Mini Cottage Pies

Individual cottage pies of rich beef mince and vegetables under creamy mash, finished in the air fryer until golden.

TIME BREAKDOWN
Prep: 25 min
Cook: 32 min
Total: 57 minutes
Vegetarian
❌
Nuts
❌
Serves
4 people
Difficulty
Medium

Ingredients

  • 500g beef mince
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • 1 tbsp plain flour
  • 300ml beef stock, made with 1 stock cube
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 800g potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 30g butter
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 40g mature Cheddar cheese, grated

Method

  1. Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes until soft, drain and mash with the butter, milk, half the salt and half the pepper.

  2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat and cook the onion and carrots for 6 minutes, then add the mince and cook for 8 minutes until browned.

  3. Stir in the garlic, tomato purée and flour and cook for 1 minute, then add the stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme and remaining salt and pepper.

  4. Simmer for 10 minutes, until thick, then divide between 4 ovenproof ramekins that fit in your air fryer.

  5. Spoon the mash over the top, rough up the surface with a fork and sprinkle over the cheese.

  6. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C and cook the pies in batches of 2 for 10 to 12 minutes each, until golden and bubbling.

  7. Leave to cool for 5 minutes, as the filling will be hot.