Cottage Pie Baked Potatoes.

Cottage pie baked potatoes offer a delightful twist to the classic cottage pie by serving it inside baked potatoes. Here’s a simple recipe:Ingredients:

• 4 large baking potatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 pound ground beef or lamb
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup frozen peas
• Grated cheddar cheese (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Scrub the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. Prick each potato several times with a fork and rub them with a little olive oil. Place them on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 45-60 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork.
3. While the potatoes are baking, prepare the cottage pie filling. In a large skillet or frying pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, diced carrot, and celery. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
4. Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned.
5. Stir in the tomato paste, beef or vegetable broth, Worcestershire sauce (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture for about 10-15 minutes or until the liquid reduces slightly and the flavors meld together.
6. Add the frozen peas to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through. Remove the skillet from heat.
7. Once the baked potatoes are done, remove them from the oven. Let them cool slightly, then slice off the top of each potato and scoop out some of the flesh, leaving a shell.
8. Mash the scooped-out potato flesh and mix it into the cottage pie filling.
9. Spoon the cottage pie filling into each potato shell, filling them generously.
10. If desired, sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the top of each filled potato.
11. Place the filled potatoes back in the oven for about 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Remove the cottage pie baked potatoes from the oven. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

These cottage pie baked potatoes make a hearty and satisfying meal, combining the comforting flavors of cottage pie with the simplicity of baked potatoes. Enjoy!