Baked Cheddar and Leek Cottage Pie

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A hearty British cottage pie layered with sautéed leeks and sharp cheddar cheese under a golden mashed potato crust. This British-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, layers ground beef, leeks, unsalted butter into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 British cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Boil 2 lbs peeled and chunked potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain and mash with 1/2 cup milk and 1 tbsp unsalted butter until smooth; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 sliced leeks and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up meat until browned. Stir in 2 tbsp flour and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Step 4: Gradually add 1 cup beef broth, stirring constantly until sauce thickens. Stir in 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Remove from heat.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the beef and leek mixture to a baking dish (about 9x9 inches). Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the potatoes.
  6. Step 6: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and golden. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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