Dairy-Free and Egg-Free Cottage Pie is a tasty comforting meal with ground beef, carrots, peas, onion, and garlic. Topped off with fluffy mashed potatoes. You may know this dish as Shepherd's Pie, but I'll let you know the difference!
Let's just get right into it – what's the difference between cottage pie and shepherd's pie? There are many variations on this meat pie but the main difference between the two is that cottage pie contains beef and shepherd's pie contains lamb. If you're vegan or vegetarian, there are meatless versions out there that use lentils, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms. Should I experiment with that next? I think we all know the answer to that is HECK YES!
I have made this dairy-free and egg-free cottage pie a few times and I always want to go back for seconds. It's just the definition of comfort food! I personally enjoy it most during the fall and winter, when it's freezing outside. However, this dish can be enjoyed year round.
When I made this earlier in the year, I posted about it in my Dairy-Free & Egg-Free Recipes support group and have received numerous recipe requests. I'm sorry for the wait! I know it'll be worth it when you take your first bite.
So how does this delicious dinner come together? Easy peasy! The first step, brown your ground beef. Then toss in onion, carrots, peas, and garlic. This is where I typically pour myself a glass of red wine 😉 Once the veggies have softened, stir in flour, tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, salt, and pepper. As your mixture reduces and thickens up, begin boiling potatoes. Once tender, drain, stir in milk and butter, mash, and set aside. Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and bake.
Dairy-Free and Egg-Free Cottage Pie
Ingredients
For the filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 2 carrots diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the topping
- 4 potatoes roughly chopped
- ⅔ cup dairy-free milk
- 2 tablespoons dairy-free butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in onion, carrots, peas, and garlic. Cook until soft.
- Add flour, then tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Bring to a simmer, stir, and turn down heat to low-medium heat. Let cook until it reduces down and thickens to your desired consistency.
- Transfer to a baking dish, cover, then place in the freezer. Preheat oven to 350F.
- Cook potatoes in boiling water for about 15 minutes or until fork tender. Drain then return to pot. Add dairy-free milk and butter then mash until smooth.
- Take the baking dish out of freezer and top with mashed potatoes. Using a fork, create a rough topping. If desired, drizzle with a little olive oil.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden on the top and bubbling around the edges. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then serve warm.
John N.
I live with a genetic disorder that makes me allergic to a lot off foods and this is one recipe fits into what I can eat and taste wonderful. I also had to take out the tomato because I'm highly allergic to tomatoes and it turned out splendid.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thank you for sharing, John! I'm so glad you enjoyed this dish 🙂
Zuzana
A great idea on how you have managed to get the layers just perfectly. And it looks really divine. Just ready to dive in. Thanks for sharing.
Jenna | The Urben Life
It's so easy and no-fuss at all 🙂
Jean
Loving the layers in this. That potato layer especially looks so velvety and creamy!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Jean!!
Hope
This is a favourite in my family - the perfect comfort food! I love that you have made this one dairy free, looks very hearty and delicious!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yes! Such a great comforting meal 🙂 Thank you
ChihYu
It looks creamy, hearty, and delicious! They are so perfect for the holiday season as well as colder months!
Jenna | The Urben Life
I totally agree 🙂 Thanks!
Kortney
I didn't know that the difference between the pies was the meat used! Learn something new everyday 😀 This is the perfect winter recipe.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Interesting, right? 🙂 Thanks!
Bailey
This looks so yummy! I loved this growing up but developed dairy sensitivities when I got older. I can't wait to make this!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Bailey! I'm so excited you get to have this again 🙂 Let me know what you think.
Amanda
It's so great that you found such a tasty and heartwarming recipe that takes into account food sensitivities.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Amanda 🙂
Jody
Would this work with gluten free flour?
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yes! You can absolutely use your favorite gluten free flour in place of all purpose flour. I really like Bob’s Red Mill and King Arthur Flour.
Charlotte
Finally! I feel like I’ve been looking for this recipe forever!
Jenna | The Urben Life
I hope you try it soon? Enjoy!!
