Cottage Pie Mac and Cheese with Crispy Onions

A hearty and comforting mashup of classic cottage pie and creamy mac and cheese, topped with crispy fried onions for added texture and flavor.

Prep Time

20 minutes

Total Time

55 minutes

Calories

950

Level

Medium

Yields

4 servings

Cost

£4.57

Season:

Meal Type:

Cuisine:

Mood:

Ingredients

Servings

1poundElbow Macaroni

£0.80

1poundGround Beef(Lean ground beef recommended)

£5.50

1Onion(Medium, chopped)

£0.50

2Carrots(Medium, diced)

£0.30

2stalksCelery(Diced)

£0.40

2tablespoonsTomato Paste

£0.20

1cupBeef Broth

£0.30

1tablespoonWorcestershire Sauce

£0.15

1teaspoonDried Thyme

£0.10

1cupFrozen Peas

£0.40

4tablespoonsButter(Divided)

£0.50

4tablespoonsAll-Purpose Flour

£0.05

3cupsMilk(Whole milk recommended)

£0.75

3cupsSharp Cheddar Cheese(Shredded)

£3.50

1cupGruyere Cheese(Shredded (optional, adds depth of flavor))

£4.00

1teaspoonSalt(Or to taste)

£0.01

0.5teaspoonBlack Pepper(Or to taste)

£0.05

0.5cupCrispy Fried Onions(Canned or homemade)

£0.75

Total Cost

£18.26

£4.57 per serving

The Method

1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3
While the macaroni is cooking, prepare the cottage pie filling. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef. Drain off any excess grease.
4
Add onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
5
Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and dried thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
6
Stir in frozen peas and cook for 2 minutes more.
7
While the cottage pie filling is simmering, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
8
Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
9
Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese and Gruyere cheese (if using) until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
11
Pour half of the mac and cheese into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
12
Spread the cottage pie filling evenly over the mac and cheese.
13
Top with the remaining mac and cheese.
14
Sprinkle crispy fried onions evenly over the top.
15
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
16
Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (450g)

950 kcal / 3975 kJ

Carbs

65g

25% of RDA

Fat

55g

79% of RDA

Protein

55g

110% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

6 g

20% of RDA

Sugar

15 g

17% of RDA

Sodium

1200 mg

52% of RDA

Saturated Fat

35 g

175% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For a richer flavor, use a blend of cheeses in the cheese sauce.

Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese sauce for a warm, comforting flavor.

If you don't have Gruyere cheese, you can substitute it with another type of cheese like Monterey Jack or Colby Jack.

To make ahead, assemble the dish and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with lentils or a vegetarian ground meat substitute.

Cooking Equipment

Oven

Stovetop

Large Pot

Large Skillet

9x13 inch Baking Dish

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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