• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Southern Discourse

Southern Discourse

Food, Faith & Southern Hospitality!

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Casseroles
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Sauces & Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Collections
  • Hospitality
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Everyday
  • About
  • Subscribe
Home › Recipes
15 Comments

Southern Cottage Pie: Comfort Food At Its Best

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Jul 19, 2022

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links.

Growing up, we used to eat this dish my mom called “meat pie.”  It was one of my favorites.  There was just something about a flaky, golden crust combined with layers of melted cheesy goodness, meat and potatoes that just said comfort food like nothing else.  It was a family meal.  Mom’s “meat pie” just felt like home.

When I got married, I took up the mantle of making “meat pie” for my own family.  It’s one of those dishes that, as soon as it hits the oven, beckons each member of the household to wander through, one at a time, peek in the oven, and ask “Are you making that pie?” It’s a favorite.  And here lately, I’ve had to make two just to make sure I keep the plates filled.

 

But let’s be honest.  The name “meat pie” is not that glamorous. And, I hate to say it, but it made me a little hesitant to share the recipe- “Here try this recipe for Meat Pie.  You’re going to love it!” That just never seemed to go over very well.  So that put me on a hunt. 

I found that the English have lots of delicious savory pies (I have a secret love for The Great British Baking Show and just adore Mary Berry).  They are quite unapologetic about bundling up all sorts of yummy morsels in a crust and giving them perfect little names like purses, parcels, and pockets.  They also have a delicious little dish called a ‘cottage pie’ which is quite similar to that golden comfort pie I grew up with.  Not the exactly the same, but close enough for a little British inspiration. 

Thus, the name Southern Cottage Pie was born…  And with it, the ability to share this recipe with you.


Southern Cottage Pie

Ingredients:

  • 2 ¼ lbs. ground beef
  • 1 ½ lbs. mini red potatoes, quartered, boiled until tender, and drained
  • 2 C grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 pt. cream
  • 4-5 green onions
  • 2 pre-prepared pie crusts
  • salt, pepper, and minced garlic
  • 12-13 inch cast iron skillet

Process:

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Quarter your potatoes and put them on to boil.  While the potatoes are boiling, it’s good time to brown the ground beef and make the cheese sauce so that all of your ingredients are prepared when it’s time to assemble and bake your pie.

Use a large skillet to brown the meat.  Add salt, pepper, and garlic to season to taste.  Chop the green onions and add to the meat as it is browning.  When browned, set aside to cool.

To make the cheese sauce, use a medium sauce pan.  Over low heat, slowly warm the cream.  Add ¼ tsp. each of salt, pepper, and garlic.  When the cream is warm, add the cheese ½ C at a time, stirring until melted each time.  When all of the cheese is completely melted, remove from heat and set aside.

Grease the bottom and sides of your skillet so that your crust doesn’t stick.  Line the bottom of the skillet with one of the pre-made crusts.  I use this 12 inch cast iron skillet by Lodge  and have for years.  That’s the things about cast iron, it will last a lifetime and only gets better with age!  For storing my cast iron and other skillets (because sometimes that can be a problem on its own), this storage rack that fits right into my cabinet really is a true space saver for me.

Fill the bottom of the crust with the browned meat, then cover with the potatoes.  Then pour your cheese sauce over the top.  Your cottage pie is starting to take shape!

Place the second crust over the top.  Seal the edges of the top and bottom crust together and crimp.  Sometimes, I have to use a knife to pull the bottom crust away from the side of the skillet so that I can have an edge to press together with, or seal, with the top crust.  It can get messy or start to seem like a disaster, but don’t give up!  It will all turn out in the end! This step takes a little patience.  Cut some slits in the center of the pie to vent the air as it is baking.  Pop it in the oven, and let bake for 45 min- 1 hour.  Let cool 10-15 min before serving.

Doesn’t this look delicious!  I can’t wait for you to share it with your family.  I just know they will love it as much as mine.  Happy comfort food!

***

Pin this recipe here!

A meat and potatoes pie filled with cheese sauce. The perfect comfort food to bring the family together.

Want more comfort food recipes?  Try these ASD favorites!

Skillet Blackberry Cobbler

Natchitoches Meat Pies

Mamaw’s Apple Cake

Southern Sweet Potato Soup

 

Southern Cottage Pie

A savory dinner pie filled with meat, potatoes, and cheese. The perfect family comfort food.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour
Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ lbs. ground beef
  • 1 ½ lbs. mini red potatoes quartered, boiled until tender, and drained
  • 2 C grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 pt. cream
  • 4-5 green onions chopped
  • 2 pre-prepared pie crusts
  • salt pepper, and minced garlic
  • 12-13 inch cast iron skillet

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • In a large skillet, brown the meat. While browning, add chopped green onions. Add salt, pepper, and garlic to season to taste. When browned, set aside to cool.
  • In a medium sauce pan, over low heat, slowly warm the cream. Add ¼ tsp. each of salt, pepper, and garlic. When the cream is warm, add the cheese ½ C at a time, stirring until melted each time. When all of the cheese is completely melted, remove from heat and set aside.
  • Grease the bottom and sides of skillet. Line the bottom of the skillet with one of the pre-made crusts.
  • Fill the crust with the browned meat. Cover with the boiled potatoes. Pour cheese sauce over potatoes.
  • Place the second crust over the top of the pie. Seal the edges of the top and bottom crust together and crimp. Cut slits in the center of the pie to vent air while baking.
  • Bake for 45 min. to 1 hour.
  • Let cool 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Did you make my Southern Cottage Pie?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
Tag on Insta Leave a Rating

This post contains affiliate links.  I earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if any purchases are made when you click through those links, even if what you purchase isn’t the ASD pick.  That commission is an essential part of what keeps A Southern Discourse up and running.  Thank you so much for being a part of ASD!

