preparation time:

40 minutes

cooking time:

30 Minutes

If you don't have any of these tools, click on them to find out what they are!

Deep Sauce Pan

Pie Dish

Chef Knife

Chopping Board

Spatula

Colander

Step 1.

Heat the oil in a deep, thick bottomed pan.

Step 2.

Add the onion and carrots and cook them over medium heat for about 5 mins, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have started to soften.

Step 3.

Add the beef to the pan and cook for about 5-10 mins, stirring to break up the meat, until it browns. Don't be afraid to let it sit and get some colour!

Step 4.

Add the mushrooms to the pan and cook for a few minutes.

Step 5.

Sprinkle the flour over the beef, then mix it in well and stir it while it cooks out for about 3 minutes.

The flour will absorb the fat that comes out of the meat, which will then give you a nice thick sauce.

Step 6.

Pour in the can of tomatoes, sprinkle in the beef stock cube, and bring the mixture to the boil.

Stir the mix continually, then turn down the heat and simmer it for about 10 minutes. When it looks like it's thickened slightly and the vegetables are soft, then your sauce is cooked.

If the sauce seems very thick, just add a little boiling water.

Step 7.

Set oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6.

Step 8.

Stir the Worcestershire sauce into mince, then scoop the mix into a pie dish and flatten it so you can put potato on top.

Step 9. The mashed Potato Top

Bring a pan of salted water to a boil.

Peel your potatoes, and cut them into 2cm squares.

Boil your potatoes and cook until tender but not quite falling apart, about 15 minutes.

Drain your potatoes using a colander and put them back into your pan.

Add the knob of butter and using a potato masher or electric beater, mash the potatoes! Slowly mash the milk into potatoes until smooth and creamy (you don't have to add all the milk).

Season the mashed potato with salt and pepper.

Step 10.

Scoop some mashed potatoes into little piles all over the top of your mince, and using a fork, gently try and move the potato all over the top, covering the meat.

If it looks ugly and messy, that's' fine, in fact it's probably better!

Step 11.

Bake the cottage pie in the centre of the oven for about 20-30 mins, or until the mashed potatoes are golden and the filling is bubbling.  Serve straight from the oven!