Recipe
Cowboy Pie
A hearty family pie of sausages, smoky beans and peppers beneath a golden cheddar mash topping — a practical, budget-friendly supper made in one dish.
Ingredients
Method
15 mins prep50 mins cook65 mins total
Heat the oven to 180°C fan. Put the potatoes into a large saucepan, cover with salted water and bring to the boil.
While the potatoes cook, heat the oil in a large ovenproof frying pan or sauté pan. Brown the sausages for 8–10 minutes, turning regularly, then remove them to a board and cut each into three pieces.
Add the onion and peppers to the same pan and cook for 7–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly coloured.
Return the sausage pieces to the pan and stir in the baked beans, chopped tomatoes, barbecue sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Season with the salt and pepper, then simmer for 8 minutes so the filling thickens slightly.
Drain the potatoes when tender and leave them to steam-dry for a minute. Mash with the butter, warmed milk and half of the grated Cheddar until smooth, then taste and adjust the seasoning.
Spoon the sausage and bean filling into a suitable ovenproof dish if needed. Spread the mash over the top, roughen the surface with a fork and scatter over the remaining Cheddar.
Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbling at the edges and golden on top. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use vegetarian sausages and check the barbecue and Worcestershire sauces if you want a vegetarian version.
The assembled pie can be chilled for up to 24 hours before baking; allow it to lose some of its chill before it goes into the oven and add extra baking time if needed.
Serve with a simple green vegetable or steamed peas.
About this recipe
Cowboy Pie is the sort of generous, old-school supper that earns its place in a family rotation. Sausages are browned with onion and peppers, then simmered with baked beans, tomatoes and a smoky barbecue note before the whole filling is tucked under a layer of buttery mashed potato.
The topping turns golden and crisp while the filling stays rich and comforting underneath. It is straightforward enough for a weeknight, substantial enough for a hungry table, and easy to assemble ahead when you want dinner ready to finish in the oven.
