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StovetopComplexity

Cheesy Cottage Pie

Each serving of Cheesy Cottage Pie provides 23g protein and 506 calories, delivering a balanced macro ratio for both training recovery and fat-loss phases. Quick-prep 6 servings on the stovetop to simplify your dinner rotation and reduce cooking frequency throughout the week.

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Ingredients

6 servings
  • Potato, Russet, Baked, Flesh Only(1134g)
  • 1 Tsp Salt, Divided ($0.05)
  • Butter(30g)
  • Whole Milk(120g)
  • Cheddar Cheese(113g)
  • Olive oil(30g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Yellow Onion
  • Garlic(120g)
  • 80/20 Ground Beef(227g)
  • Flour, All-Purpose, White(30g)
  • Low Sodium Beef Broth(240g)
  • Worcestershire Sauce(8g)

    Lea & Perrins is the standard. A little goes a long way.

  • Rosemary, Fresh(5g)
  • Thyme, Dried(3g)
  • Peas And Carrots, Frozen, Mixed(480g)
  • Corn, Sweet, Frozen(240g)
  • 1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)

Instructions

  1. 1Peel and chop the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Rinse them in a colander with cool water, then place them in a pot and add enough fresh water to cover them completely. Add 1/2 tsp salt, place a lid on the pot, and bring it up to a boil over high heat. Boil the potatoes until very tender, about 7-10 minutes.
  2. 2Drain the potatoes in a colander and rinse them again briefly with hot water. This removes excess starch and helps give the mashed potatoes a light and fluffy texture.
  3. 3While the potatoes are draining, add the butter and milk to the pot used to boil the potatoes. Heat the butter and milk over low until the butter is melted and the milk is hot. Add the drained potatoes back to the pot, then mash until smooth. Taste and add salt to taste (about 1/2 tsp). Stir in the shredded cheddar. Set the potatoes aside until you're ready to assemble the casserole.
  4. 4While the potatoes are cooking, begin to preheat the oven to 350ºF and begin the filling for the cottage pie. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a large skillet along with the olive oil and sauté over medium until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  5. 5Add the beef to the skillet and continue to sauté until the beef is fully cooked. Add the all-purpose flour and continue to stir and cook for about 2 minutes more, or until the flour coats the bottom of the skillet. 
  6. 6Add the beef broth and stir to dissolve the flour from the bottom of the skillet. The broth will come up to a simmer fairly quickly, at which point it will thicken into a gravy.
  7. 7Add the Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, frozen peas and carrots, and frozen corn to the skillet. Heat through, then taste and add salt if needed (I added 1/2 tsp).
  8. 8Finally, assemble the cottage pie by transferring the beef and vegetable mixture to the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish (mine was 9"x11"). Top with dollops of the warm cheesy mashed potatoes, spreading it out smooth to cover the surface.
  9. 9Bake the Cheesy Cottage Pie for 30 minutes in the preheated 350ºF oven. If you want extra browning on top, switch the oven to broil after baking and allow it to broil for a few minutes or until the desired browning has been achieved. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition — Per Serving

506

calories

23g

protein

25g

fat

Carbohydrates
54g
Saturated fat
10.3g
Sodium
345 mg
Dietary fiber
9.5g

6 servings per batch · ~463g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Cheesy Cottage Pie have per serving?

Each serving delivers 23g of protein with 506 calories, 25g fat, and 54g carbs. The protein-to-calorie ratio is moderate, making this more suited as a side or lighter dinner option.

How long does Cheesy Cottage Pie take to prep?

Marked as quick prep and yields 6 servings from one stovetop session, making it efficient for batch cooking. You're set up for multiple dinners without extended active cooking time.

Is Cheesy Cottage Pie good for fat loss?

At 506 calories per serving with 23g protein, this recipe fits a fat-loss diet when paired with higher-protein meals elsewhere in your day. The carb and fat content is moderate, leaving room for additional protein sources.

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