Quorn Cottage Pie (also called Quorn Shepherd's Pie) delivers all the rich flavour and golden mash topping of the classic British comfort food - just lighter, cheaper, meat-free and ready in 30 minutes.
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For a version that uses mixed beans instead of Quorn mince, try my Vegetarian Cottage Pie with Mixed Beans. For more Quorn mince recipes, check out my Easy Quorn Spaghetti Bolognese, Quorn Vegetarian Chilli or Quorn Lasagne.
Why use Quorn Mince in a Cottage Pie?
Swapping beef mince for Quorn still gives you that hearty, savoury texture whilst being :-
- Quick : Quorn cooks fast, straight from frozen.
- Budget-friendly : cheaper than beef mince.
- Texture : Quorn mimics meat so is a great substitute.
- Healthier : Quorn is lower in saturated fat than beef mince with just 0.3g per 100g.
- High-Protein : around 16g per 100g
- Freezer-Friendly : ideal for meal prep and batch cooking.
- Planet-Friendly : Quorn's carbon footprint is over 90% lower than beef.
A simple swap that's better for your health, wallet and the planet, without compromising on taste.
Exploring meat-free versions of classic dishes is a great way to reduce your meat and dairy as part of a sustainable diet. Other Vegetarian versions of traditional British classics you'll love are Sausage and Baked Bean Casserole, Easy Vegan Stew with dumplings or Vegan Toad in the Hole with Onion Gravy.
Jump to:
- Why use Quorn Mince in a Cottage Pie?
- What is Quorn Mince?
- Ingredients for Quorn Cottage Pie
- How to make Quorn Cottage Pie step by step
- Pro Tip
- The best mash toppings for Cottage Pie
- How to get the perfect mash topping
- How to stop your mash sinking
- Substitutions and Variations
- Sustainability Tip
- How to Serve Cottage Pie
- Storing, Freezing and Reheating
- Pro Tip
- FAQ's about Quorn Cottage Pie
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Reviews
What is Quorn Mince?
Quorn mince is a plant-based meat substitute. It's made from Mycoprotein and is high in protein, gluten-free, low in saturated fat so a good choice for cutting down on meat.
Note: Quorn mince contains free-range egg white, so is vegetarian and not vegan.
If you're after a vegan cottage pie, just substitite one of these vegan plant-based minces such as :
- THIS isn't Beef Plant-Based Mince, Meatless Farm Beef Mince, Linda McCartney Vegan Vegemince or Vivera Plant based Mince (UK).
- Impossible Beef, or Gardein Plant-Based Ground Beef (US).
Ingredients for Quorn Cottage Pie
This is an easy, family-friendly recipe made with simple everyday ingredients.
- Quorn Mince - is a great standby and can be cooked from frozen.
- Onion and carrot - the flavour base.
- Potatoes - for creamy mash, use starchy varieties such as Maris Piper, King Edward, Desiree, Russet or Yukon Gold. Avoid waxy potato varieties as they're harder to mash.
- Chopped Tomatoes - use a good quality brand for a rich sauce.
- Tomato Puree or Paste - deepens the flavour.
- Worcestershire Sauce - adds umami. Swap for a vegan version such as Henderson's Relish if needed.
- Vegetable Stock - use a low sodium version if needed.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Quorn Cottage Pie step by step
Step 1 -Prepare the mash.
Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. Peel and chop the potatoes into chunks. Boil for around 10 minutes until soft, drain, leave to steam then mash with a little butter or milk. Set aside.
Step 2 -Cook the base
Heat the oil in a large pan or casserole dish. Fry the onions and carrots for around 5 minutes until soft.
Step 3 - Add Quorn mince
Add the Quorn and cook for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4 - Add sauce ingredients
Pour in chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock, tomato puree and Worcestershire sauce. Season and simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 5 - Assemble and bake
Transfer to an ovenproof casserole dish if necessary. Spoon the mash on top, starting at the edges and working towards the middle. Smooth with a fork. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes until the top is golden and crisp.
Pro Tip
If you want extra browning, place under a hot grill for 1 -2 minutes at the end.
The best mash toppings for Cottage Pie
The mash topping makes the dish, slightly browned and a little crisp on top. Try mixing things up with these options, especially if you've got leftovers. Remember to use starchy potato varieties for the best mash.
- Classic potato mash - fluffy and traditional.
- Half potato, half sweet potato - adds colour and natural sweetness.
- Potato and swede mix - for an earthy, nutty flavour.
- Potato and celeriac mash - subtle sweetness; add a pinch of nutmeg.
- Potato and carrot mash - nice colour and some sweetness.
- Mustard mash - a teaspoon of wholegrain mustard gives a gentle kick.
- Cheesy mash - stir in grated cheddar for richness.
How to get the perfect mash topping
A firm mash holds its shape and sits on top of the filling.
Tips :
- Drain the potatoes well and let them steam-dry for a few minutes.
- Return to the pan briefly over a gentle heat for a few seconds to evaporate moisture.
- Add butter/milk gradually until smooth - not sloppy.
How to stop your mash sinking
Let the filling cool slightly before adding the mash. If it's piping hot, the steam will make the topping sink. Cool for 5 minutes before spreading the mash on top, starting at the edges and working inwards.
