually adding butter and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Stir in ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, drain.
- Add tomato paste; cook for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms, carrots, broth, wine, Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until most of the liquid is evaporated. Stir in peas. Season with remaining salt and pepper.
- Transfer beef mixture to a greased slow cooker. Spread mashed potatoes over top. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until bubbly. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Just before serving, sprinkle with parsley if using and enjoy!
gloria j. fossett says
I agree why do you cook and then for 4-6 hours cook on low. Meld give me a break this has to be over done, same as when they say to cook chicken in the crock pot for 6 hours when it’s done in maybe 3…Gloria
Kristin Hayes says
It really just allows the flavors to fuse together! If you are short on time, you can decrease the time in slow cooker or simply cook in skillet and eat! Low and slow in the crockpot is a family version to really help everything soften and flavors to blend!
Kristin Hayes says
Bummer it wasn’t a favorite!
Karen A Rose says
I’m sorry, but why cook everything first then put it all in the crockpot?? This really makes no sense to me.
Kristin says
It really helps fuse the flavors together by letting the slow cooker cook for a few hours, HOWEVER, if you don’t have time for that step or simply don’t want to, you can also assemble in the skillet and let simmer on low for a few before serving or bake in oven safe dish. Enjoy!