Pork & Apple Cottage Pie

The last time I posted a recipe for shepherd’s pie, someone from England commented and said it wasn’t a shepherd’s pie.

Instead, what I had posted, was a “cottage pie”.

So I researched both of the recipes to see if there truly is a difference.

It’s really just semantics. I found out both terms are relatively interchangeable. In parts of England, though, shepherd’s pie is reserved for recipes made with lamb. Cottage pie is the definition used when the recipe is made with minced beef or any other type of protein other than lamb.

I decided to call this recipe a “cottage pie” as a nod to that lad who commented.

This recipe has got that extra stick-to-your-ribs type vibe. It’s insanely hearty, and perfect for these cold winter months. It’s savory, slightly sweet, and the gravy is absolute perfection.

If you’re weirded out by mixing fruit with your meat, don’t be! Pork and apples were meant to be together. They compliment each other like peanut butter and jelly.

Enjoy!

Pork & Apple Cottage Pie

Servings: 6-8
Time: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
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A sweet and savory, hearty baked entree with pork, apples, bacon and mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

6 strips bacon, chopped

1 lb. boneless pork chops, cubed

2 medium sweet onions, thinly sliced

3/4 cup flour

2 tsp. cajun seasoning

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. seasoned salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

3 Granny Smith Apples, peeled and chopped

1 tsp. rubbed sage

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup water

3 TBS. Worcestershire sauce

1 TBS. apple cider vinegar

5 large Russet potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped

1/2 cup milk

4 TBS. butter

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for topping

Directions

In a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, cook bacon until crispy. Remove from pan.
Add sliced onions to pan and carmelize slightly, cooking on medium heat for about 20 minutes. Push onions to one side of the pan.
In a large bowl, mix together flour, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, seasoned salt and pepper. Add pork, a few pieces at a time, and dredge in flour.
Add more oil to the pan if necessary. Brown pork on all sides (working in batches). Stir onions in with pork.
Add apples to the pan along with the chicken broth, water, Worcestershire sauce, cooked bacon, apple cider vinegar, sage and nutmeg. Stir, cooking for about 3-4 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place skillet/Dutch oven, uncovered, in oven and bake for 1 hour or until pork is tender.
While pork mixture is baking, make the mashed potatoes: boil peeled and chopped potatoes until tender. Drain and add butter, salt, pepper and garlic powder to potatoes. Using hand mixer or masher, mash potatoes until smooth, adding milk a little bit at a time.
Heat oven to broiler once pork is done cooking. Remove skillet from oven and top with mashed potatoes. Sprinkle Parmesan on top. Broil for 7-8 minutes or until potatoes are slightly browned.

2 thoughts on “Pork & Apple Cottage Pie”

Gail says:

November 15, 2022 at 12:22 pm

Yummy mashed potatoes. I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving. 🙏🏻🍃

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