Healthy Beef Cottage Pie Recipe

Preparation: 30 minutes | Cooking: 65 minutes | Serves: 6

This is a healthier take on traditional cottage pie, with plenty of veggies including a cauliflower topping. If you are looking for a healthy but comforting mid-week meal, this is it. Thanks to Australian Beef for this recipe!

Ingredients

• 750g beef mince
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large brown onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled, finely diced
• 1 small eggplant, finely diced
• 1 1/2 tbsp thyme leaves
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 400g can diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup beef stock
• 50g baby spinach, plus extra leaves, to serve
• 1 small cauliflower head, cut into small florets
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (or 180° fan-forced).
2. Heat half the oil over medium-high heat, in a large non-stick fry pan. Cook mince in batches until browned. Set mince aside.
3. Heat remaining oil (in same pan) over medium-high heat and cook onion, garlic, carrot and eggplant for 5 minutes or until softened.
4. Return beef to pan and add thyme, tomato paste, tomatoes, Worcestershire and stock. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and stir through spinach. Season to taste and set aside.
5. Meanwhile, in separate microwave-safe containers, microwave cauliflower (4 to 5 minutes) and peas (2 to 3 minutes) on high until tender. Drain. Roughly mash with milk, mustard and cheddar. Season.
6. Lightly oil a 2L baking dish. Add beef mixture and top with spoonful’s of cauliflower mash. Sprinkle with parmesan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes. Serve with extra baby spinach leaves, and enjoy!