Cottage Pie
This Cottage Pie is a slimming friendly version of a weeknight classic. Great for calorie counting, plans like Weight Watchers and the whole family!
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NutritionPer Serving
- Calories361
- Carbs40g
- Protein32g
- Fat6.4g
- Saturates2.9g
- Sugars12g
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For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff to know in the blurb!
Cottage Pie is a classic for a reason! Fluffy mash, meaty filling and a deliciously rich gravy, and all of it can be enjoyed on a slimming diet! In fact, it’s similar to non-diet versions but we’ve used lean mince and omitted the flour and you really can’t taste the difference. Hearty and comforting, Cottage Pie is a weekly staple in our house.
One of the best bits about this recipe is that it’s great to make up in advance to pop in the fridge and heat up when you’re ready, it’s SO easy. Try it instead of a traditional Sunday roast when you fancy a change!
What diets is this Cottage Pie suitable for?
This Cottage Pie recipe is suitable if you’re gluten free as long as you swap out the following ingredients for gluten free versions;
- Stock cubes
- Worcestershire sauce
You could also enjoy this Cottage Pie if you’re dairy free.
Please make sure to double or triple check all of your ingredients if you’re cooking for people with allergies.
You could also make this dish vegetarian by using a meat free mince substitute, such as Quorn, and switching to veggie versions of stock and Worcestershire Sauce.
Do you need any special ingredients to make Cottage Pie?
No! Everything can be found at your local supermarket!
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A nice big ovenproof dish is needed to bake the cottage pie until it’s bubbling.
How many calories are in this Cottage Pie?
There are 361 calories in each portion of our slimming friendly Cottage Pie. This means it falls into our Everyday Light recipe category.
This Cottage Pie is perfect if you’re following a calorie controlled diet, and fits well with any one of the major diet plans such as Weight Watchers.
As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day. Obviously, if your goal is to lose weight then you might want to adjust these slightly! You can read more about these recommendations on the NHS website.
Step 1
Heat a large pan, spray with low calorie cooking spray and add the mince. Fry for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Add the onion and carrots and cook for a few more minutes.
Step 2
Add the stock to the pan, then add the Worcestershire sauce and stir. Season with black pepper.
Step 3
Bring up to the boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, removing the lid for the final 5 minutes, and allow to reduce until it thickens.
Step 4
While this is cooking boil the potatoes in a pan of salted water. When they are soft remove from the heat, drain off the water and mash with a little salt and pepper.
Step 5
Pour the mince mixture into a large shallow dish and allow to cool slightly. If you don’t the mash may sink through the mince.
Step 6
Spoon the mashed potato onto the mince, and run a fork over the top to cover the mince and give it some texture. Alternatively you could pipe the potato on to the top.
Step 7
Place in a pre heated oven (200-220°C) and cook for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 8
Serve with a selection of vegetables and some pickled beetroot and red cabbage.
What should you serve with Cottage Pie?
This Cottage Pie is a hearty portion with meat and lots of veg. You really don’t need to serve it with anything, but you could always reduce the portion size and add a side of extra vegetables!
Whatever accompaniment you choose, don’t forget to account for the extra calories and/or other nutritional values.
How do you know when the Cottage Pie is cooked?
The mince will be thick and rich before assembling the pie. After cooking in the oven the mash on top will be golden and crispy.
Once placed in the pre-heated oven (200 – 220°C) this will take around 25 minutes.
Standard advice here in the UK is to cook food until it has reached 70°C and stayed at that temperature for 2 minutes. This is to keep your family safe.
How long can you keep Cottage Pie in the fridge?
Once you’ve put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours.
If you allow any left overs to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Cottage Pie in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.
Can I freeze Cottage Pie?
Yes you can! This recipe can be frozen, but please remember to do the following;
- Freeze it as soon as it is cold enough.
- Use a container or bag that is suitable for freezing.
Don’t forget to add a label with what it is, and on what date you put it in the freezer!
How do I reheat Cottage Pie?
From chilled: Place in a microwave proof container with loosely fitting lid and heat for 4-7 minutes until piping hot.
