Comfort with a twist! This version of Cottage Pie replaces the ground beef with meatballs for a comforting, filling, family-friendly dinner.
Meatballs are always a hit! Try more of our favorite meatball dishes, like these Sweet and Sour Meatballs or these Slow Cooker Mexican Meatballs.
I love the fresh produce of summer and early fall. The corn, the tomatoes, the green chiles from my parents. I just can’t get enough.
But really – I have a special place in my heart for the comfort foods of fall and winter. I start getting sad when the temperatures start dropping, but then I remember that I get to make comfort food 24/7 and my heart skips a beat. Yep – call me a casserole girl.
I know that casseroles get a bad rap, but I also happen to know that people really do love them. Even if they don’t want to admit to it. Penne Pasta Bake, Taco Casserole, even a Breakfast Casserole with Ham and Cheese – I think that casseroles are the new black.
Because casserole = comfort. And you can’t go wrong with comfort.
I’m diving right into comfort food season. Up first to bat is this Meatball Cottage Pie.
So I grew up calling it a Shepherd’s Pie. But did you know that technically, it has to be made with lamb to be called a Shepherd’s Pie? The version that so many of us are familiar with – with ground beef – is actually called a Cottage Pie.
And, well, I’m sticking with beef today. In the form of meatballs.
One of the staples that we keep in the freezer to help out with dinner in a pinch are frozen meatballs. They really are a saver. And they are a budget saver.
This recipe is super easy. The meatballs are cooked in an easy gravy with vegetables, then they are topped with creamy homemade mashed potatoes. Throw the whole thing into the oven, and then dinner is served. While there is some cooking time involved, the hands on time is minimal, and the whole thing can actually be done in advance. Just warm it through in the oven before serving it! I love a good make-ahead meal! And the meal is super budget friendly, as well, which makes it a win-win!
So I’m welcoming in fall with this fun twist on traditional cottage pie. And I’m deeming it official comfort food season!
Ingredients
- Oil: This is just a neutral oil to cook your vegetables in. You can use vegetable oil, olive oil, avocado oil – or any oil that you use for cooking,
- Vegetables: This dish is veggie packed! For the gravy, you will need onions, carrots, and garlic, and then later in the recipe you will need peas. You will also need potatoes for the mashed potatoes on top. I like to use russet potatoes.
- Tomato Paste: This brings some acidity to the filling.
- Flour: You will need the flour to thicken up the gravy.
- Broth: I like to use beef broth, or even chicken broth.
- Worcestershire Sauce: The Worcestershire sauce adds flavor and depth.
- Meatballs: You can use frozen store-bought meatballs, or feel free to use homemade meatballs.
- Cheese: A bit of parmesan cheese in the potatoes adds lots of flavor.
- Egg: The egg is needed in the potatoes to help them to set up.
How to Make Meatball Cottage Pie
- Make the gravy by cooking the onion and carrot until softened, then add in the tomato paste and the garlic. Stir in the broth slowly, along with the Worcestershire sauce. Once this is simmering, add the meatballs. Cover, and then let the mixture simmer.
- While this mixture is simmering, make the potatoes by boiling them until they are tender. Once tender, drain and then mash them, adding in the butter and parmesan. Stir in the egg, and add milk as needed to make the potatoes smooth. Don’t forget to season them with salt and pepper.
- Add the peas to the meatball mixture, then pour the mixture into a baking dish. Spoon the potatoes over the top of the meatballs, then bake the casserole until the top is golden brown.
More Comforting Casseroles
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Tuna Casserole
Chicken Tamale Casserole
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Meatball Cottage Pie
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced carrot
- 1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 1/4 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper
- 1 1/2 lbs (about 38) frozen meatballs
- 2 1/2 lbs potatoes (Russet are best), peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- milk as needed
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add in the tomato paste and garlic and stir for a minute. Stir in the flour and cook an additional minute. Slowly stir i the beef broth and then the Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add the meatballs. Cover, reduce the heat, and allow to cook for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add the potatoes to a large pot, then fill with enough water to cover the potatoes by a couple inches. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes, then return the potatoes to the same pan and let them sit for a minute or two. Add in the butter and parmesan. Mash with a potato masher until smooth, then stir in the egg. Add in milk, if needed, to reach your desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Stir the peas into the meatball mixture. Pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the potatoes on top of the meatball mixture, then spread out gently with a spoon to cover the top. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Chels R. says
Love this! I adore shepard’s pie, but these meatballs are such a fun idea!
Kristen says
All these meatball recipes on the blogosphere today have me craving comfort food like this! So creative!
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
My family would love this kind of comfort food!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
This is perfect winter comfort food. Gotta love a good casserole, especially one with meatballs!
ashley@blondegirlcravings says
This looks fantastic! I always keep homemade meatballs in my freezer for quick meals, I will be making this for sure. I LOVE a casserole!
Kim Beaulieu says
This is amazing. I love meatballs and so does my family so this would be a huge hit in my household.
Teresa says
This sounds so interesting.
Mary says
Great idea for a comfort meal. Thanks.
Diane {Created by Diane} says
this really is comfort food, bring on the cold weather….the is a must make!
Cookin Canuck says
Now that is comfort food done right! And yep, my grandmother made an amazing Shepherd’s pie, always with lamb. It looks like I need to try this cottage pie now.
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
What a great idea! And thanks for knowing the difference between cottage pie and shepherd’s pie. My husband is British, and he’s drummed into me the difference (beef vs. lamb) and yells at me every time I don’t correct a fellow food blogger (because duh, manners, husband). Thanks for helping me avoid that entire awkward argument with him and also giving me a fantastic idea!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
Wow! My family would totally love this! My kind of comfort food for sure!
Mandy {Baking with Blondie} says
This is amazing!!! I seriously can’t wait to try this amazing pie – comfort food come to Mamma!!
Karly says
Love love love this easy dinner! It looks so comforting and tasty.
bev @ bevcooks says
Ooooo I like it!
amanda @ fake ginger says
This looks amazing! I’ve never been able to get my kids to eat shepherd’s or cottage pie but they’ll eat anything with meatballs so I gotta try this one them!