Delia Smith Cottage Pie with Cinnamon

This comforting cottage pie is rich, deeply savoury, and finished with a gently spiced warmth from a touch of cinnamon. The minced beef filling is slow-cooked until tender and full of flavour, then topped with creamy mashed potatoes that bake to a lightly golden finish. It is a straightforward, no-fuss recipe that suits both beginners and confident home cooks. From start to finish, allow around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Ingredients

For the beef filling

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 500g beef mince
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 500ml beef stock
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the potato topping

• 900g potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 50g butter
• 3 tbsp milk

How to Make Delia Smith Cottage Pie with Cinnamon

• Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan. Place a shelf in the middle so the pie heats evenly and browns gently.
• Cook the filling: Heat the oil in a large pan, soften the onion and carrots, then brown the minced beef thoroughly.
• Build the sauce: Stir in the flour, followed by stock, tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, cinnamon, seasoning, and simmer until thick.
• Make the mash: Boil the potatoes until tender, drain well, then mash with butter and milk until smooth.
• Assemble and bake: Spoon the beef into a dish, top with mash, roughen the surface, and bake until golden and bubbling.

Tips

How do I stop the mash from sinking?

Make sure the beef filling is thick and not too liquid before adding the potatoes.

Can I taste the cinnamon?

The amount is subtle and warming rather than sweet. It enhances the beef without overpowering it.

How do I get a crisp top?

Rough up the mashed potatoes with a fork so the peaks brown nicely in the oven.

Serving Suggestions

• Steamed green beans or peas
• Buttered cabbage
• A simple green salad

Storage

Room temperature

Allow to cool and keep for up to 2 hours before refrigerating.

Refrigerator

Store covered for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

Freezing

Freeze fully cooled portions for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight and reheat until piping hot.

Nutrition

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated fat: 12 g
• Sodium: 620 mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.

FAQs

Delia Smith Cottage Pie with Cinnamon

Recipe by Milli RoseCourse: Main CourseCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

25

minutes

Cooking time

50

minutes

Total time

90

minutes

Calories

520

kcal

1

hour 

15

minutes

A classic British cottage pie made with minced beef, vegetables, and a subtle hint of cinnamon, finished with creamy mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 2 carrots, diced

• 500g beef mince

• 2 tbsp plain flour

• 500ml beef stock

• 2 tbsp tomato purée

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 900g potatoes, peeled and chopped

• 50g butter

• 3 tbsp milk

• Butter, for greasing

• Fresh parsley, to garnish

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan and lightly grease a deep ovenproof dish.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan, add the onion and carrots, and cook gently for 5 minutes until softened.
• Add the minced beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
• Stir in the flour, then gradually add the stock, tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
• Simmer gently for 20 minutes until thickened and rich.
• Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, then drain and mash with butter and milk until smooth.
• Spoon the beef mixture into the dish, top with mashed potatoes, and rough up the surface with a fork.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until piping hot and lightly golden on top.
• Rest for 5 minutes before serving, then garnish with parsley.

Notes

• A light hand with cinnamon keeps the flavour warm, not sweet.
• Allow the pie to rest briefly for easier serving.
• Can be prepared ahead and baked when needed.