Homemade Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash

Comforting Cottage Pie is a classic family dinner, and baking it in the air fryer means it’s ready in no time!

PREP TIME1 hour

COOK TIME10 minutes

TOTAL TIME1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• Cooking Spray
• 1/2 Onion – Finely Diced
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Puree – or two cloves crushed garlic.
• 500g Minced beef
• 4 Medium Carrots – Peeled and sliced.
• 125g Frozen Peas
• 500ml Beef Stock
• 1 Tablespoon Tomato Puree
• Big Splash Henderson’s Relish – Other, similar relishes, like Worcestershire sauce, are also available.
• 1 Tablespoon Mixed Herbs
• Pinch Salt and Pepper
• 1 Tablespoon Beef Gravy Granules

For the Topping:

• 1kg White Potatoes – Something like Maris Piper of King Edwards that mash well.
• 80g Butter
• 100ml Milk – Semi-skimmed or whole are fine.
• Salt and Pepper
• 100g Mature Cheddar Cheese – Grated

Instructions

1. Mist a non-stick flameproof pan liberally with cooking spray and warm over medium heat on the hob.
2. Add the onions and fry for 10 minutes, stirring often.
3. Stir through the garlic puree (if using fresh garlic, fry for 2-3 minutes).
4. Add the mince and break it apart using your spatula or a fork.
5. Fry for 5 minutes until browned, stirring often.
6. Stir in the peas and carrots.
7. Pour in the stock and Relish, and add the tomato puree, mixed herbs, salt and pepper and gravy.
8. Stir well.
9. Bring to a simmer and reduce the temperature if necessary.
10. Simmer for around 45 minutes, stirring often until the gravy is thick and the carrots soft.
11. While your filling is cooking, prepare your mash.
12. Peel and dice the potatoes.
13. Add to a pan of boiling water and cook for 20 minutes, carefully skimming off any foam that rises to the top with a spoon.
14. Drain well, and return to the saucepan.
15. Place over a very low heat and shake to toss for 1-2 minutes to remove excess water.
16. Remove from the heat.
17. Add the milk, butter, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
18. Mash until smooth.
19. Preheat the air fryer to 180 Degrees C and set for 10 minutes.
20. When the beef mixture is done, remove it from the heat and carefully spoon it into a silicon air fryer basket or a casserole dish that fits and is appropriate for use in your air fryer.
21. Spoon on the mashed potato and spread evenly.
22. Sprinkle over the grated cheese.
23. Add to the preheated air fryer drawer and air fry for 10 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.