Cottage pie is one of the most classic and tastiest comfort foods that is absolutely ideal for cool winter nights and feeding the whole family.

However, if you are looking for a way to spice up the old recipe, why not try this twist? Adding sweet potato to the mix definitely transforms the whole dish into something special. Serve up the delicious tasting beef mince filling, top it off with a mouth-watering sweet potato mash and you have a dish that everyone will love!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium brown onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, peeled, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, trimmed, finely chopped
• 500g beef mince
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 400g can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs
• 2/3 cup frozen peas
• 600g orange sweet potato, peeled, chopped
• 1/4 cup milk
• 20g butter
• 1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese

Method

1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery. Cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes until onion has softened. Add mince. Cook and stir for 5 minutes or until browned. Break up mince with a wooden spoon while cooking.
2. Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, tomato and herbs. Bring mixture to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Let simmer for 20 to 25 minutes to thicken mixture. Stir in peas. Preheat oven to 180C.
3. For mash, cook sweet potato in saucepan of boiling water for 8 minutes or until lightly tender. Drain and return to pan. Add milk and butter. Mash together until completely smooth. Spoon beef mixture into 5cm-deep, 6-cup capacity ovenproof dish. Spoon potato topping onto beef mixture. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden. Serve hot.