From frozen: Allow to defrost, and heat covered in the microwave for 3-5 minutes then stir. Cook for a further 5-7 minutes until piping hot.
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Cottage Pie
This Cottage Pie is a slimming friendly version of a weeknight classic. Great for calorie counting, plans like Weight Watchers and the whole family!
-
Prep Time
20 MINS
-
Cook Time
55 MINS
- KCals 361
- Carbs 40G
Instructions
- Heat a large pan, spray with low calorie cooking spray and add the mince. Fry for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Add the onion and carrots and cook for a few more minutes.
- Add the stock to the pan, then add the Worcestershire sauce and stir. Season with black pepper.
- Bring up to the boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, removing the lid for the final 5 minutes, and allow to reduce until it thickens.
- While this is cooking boil the potatoes in a pan of salted water. When they are soft remove from the heat, drain off the water and mash with a little salt and pepper
- Pour the mince mixture into a large shallow dish and allow to cool slightly. If you don't the mash may sink through the mince.
- Spoon the mashed potato onto the mince, and run a fork over the top to cover the mince and give it some texture. Alternatively you could pipe the potato on to the top.
- Place in a pre heated oven (200-220°C) and cook for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve with a selection of vegetables and some pickled beetroot and red cabbage.
Looking for Slimming World Syns or Weight Watchers (WW) Points?
With ever-changing plans and point calculations, we have made the decision to remove WW Points from the website - referring to your individual plan or advice from your consultant is always going to give the most accurate results.
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35 comments
See what others have to say
Amanda BuckinghamSaturday 23rd January 2021
Hiya, I am a vegetarian, what would be a good meat substitute for this recipe please? Thanks,
LisaSunday 24th January 2021
You could use any vegetarian mince alternative. There are loads to chose from. You could also make the sauce and then add a couple of tins of drained lentils towards the end of cooking time.
LynnTuesday 19th January 2021
I’ve just made this for the first time. It was amazing. I had no beef stock cubes so I used vegetable ones and I added some chilli flakes. I also added a small amount of milk to the potatoes. Served it with green beans and peas. I’ll definitely be making this again.
HollyWednesday 20th January 2021
Hey Lynn, thanks for your message and so glad you enjoyed the Cottage Pie! Your tweaks sound lovely
Jasmine FurnerThursday 26th November 2020
I just worked out the points for this on green, and it’s 8sp. Not 7. 😊👀👀
HollyThursday 26th November 2020
Hi Jasmine, Thanks for your message I’ve just double checked this recipe and the points are correct on the recipe page. Have a look HERE for how we work out nutritional information for all of our recipes.
DebbieSaturday 11th July 2020
Just started using the recipes on the site this week. Made this tonight and absolutely loved it!!! Couldn’t cook to save my life and have already did the Mexican potatoes, Chicken in black pepper sauce, Cheesy Garlic bread and the Chicken Fajita pasta. All went down a storm. Cant wait to try more!!!!
LisaSunday 12th July 2020
Thank you for the lovely comment, Debbie! So glad you are enjoying the recipes!
Victoria SmithMonday 29th June 2020
A firm favourite for us! I usually add a bit of gravy granules instead of the gum to thicken it up a tad and serve it with green vegetables. So nice best cottage pie I’ve found!
Need to invest in some of the cookbooks soon as I’ve been using your website almost every day!
HollyTuesday 30th June 2020
Hey Victoria, so glad you like the Cottage Pie and great idea on the gravy granules!
EmilyMonday 8th June 2020
Made this today and it was delicious. Added 1 heaped teaspoon cornflour in place of xanthan gum and some diced swede to bulk it out – it went down a storm.
SharonTuesday 9th June 2020
Hi Emily, thanks for letting us know how you adapted this recipe and so glad you enjoyed it!
Karen KennanSunday 7th June 2020
Hi – sorry if I’ve missed it but could you tell me how many portions this is? 4? Thanks
SharonMonday 8th June 2020
Hi Karen, yes, this recipe serves 4. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will find the recipe card, this is where you will find this information. Thanks for getting in touch and enjoy the recipe!
