Super Easy Sweet Potato Cottage Pie Recipe

Serves 6
 

• Heat the oven to 375°F/190°C/Gas 5
• Place the sweet potatoes  into  pan of cold water, bring to the boil and cook until soft. Once cooked drain through a colander,
• Place the milk and butter in the pan used to boil the potatoes, return to the heat and warm gently until the butter has melted. Add the sweet potatoes and mash into the butter and milk to create a creamy mash. Taste and season , then keep to one side.

• Melt the lard or dripping in a large deep pan. Add the onion and carrot and fry gently for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, taking care not to burn the garlic.
• Add the minced beef and one-third of the beef stock to the onion and carrot mixture and cook, stirring constantly until all the meat is browned. Add the remaining stock, parsley and mushrooms, season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes.
• Remove the lid and cook uncovered for 10 minutes to reduce the sauce slightly.
• Place the meat sauce into an 8"/ 20cm by 3"/7cm deep ceramic or glass ovenproof dish and cover with the sweet mashed potatoes. Sprinkle the grated cheese potato on top and bake in the heated oven for 30 - 35 mins until the surface is crisp and browned. Remove the pie form the oven and leave to stand for 5 minutes before serving. The pie is lovely with a bowl of buttered peas.

Alternative to Sweet Potato

The sweet potatoes bring, unsurprisingly, a sweetness to the pie which matches so well with the meat and gravy of the filling. You can also use a mixture of swede and carrot which brings the same benefits for those wanting a low carb approach, and also brings extra flavour and a slightly different texture.