Ashley
Pardon me while I book a flight to come to your house for dinner haha! This looks sooooo good!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Hahaha!!! Thanks so much 🙂
Kelly Short
I love allergy friendly receipes! We have food allergies in our family and in definitely going to try this recipe!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yay, all my recipes are dairy-free & egg-free! Sometimes vegan & gluten-free. I hope y'all enjoy it 🙂 Let me know if you ever have any allergy-friendly recipe requests.
Justine
Interesting, I always grew up with it being called shepherd's pie and we made it with beef or turkey, but it totally makes sense that shepherds pie would have lamb in it! Thanks for the info!
Jenna | The Urben Life
I think a lot of us did 🙂 You're welcome!
Molly
SHOOT I need to make this ASAP. Looks incredible and I'm all about recipes that are dairy free!!
http://www.mollyonthemoveblog.com
Jenna | The Urben Life
Heck yes, thanks so much!!
Lara
It's hard to find anything this good looking that's dairy free! Sounds amazing!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Lara! I hope you'll have a look around my blog if you're looking for tasty dairy-free recipes 🙂
Lauren
My mum made the best cottage pie growing up. I’m so going to make this for her.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Awh, that makes me so happy 🙂
Tanvi Rastogi
I love the recipe. I am a vegetarian and try and stay away from dairy as much as possible. I will have to try this out.
❥ tanvii.com
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks 🙂 Enjoy!!
Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome
What a tasty recipe and it's awesome that it's dairy free!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Paula 🙂 Always dairy-free & egg-free!!
Mimi
I've never tried cottage pie but it looks delicious! I need to make it
Jenna | The Urben Life
I hope you give it a go 🙂
Farrah
I haven't made a cottage pie in years and I'm not entirely sure why, because they're delicious! I need to try this out! <3!! It looks amazing!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Woohoo, I hope you try it soon 🙂
Ingrid
The Cottage Pie as a variation of Shepherds Pie is one of those pot meals that our family would love. With the ground beef browned and with onion, carrots, peas, and garlic it is sure to taste delicious.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yay, I'm thrilled to hear that 🙂 I hope you and your family enjoy it soon!
Brianna Hobbs
This satiates that comfort food craving like nothing else can! I love that you took such a classic recipe and made it dairy free and egg free.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Aw thanks so much, I really appreciate your comment!
Shay Lachendro
This looks like total comfort food, can't wait to make it when the weather gets a little cooler!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Oh, absolutely 🙂 Let me know what you think!
Cassidy @ Cassidy's Craveable Creations
I never knew the difference between cottage pie and shepherds pie - good to know!! This looks so delicous and comforting 🙂
Jenna | The Urben Life
Yay 🙂 Thanks so much!
Gemma
I never knew the difference. This looks delicious.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks , Gemma 🙂
Jessica
It sounds delish! Saving it to try later.
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks, Jessica! I hope you love it 🙂
GiGi Eats
Well not aren't you a friggin' RECIPE GENIUS!!!!!! Love this idea so much and I do have a head of cauliflower I could use for the topping instead of potatoes!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Awh, thanks GiGi!! OMG that would be so great 🙂
Kathy Hester
I can't wait to see how the Vegan version comes out. I am excited to try it.
Jenna | The Urben Life
I'll be sure to let you know once it's live!!
Em Smith
This looks delicious and easy! I'm about to print the recipe right now!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Happy to hear that, Em! Enjoy 🙂
Amy @ Orison Orchards
I'm glad to know the difference between the two! I have always used hamburger and called it Shepherd's Pie. I'll have to repent, ha, ha! This is my daughter's favorite meal, and she has requested it for her birthday tomorrow. So perfect timing on the recipe! Thank you!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Hahaha – I definitely think Shepherd's Pie is the more common name, so most people just go with that 🙂 At the end of the day, it probably comes back to personal preference. I found the history really interesting though! Wishing your daughter a very happy birthday!!
Gena
I love this recipe! I am staying away from dairy, so it's so nice to how creative people can be using everything but dairy!
Jenna | The Urben Life
Thanks so much, Gena!! I hope you give this dairy-free recipe a try 🙂
Alisa Fleming
This looks like such a comforting winter meal. I think I might need to make this for my husband. He is a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy 🙂
Jenna | The Urben Life
Absolutely, Alisa! He'll love it.