Definition

1. Noun:
   • A savory dish consisting of minced meat (typically beef) cooked in gravy or sauce, topped with a layer of mashed potatoes, and baked until golden brown. It is a traditional British dish, similar to shepherd's pie, but traditionally made with beef rather than lamb.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • For dinner, she prepared a hearty cottage pie with a crispy potato topping.
  • The pub's specialty is its classic cottage pie, served with peas.
  • Leftover cottage pie tastes even better the next day.

Advanced Usage

• As a culinary term: "Cottage pie" refers specifically to the baked dish. The term can be used in menu descriptions and culinary writing.
  • The recipe for a traditional cottage pie calls for finely minced beef and a rich onion gravy.

Variants and Related Words

• Shepherd's pie (n): A very similar dish traditionally made with minced lamb instead of beef.
  • The key difference between cottage pie and shepherd's pie is the type of meat used.

Synonyms

• Mince and potato pie: A descriptive synonym, though less common.
• Beef pie (with mashed potato topping): A more general descriptive term.

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning is a specific, baked meat and potato dish. It is not used to refer to other types of pies, such as fruit pies or pies with a pastry crust. The name originates from the term "cottage," associating it with simple, hearty food for rural households.

Noun

1. a dish of minced meat topped with mashed potatoes