Traditional cottage pie is made with beef and mashed potatoes loaded with all manner of dairy, so it should come as no surprise that this fat laden carb bomb is a comfort food favorite. There is no universe in which cottage pie is a healthy food, but we’ve lightened the load in our Rustic Vegan Cottage Pie, which is entirely plant-based, soy-free, and gluten-free.
We’re keeping it real with potatoes but opting for small spuds with skins and a rough mash that crisps along the edges as it bakes. Using cabernet sauvignon and just a touch of cocoa powder adds intensity and depth to the filling, which is made with Beyond Beef Plant-Based Ground. Don’t skip it. Pick a good cab, and serve with the meal, if you are so inclined. We You’ll never miss the meat or dairy, and each bite is like a warm hug…or maybe that’s the cab talking. Either way, it’s worth every single carb, and still under 400 calories. No side dish is required here, but baby spinach and arugula tossed with a squeeze of lemon and pinch of ground black pepper make a nice contrast to the hearty pie. Cheers!
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Rustic Vegan Cottage Pie
Rustic Vegan Cottage Pie made with Beyond plant-based ground and Daiya cheddar shreds.
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 pound Beyond Beef Plant-Based Ground
- 3 medium carrots, diced
- 1 medium parsnip, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 rib celery, finely diced
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted vegetable broth, divided
- 2 tbsp cabernet sauvignon
- 2 tbsp Vegan Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp Anthony’s Arrowroot Flour
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process (trust us)
For the Topping
- 1 1/2 pounds Boomer Gold Creamer Potatoes (or similar baby potatoes)
- 1/4 cup Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds (vegan cheddar)
- 2 tbsp unsweetened, plain almond milk, room temperature
- 2 tbsp Miyoko’s Vegan Butter
- 2 tbsp plain, unsweetened almond yogurt
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prep all vegetables. Rinse the potatoes, add to a large pot, and cover with cold water by 2-3 inches.
- Place casserole dish or six one-cup ramekins on a large, rimmed baking sheet.
For the Filling
- Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat, add onion and cook until translucent (5-7 minutes). Add carrots, parsnip, and celery, and cook 5-7 minutes, stirring as needed. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, then push all vegetables to one side of the pan.
- Add the Beyond ground plant-based meat, flatten, and break into a crumble. Flip the vegetables on top of the meat as you spread it out, so the meat is on the bottom of the pan and the vegetables are on top. Increase heat to medium-high and let cook for a minute before flipping and continuing to break into a crumble. Continue cooking another 3 minutes, until browned and most of the liquid is gone.
- Combine arrowroot flour and a tablespoon of the broth (one teaspoon at a time) in a mug or glass measuring cup to make a smooth slurry. Set aside.
- In a large glass measuring cup, whisk remaining broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, coconut aminos, and cocoa powder together until smooth. Add to the pan and reduce heat to medium-low.
- Combine the thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl then add to the pan. Stir to combine completely and add the bay leaves. Bring to simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and thickens almost to a gravy consistency. Remove from heat, discard the bay leaves, add the arrowroot slurry, and stir to combine. NOTE: Start boiling the potatoes while filling is simmering.
- Transfer filling to a casserole dish or divide filling between six one-cup ramekins (about 1/2 cup filling each). Allow filling to cool as much as possible before topping with potatoes. Enjoy a glass of cab. You’ve earned it.
For the Topping
- While filling is simmering, bring the potatoes to a boil over high heat. Boil until fork tender (not too mushy). Timing will vary based on the size and variety of potatoes used.
- Drain and return the potatoes to the pot, let sit uncovered for 5 minutes release excess steam. By now, the filling should be done cooking and transferred into the casserole dish or ramekins.
- Place oven rack at center position and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add the almond yogurt, almond milk, and Miyoko’s vegan butter to the potatoes stir with a silicone spatula to coat evenly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then mash roughly (don’t overdo it). Add the shredded Daiya cheddar and gently fold with the spatula to evenly distribute.
- For Casserole: Drop heaping spoonfuls of the potato mixture evenly across the top of the filling and press gently with the back of a spoon to create an even layer, going all the way to the edges. For Ramekins: Use a 1/3-cup measuring scoop to scoop the potato mixture into each ramekin and use the back of a spoon to flatten to the edges.
- Bake at 350 degrees F, 20 minutes for ramekins, and 30 minutes for casserole, then remove the pan from the oven and set oven to broil (may need to move rack up, depending on oven). Broil, 3-5 minutes, until golden brown. Let stand for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Best served immediately. Cool leftovers completely then refrigerate, covered, up to four days. Reheat gently in a skillet, over medium-low heat.
Nutrition Estimate Per Serving (1/6 RECIPE) – Calories: 365, Fat: 18.8, Saturated Fat: 6.6g, Trans Fat: 0g, Polyunsaturated Fat: .2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1.6g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 704, Potassium: 799mg Carbohydrates: 60g total/54.8g net, Fiber: 5.2g, Sugar: 5.9g, Protein: 16.9g, Vitamin A: 85%, Vitamin C: 9% Calcium: 9.5%, Iron: 20% (based on 2,000 calorie diet).
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 60
- Category: Entrée, Main Course
- Method: Stove Top, Baking
- Cuisine: English, Plant-Based
- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: VEGAN COTTAGE PIE, BEYOND MEAT COTTAGE PIE, BEYOND GROUND, SOY-FREE, GLUTEN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE, VEGAN, COMFORT FOOD, VEGETARIAN, BEYOND BEEF, PLANT-BASED, DAIYA, COTTAGE PIE