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it Vegan - use a vegan mince and swap Worcestshire sauce for Henderson's Relish.
- Switch up your potatoes - see mash options above.
- Add extra veg - leeks, celery, garden peas or mushrooms all work beautifully.
- Low carb - swede and celeriac are both good low carb alternatives to potato. Carrots are lower carb than potatoes (7-9g per 100g versus 17.5g for potatoes), but are not considered low enough for a low carb diet. If using swede or celeriac mash, make sure to drain them well as they have a high water content so the mash will be heavier.
Sustainability Tip
Try to buy your vegetables lose without any plastic packaging where possible and from a local source to reduce your food miles. Quorn has a much lower carbon footprint than mince as it uses 90% less land, water, and carbon emissions than animal proteins. As a comparison, 1kg of Quorn produces just 0.5kg of CO2 gases. 1kg of beef, produces 32kg of CO2 gases.
How to Serve Cottage Pie
This dish already packs in protein, vegetables, and carbs - but presentation matters. Serve with green veg (peas, beans or broccoli) or a side of sweetcorn. And yes, a dollop of ketchup or brown sauce on the side!
Storing, Freezing and Reheating
- Fridge : store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer : freeze for up to 1 month, even if your Quorn was originally frozen.
- Reheat : defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat until piping hot. Only reheat it once.
Pro Tip
Divide leftovers into portions before freezing for easy midweek dinners.
FAQ's about Quorn Cottage Pie
Yes! Quorn mince can be cooked straight from frozen making it a handy standby.
If your filling is too watery, this may be because your canned tomatoes had a high water content or you've used too much stock. To fix this, add more vegetables or dissolve some gravy granules in boiling water to make a thick gravy and stir through your sauce.
📖 Recipe
Vegetarian Quorn Cottage Pie
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Ingredients
- 1 kg potatoes or mix potato and sweet potato, organic
- 10 g butter organic (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil organic, fairtrade
- 1 onions organic, peeled and finely chopped
- 150 g carrots organic, diced into 1cm pieces
- 300 g Quorn Mince
- 400 g chopped tomatoes organic, tinned
- 200 ml vegetable stock organic
- 2 tablespoon tomato puree organic
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce organic
- 1 dash salt
- 1 dash freshly ground black pepper fairtrade
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. Peel and chop the potatoes into chunks. Boil for around 10 minutes until soft, drain, leave to steam then mash with a little butter or milk. Set aside.1 kg potatoes, 10 g butter
- Heat the oil in a large pan or casserole dish. Fry the onions and carrots for around 5 minutes until soft.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 onions, 150 g carrots
- Add the Quorn and cook for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.300 g Quorn Mince
- Pour in chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock, tomato puree and Worcestershire sauce. Season and simmer for 5 minutes.400 g chopped tomatoes, 200 ml vegetable stock, 2 tablespoon tomato puree, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 dash salt, 1 dash freshly ground black pepper
- Transfer to an ovenproof casserole dish if necessary. Spoon the mash on top, starting at the edges and working towards the middle. Smooth with a fork. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes until the top is golden and crisp.
Notes
Notes
- Quorn Mince - is a great standby and can be cooked from frozen.
- Onion and carrot - the flavour base.
- Potatoes - for creamy mash, use starchy varieties such as Maris Piper, King Edward, Desiree, Russet or Yukon Gold. Avoid waxy potato varieties as they're harder to mash.
- Chopped Tomatoes - use a good quality brand for a rich sauce.
- Tomato Puree or Paste - deepens the flavour.
- Worcestershire Sauce - adds umami. Swap for a vegan version such as Henderson's Relish if needed.
- Vegetable Stock - use a low sodium version if needed.
Substitutions & Variations
- Make it Vegan - use a vegan mince and swap Worcestshire sauce for Henderson's Relish.
- Switch up your potatoes - see mash options above.
- Add extra veg - leeks, celery, garden peas or mushrooms all work beautifully.
- Low carb - swede and celeriac are both good low carb alternatives to potato. Carrots are lower carb than potatoes (7-9g per 100g versus 17.5g for potatoes), but are not considered low enough for a low carb diet. If using swede or celeriac mash, make sure to drain them well as they have a high water content so the mash will be heavier.
Storage
- Fridge : store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer : freeze for up to 1 month, even if your Quorn was originally frozen.
- Reheat : defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat until piping hot. Only reheat it once.
Nutrition per serving
The Nutritional Values are computer generated estimates based on industry standards and are provided as a helpful guide only.
Toni
I love that it is gluten free and low in fat! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Sisley White - Sew White
So easy and so delicious too. My guests didn't realise it was Quorn!
Kim
I've never heard of Quorn and I'm not sure I could find it near me, but that shepherd's pie looks so good! I think I may make it using regular ground beef.
REALMEALDEAL
Quorn is a brand name for a plant based meat substitute for beef. It's low in fat and high in protein. It's a good swap if you are looking to reduce your meat consumption or want a healthier version of a traditional Shepherd's Pie. You can of course cook this recipe using regular ground beef and it will still taste good.
Stephanie
This turned out so well! Mine wasn't as pretty as yours but still very delicious!
Jovita
Tasty pie! I tried this recipe and my family loved it. It was so easy and the flavor was fantastic.