SandieMonday 24th February 2020
Add baked beans….delicious and bulks it up!
Sharon FitzpatrickWednesday 6th May 2020
Hi Sandie, great idea! Thanks for sharing your suggestion.
SarahWednesday 22nd January 2020
Do you have to use xanthan gum for the cottage pie
Sharon FitzpatrickWednesday 13th May 2020
Hi Sarah, no, you don’t have to use xanthan gum in this recipe. You can either just reduce the sauce until it thickens slightly or you could use cornflour instead. A 1/4 tsp xanthan gum is equivalent to 1 tbsp cornflour, so you could mix 1 tbsp cornflour with 1 tbsp water until it forms a smooth liquid and stir it into the mixture to thicken it in step 3. You will need to cook the mixture for a few minutes after adding the cornflour mixture. You may need a little more or a little less cornflour depending on how much you want to thicken the mixture, but 1 tbsp is a guide. Hope this helps.
RavhelFriday 6th September 2019
Hi looks like a lovely recipe excited to make it, just wondering if anyone knows the calories if you use quorn mince instead ? I’m assuming it’ll be lower, thanks
Kylie AdamsThursday 2nd May 2019
How does the gum affect freezing and could it be use in something like macaroni cheese were more flour would be used traditionally.
Emma TThursday 20th June 2019
Hi Kylie,
The xanthan gum doesn’t affect freezing. You can use it in macaroni cheese, just add a very small amount at a time and whisk like mad!
Hope that helps!
KatieFriday 26th April 2019
My mum says you can boil mince first, let it cool and the fat settles and hardens. You can then remove fat. That’s how they did it before 5% mince existed ???? will save you some pennies too.
Lisa SmithThursday 7th February 2019
Hi, sorry if this is a silly question but I want to start batch cooking and freezing meals for the first time. Just wondered if I make the cottage pie to freeze do I have to bake it to get the crispy top before freezing or do I do that bit once it’s defrosted and cooked when I want it? Thanks, Lisa
MishFriday 13th July 2018
Hi
Sorry to ask if being silly
So if make the cottage pie then cool and freeze then just follow the cooking instructions (once defrosted)
I normally batch cook just meat dishes (No mash) so wanted to double check
Elaine TraquairMonday 18th June 2018
This looks so good, I’ve got steak mince is that still ok to use or does it have to be beef mince. Thanks Elaine
FinolaMonday 19th March 2018
I’m goung to try this tomorrow. Would this keep in the fridge for a few days? And if so would this be with our without mash? Thanks for all your gorgeous and easy recipes never thought I would love cooking. X
Mary DavidsonMonday 22nd January 2018
I use Aduki beans instead of mince sometimes. Like dry kidney beans, Dried Aduki beans have to be soaked overnight. Drain and hard boil in fresh water for an hour. Drain again and mash. Add carrot onion, oxo stock and some Worcester sauce. And cook as mince. My husband couldn’t tell the difference, you can now get Aduki beans in cans which cuts out all the steeping and hard boiling.
StephenSunday 14th January 2018
I have never used normal flour to thicken, always cornflour. Is chickpea flour an alternative? I want to try a different topping of celeriac / potato mash. using fromage fraise instead of milk or butter. I would use a chopped up leek too. Serve up with steamed kale
ChantaThursday 13th July 2017
Can you replace potatoes with aubergines for example or any other vegetable?
Emma TTuesday 12th September 2017
Hi Chanta,
You could replace the potato mash with mashed carrot and suede, or even mashed butter beans works well ????
FayeFriday 3rd March 2017
What do you use to make the mash Please? Obviously potatos but don’t you use butter or milk ot anything xx
ShirleyThursday 2nd March 2017
Ditto the above many thanks .
Emma TTuesday 12th September 2017
Hi Shirley,
So glad you enjoyed it!
Yvonne HarrisTuesday 22nd November 2016
this site is amazing. just want to say how much I appreciate ye all and honestly the difference it has made to my life is brilliant. keep up the good work xoxo
Susan meighFriday 4th November 2016
These meals look o lovely can’t wait to try them
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