This cottage pie is made with lean mince and extra vegetables to give it a healthy overhaul.

Serves:

4

Preparation time:

15 minutes

Cooking time:

30 minutes

Approximate cost for recipe:

£4.20

Approximate cost per serving:

£1.05

• 1kg potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 350g extra lean minced beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 courgette, finely chopped
• 100g green beans, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs
• 50g sweetcorn, thawed if frozen
• 4 teaspoons gravy granules for beef
• Ground black pepper

1. Cook the potatoes in a large saucepan of boiling water until tender, about 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large saucepan and add the minced beef, a handful at a time, cooking it until browned.
3. Stir in the onion, carrot, courgette, green beans and mixed herbs. Add 450ml (3/4 pint) water and bring up to the boil. Simmer without a lid for 20 minutes.
4. Preheat the grill and warm a large baking dish under it for 1-2 minutes.
5. Drain and mash the potatoes, seasoning them with some pepper.
6. Add the sweetcorn to the mince mixture, then sprinkle in the gravy granules, stirring until thickened. Season if needed, then tip into the baking dish. Spoon the mash on top, spreading it out to cover the mince, then grill until browned. Serve immediately.

Tip 1: Make a vegetarian version with Quorn mince and use vegetable gravy granules instead of ones for beef.

Tip 2: If your kids don't like pieces of courgette, try grating it instead, so that it will go unnoticed.