Are you looking for a hearty and comforting meal that will warm you up on a cold winter’s day? Look no further than cottage pie baked beans! This delicious dish combines the classic flavors of cottage pie with the added protein and fiber of baked beans, making it a filling and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Recipe 1: Classic Cottage Pie Baked Beans
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (28 ounces) baked beans
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned.
- Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is tender.
- Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Add baked beans and stir to combine.
- Spread mashed potatoes over beef mixture in skillet.
- Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 450
Total fat: 20g
Saturated fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 75mg
Sodium: 1020mg
Total carbohydrate: 43g
Dietary fiber: 8g
Sugars: 12g
Protein: 27g
Cooking Time:
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Equipment:
- Large skillet
- Baking dish
- Potato masher or fork
- Cheese grater
Serving Suggestions:
This dish is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or some garlic bread to round out the meal.
Variations:
If you want to switch things up, you can try adding different types of beans to the dish, such as kidney beans or black beans. You can also experiment with different types of cheese or add some chopped vegetables to the beef mixture.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have ground beef on hand, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken. You can also use instant mashed potatoes instead of making them from scratch.
Storage:
This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Make sure to drain any excess fat from the ground beef before adding the other ingredients.
- If you’re short on time, you can use canned or frozen mashed potatoes instead of making them from scratch.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the beef mixture to a baking dish before adding the mashed potatoes and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make this dish ahead of time?
- Can I use a different type of meat?
- Can I use canned potatoes instead of fresh?
Yes! You can assemble the dish up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it.
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken would work well in this dish.
Yes, you can use canned potatoes if you’re short on time.
Recipe 2: Vegetarian Cottage Pie Baked Beans
Ingredients:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, green beans)
- 1 can (28 ounces) baked beans
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is tender.
- Add mixed vegetables and cook until tender.
- Add baked beans and stir to combine.
- Spread mashed potatoes over vegetable mixture in skillet.
- If desired, sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 300
Total fat: 8g
Saturated fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 860mg
Total carbohydrate: 50g
Dietary fiber: 10g
Sugars: 13g
Protein: 10g
Cooking Time:
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Equipment:
- Large skillet
- Baking dish
- Potato masher or fork
- Cheese grater (optional)
Serving Suggestions:
This dish is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or some crusty bread to round out the meal.
Variations:
If you want to switch things up, you can try adding different types of vegetables to the dish, such as mushrooms or zucchini. You can also experiment with different types of cheese or leave it out altogether for a vegan option.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have mixed vegetables on hand, you can use whatever vegetables you have in the fridge or freezer. You can also use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for a twist on the classic recipe.
Storage:
This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- If you’re short on time, you can use canned or frozen mixed vegetables instead of chopping fresh vegetables.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the vegetable mixture to a baking dish before adding the mashed potatoes and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make this dish ahead of time?
- Can I use a different type of beans?
- Can I leave out the cheese?
Yes! You can assemble the dish up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it.
Of course! You can use any type of beans you like, such as kidney beans or black beans.
Yes, you can leave out the cheese for a vegan option.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a meat-eater or a vegetarian, cottage pie baked beans is a delicious and filling meal that is sure to become a family favorite. With these two recipes, you can experiment with different ingredients and find the perfect combination that works for you. So why not give it a try and see what all the fuss is about?