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Golden brown turkey cottage pie in a baking dish, with a scoop removed showing the savory turkey and vegetable filling underneath the creamy mashed potato topping.
Emily Carter

Turkey Cottage Pie

A hearty and budget-friendly turkey cottage pie recipe, perfect for a comforting family meal without breaking the bank.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 455.5

Ingredients
  

For the Filling
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 oz cremini (baby bella) mushrooms roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 large carrots diced
  • 3 celery ribs diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • ½ teaspoon rubbed sage
  • 1 ½ lbs ground turkey 85/15 recommended
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
For the Mashed Potato Topping
  • 2 ½ lbs Russet potatoes peeled and quartered
  • ⅓ cup milk whole or 2%
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot
  • 1 Large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven or 9x13 inch baking dish
  • 1 potato masher
  • 1 Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place the peeled and quartered Russet potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water by about an inch, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain well and set aside.
  3. While potatoes cook, heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped mushrooms and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply browned. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the skillet with the mushrooms. Once melted, add the diced yellow onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring until the vegetables soften.
  5. Stir in the minced garlic, dried marjoram, and rubbed sage. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Continue to cook until no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
  7. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the turkey and vegetables, stirring well to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
  8. Stir in the tomato paste, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix thoroughly.
  9. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, stirring until the sauce thickens. Season the filling with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste. Stir in the frozen peas until just heated through. Remove the skillet from heat.
  10. Mash the drained potatoes with 1/3 cup milk, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until smooth and creamy. If using, stir in the optional minced chives.
  11. Spoon the mashed potatoes evenly over the turkey filling in the skillet (or transfer the filling to a 9x13 inch baking dish if your skillet isn't oven-safe). Spread to the edges and sprinkle with 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  12. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Make Ahead: This cottage pie can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Add 15-20 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Freezing: Leftovers freeze well for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Budget Tip: If fresh chives are too pricey, dried chives can be used sparingly, or omit them entirely. The pie will still be delicious!