Beef Stroganoff Cottage Pie Recipe | Simple Home Edit (2024)

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Pie Filling

• 800 g chuck steak, gravy beef or braising steak (or any beef suitable for slow-cooking), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, roughly diced
• 1 tsp garlic, freshly minced
• 400 g mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (concentrated puree)
• 1 tbsp sweet paprika
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 cups (500 ml) beef stock
• 2 tbsp sour cream

Mashed Potato Topping

• 1.2 kg all-purpose potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 2 tbsp (40 g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (250 ml) milk, slightly warmed (see note 1)
• 1 tsp salt
• Olive oil spray
• 1/2 cup (50 g) freshly grated parmesan

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Pie Filling

1. Sprinkle the beef with the salt and pepper.
2. Using 1 tablespoon of the oil, brown the beef (in batches if you need to) in a large heavy-based frying pan on medium–high heat for 8–12 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. Using the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, cook the onion and garlic in the same pan on medium heat until softened, 2–3 minutes.
4. Add the mushrooms and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
5. Add the flour, stirring continuously for 30 seconds (it will form a lumpy paste).
6. Add the tomato paste, sweet paprika, Worcestershire sauce, dijon mustard and beef stock.
7. Return the beef and any juices that have pooled on the plate back into the pan.
8. Return to a rapid simmer, then simmer on medium–low, covered, for 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce is sticking to the base of the pan, add 1/2 cup (125 ml) of water. The gravy should be just bubbling (not bubbling rapidly).
9. Uncover and cook for an additional 1 hour to thicken.
10. The beef should easily pull apart with a fork. If not, cook in 15-minute intervals until it is tender, adding 1/2 cup (125 ml) of water at a time to ensure the sauce isn’t sticking to the base of the pan (see note 2).
11. Once the beef is tender, stir through the sour cream to create a thick, creamy sauce. Set aside to cool.

Mashed Potato Topping

1. Place the peeled, quartered potatoes in a large pot and add water so that they are covered by at least 8 cm (3¼ inches).
2. Place on high heat, bring to a boil and simmer for 15–20 minutes or until the potatoes are soft enough to pierce with a fork.
3. Remove the pot from the heat. Drain the potatoes in a colander and place them back in the pot.
4. Allow them to steam-dry for 1–2 minutes. This removes any excess water.
5. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher, add the butter, milk and salt, and continue mashing until the potatoes are soft and creamy.

Assemble Pie

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F (180°C/350°F fan).
2. Transfer the beef stroganoff mixture to a baking dish approximately 30 x 25 cm (12 x 10 inches) (see note 3).
3. Spoon the mashed potato on top of the beef mixture. Add small spoonfuls all over the pie until the filling is completely covered (instead of big spoonfuls that you need to spread out). Do this while the mashed potato is hot, as it’s much easier to work with while warm (cold mashed potato stiffens). Use a fork to rough up the surface gently and to spread the potato to fill in any gaps.
4. Spray with olive oil and sprinkle with parmesan. Bake for 30 minutes or until the topping is golden and crispy.

Note 1 – Heat the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop; it helps to keep the mashed potatoes smooth and creamy.
Note 2 – The total slow-cook time in the recipe is 2 hours 30 minutes. If your beef is still not tender, continue cooking. The total cook time will depend on the cut of beef you’re using and how hot your stove is. A high heat will result in the base catching, but if the heat is too low the beef will take longer to cook. Continue cooking in 15-minute intervals until the beef is tender (it will only further tenderise as you cook it). If the sauce is looking dry and catching on the base of the pan, add 1/2 cup (125 ml) of water at a time. It shouldn’t take longer than 4 hours – any longer than that and the beef will start disintegrating completely!
Note 3 – This is not a stiff pie filling; add the beef and any residual sauce to the baking dish.

Make ahead

If you want to prepare Beef Stroganoff Cottage Pie with Crispy Parmesan Topping ahead of time to eat at a later date, assemble the pie but don’t bake it. Cover it with a layer of baking paper and two layers of foil. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it completely overnight in the fridge and bake as per the recipe.

Leftovers

Leftovers are best portioned in individual airtight containers for easy reheating. Refrigerate for up to 3 days and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave.