Syn Free Cottage Pie | Slimming World
As the nights start to get colder and darker, having a Slimming World cottage pie recipe in your repertoire is definitely a good idea.
It’s hearty, it’s filling, and it’s the kind of thing that will quickly gain a regular place on your weekly meal plans. It’s also the type of meal that definitely doesn’t feel like ‘diet food’, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family.
Here’s what you need to know…
(By the way, be sure to also check out what to serve with cottage pie!)
For the full ingredients list and detailed instructions, see the recipe card at the end of this post. Make sure you check out this important information first though…
What’s the nutritional information for this cottage pie?
If you’re following Slimming World, then you’ll be pleased to know that this recipe is completely Syn free.
You’ll notice in the ingredients that the cheese is optional – though I’d recommend using it as it makes the meal even more delicious! – so if you do, make sure that you take it out of your Healthy Extra A allowance.
If calorie counting is more your thing, then count 487 calories, including the cheese.
Without the cheese, that’s 392 calories per serving.
Do bear in mind that the nutritional information might vary slightly depending on the exact products and brands that you use, so if you want to be really specific, it’s worth doing your own additional calculations!
Adding 1/3 speed food to your plate
As you’ll probably know by now, Slimming World recommends that 1/3 of your plate is made up of speed foods.
Vegetables are already included in this recipe, but adding an extra portion as an accompaniment is going to add some extra goodness and keep you fuller for even longer. Steamed carrots and broccoli are quick and easy options.
Can you really make a decent mash without lashings of butter?
Traditionally, making a cottage pie would involve adding a generous dollop of butter to your mash. That would cost you fairly heavily in terms of Syns and calories though, so the next best thing is making sure that you choose the right kind of potatoes.
Here, I’ve used Maris Piper. They’re available in pretty much every supermarket, and their light, fluffy texture makes them the perfect candidate for the job.
Individual serving dishes for your cottage pie
I like using these enamel pie dishes for serving Slimming World cottage pie.
They’re not essential, of course, and you can use any ovenproof dish that you might already have, but they’re cute and a little bit retro.
For presentation purposes, I also reckon that it’s cool to give everyone their own serving dish!
Looking for more Slimming World friendly minced beef recipes?
I love cooking with minced beef. It’s versatile, and it’s very slimming friendly if you pick up the 5% fat variety.
If you’re a lover of Indian food, why not try my Syn free keema curry?
And of course, you can’t go wrong with a Syn free chilli con carne!
Syn Free Cottage Pie
Ingredients
- 500 grams lean minced beef less than 5% fat
- 500 grams Maris Piper potatoes peeled and chopped into chunks
- 1 large onion peeled and chopped
- 2 carrots peeled and chopped
- 300 grams frozen peas
- 2 beef stock cubes made up with 500ml boiling water
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 120 grams reduced fat cheddar grated, optional
- Low calorie cooking spray
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 200 degrees.
- Heat a heavy based pan over a medium to high heat and spritz with low calorie cooking spray. Add the onion and fry for 5 minutes or until softened. Add the mince and fry for a further 5 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spatula.
- Add the carrot and peas, and fry for a further 5 minutes.
- Add the stock and the Worcestershire sauce, and stir well. Season to taste.
- Bring to the boil, and then gently simmer for around 15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and reached your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to make sure that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Meanwhile, boil your potatoes until they're soft (this will take around 10 minutes). Remove from the heat and mash.
- Spoon your mince mixture into a large, shallow, ovenproof dish, or divide between 4 individual serving ovenproof dishes. Allow to cool slightly, and then spoon your mashed potato over the top, using a fork to fluff it up and add texture.
- If using, sprinkle over your cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and piping hot.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Have you made this Slimming World cottage pie? Let me know!
Be sure to use the hashtag #slimmingviolet and tag me @slimmingviolet over on Instagram.
Oh, and just before you go…
Why not pin this recipe so you can come back to it later?