A Southern Discourse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share this!

  • Facebook
  • Yummly
  • Email

Filed Under: Main Dishes, Recipes Tagged With: beef

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Mail

Join Southern Discourse

Subscribe today to never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Rate & Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Kristen

    October 6, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    Oh, yum! Going on my list! 😉 And YES…I not-so-secretly love the Great British Bake-Off! Jeremy and I have watched all of them! =)

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      October 8, 2017 at 4:02 pm

      Kristen,

      I should have known that you watched that show too! I think you and Jeremy will love this pie!

      Reply
      • Sue

        October 16, 2017 at 11:28 am

        I watch it, too! Can’t get to Great Britain so it comes to me!

        Reply
        • Stacey Pirtlestacey

          October 17, 2017 at 4:18 pm

          Isn’t it great?! I love the way they bake all those pies and pastries!! They are all so talented and know so MUCH about baking!

          Reply
  2. Kathryn Hardesty

    August 22, 2019 at 6:28 pm

    Can this be made ahead of time?

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      August 23, 2019 at 9:05 am

      Hi, Kathryn!

      The meat, potatoes and cheese sauce can be made ahead of time, but pie crusts need to baked when they are made (or unboxed!). So, for make ahead, I recommend making the filling ahead of time, then putting it all together and baking the day of. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  3. Len Cook

    November 9, 2020 at 9:53 pm

    Stacey;

    Your recipe for Southern Cottage Pie calls for 1 pt. cream. Would that be 1/2 1/2 cream or heavy cream?

    Thank you.

    Len

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      November 9, 2020 at 11:27 pm

      Hi, Len! Either works and makes a scrumptious dinner pie, but personally I prefer half & half. I hope you enjoy this recipe!

      Reply
  4. Victoria

    May 12, 2022 at 9:55 pm

    Hey Stacey! This recipe sounds scrumptious!
    Do you drain your meat after it is browned or keep some of the grease?
    Do you typically cook with 80/20 or a higher percentage?
    Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      May 18, 2022 at 2:34 pm

      Hi, Victoria! I do drain the meat after browning it. I usually use a 90/10 fat to ground beef ratio (sometimes with that ratio there isn’t much to drain off). I am so glad you are making this recipe! It’s such a yummy comfort dish!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Meal Plan Monday #84 | Southern Plate says:
    October 13, 2017 at 6:05 am

    […] Southern Cottage Pie from a Southern Discourse starts the meal off today! […]

    Reply
  2. Meal Plan Monday #84 ~ Southern Cottage Pie | A Southern Soul says:
    October 13, 2017 at 8:44 am

    […] Southern Cottage Pie from a Southern Discourse starts the meal off today! […]

    Reply
  3. Instant Pot Beef Tips – Weekend Potluck 299 says:
    January 24, 2018 at 1:46 pm

    […] Southern Cottage Pie by A Southern Discourse […]

    Reply
  4. Meal Plan Monday #84 - Julias Simply Southern says:
    January 29, 2018 at 6:59 am

    […] Southern Cottage Pie from a Southern Discourse starts the meal off today! Large Family Table offers up a wonderful recipe for freezer fruit bread Butterfinger Cake Mix Cookies come in for a little treat from Soulfully Made   and our Host Recipe of the Week is Candy Corn Poke Cake from SouthernPlate! […]

    Reply
  5. Meal Plan Monday #84 - Southern Bite says:
    May 10, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    […] Southern Cottage Pie from a Southern Discourse starts the meal off today! […]

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Mail

Join Southern Discourse

Never miss a new post!

Reader Favorites

  • A finished skillet of Dirty Rice.Louisiana Dirty Rice
  • Whipped Feta Dip with honeyWhipped Feta with Honey Dip
  • Fresh salsa with cilantro and lime titleFresh Salsa with Cilantro & Lime
  • Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato WedgesGarlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges
  • upclose of fried cornmeal coatingHomemade Cornmeal Fish Fry Mix
  • Easy Crock Pot BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs

Recipes by Category

  • Appetizers
  • Beverages
  • Bread
  • Breakfast & Brunch
  • Casseroles
  • Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads
  • Sandwiches
  • Sauces & Dessings
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups
Southern Discourse
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Mail

Join Southern Discourse

Subscribe today to never miss a post!

© 2023 · Southern Discourse · Terms · Privacy · Cookies · Accessibility