We're turning the classic cottage pie on its head - literally! Start with the creamy mashed potato topping and use it as the base for a rich bolognese sauce. The potato soaks up the delicious juices and blistered cherry tomatoes cap it all off beautifully. There are plenty of upsides to this upside-down dinner!
The quantities provided above are averages only.
Always read product labels for the most up-to-date allergen information. Visit hellofresh.co.nz/foodinfo for allergen and ingredient information. If you have received a substitute ingredient, please be aware allergens may have changed
1 bunch
thyme
1 punnet
cherry tomatoes
6 unit
potatoes
1 unit
onion
4 clove
garlic
1 unit
carrot
1 bag
baby spinach leaves
1 packet
beef mince
1 sachet
Italian Herbs
¾ tin
tomato paste
1.5 tin
Crushed & Sieved Tomatoes
2 cube
beef-style stock powder
1 bunch
basil
2 packet
Grated Parmesan Cheese
(Contains: Milk; )
olive oil
1 tbs
balsamic vinegar
80 g
butter
(Contains: Milk; )
⅓ cup
milk
(Contains: Milk; )
½ tsp
salt
2 tsp
brown sugar
Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced. Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to the boil. Pick the thyme leaves. Place the thyme, cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, a drizzle of olive oil and a good pinch of salt and pepper on an oven tray lined with baking paper. Toss to coat, then roast until fragrant and lightly charred, 20-25 minutes.
While the tomatoes are roasting, peel the potato and cut into 2cm chunks. Finely chop the brown onion. Finely chop the garlic (or use a garlic press). Grate the carrot (unpeeled), or finely chop if you prefer.
Add the potato to the saucepan of boiling water and cook until easily pierced with a knife, 10-15 minutes. Drain and return to the saucepan. Add 60g butter, the milk and the salt and mash with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Cover with a lid to keep warm.
In a large frying pan, heat a good drizzle of olive oil over a medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, 3-4 minutes. Increase the heat to high, add the beef mince and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned, 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and Italian herbs and cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
Add the carrot to the frying pan and cook, stirring, until softened, 4 minutes. Add 3/4 tin tomato paste and stir to coat. Add 1 1/2 tin crushed & sieved tomatoes and crumble in the beef stock cubes. Stir until well combined. Reduce the heat to medium and add the brown sugar and remaining 20g butter. Simmer until thickened slightly, 4-5 minutes. Add the baby spinach leaves and stir through until wilted, 1-2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. While the sauce is simmering, pick and thinly slice the basil leaves. TIP: Seasoning is key in this dish! Taste and add more salt or pepper if you like.
Divide the mashed potato between bowls. Spoon over the bolognese sauce. Top with the thyme-roasted cherry tomatoes and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish the adults' portions with basil.