Dinner · British

Cumberland Pie with Crispy Potato Top

Daniel Brooks

Recipe by Daniel Brooks

Grilling & hearty mains · July 5, 2026

This is proper comfort food: slow-braised beef in a rich, savory gravy topped with sliced potatoes and two cheeses baked until golden and crisp. It takes time in the oven, but almost all of it is hands-off, and the result is a make-ahead dinner that feeds a crowd.

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Cumberland Pie with Crispy Potato Top

Why you'll love this

  • Almost entirely hands-off oven time.
  • Melt-in-the-mouth braised beef under a crisp cheesy top.
  • Make it a day ahead or freeze for later.
  • Feeds a hungry table on a budget cut of beef.

EveryDayMeal recipe

Cumberland Pie with Crispy Potato Top

Prep
25m
Cook
210m
Total
235m
Serves
6
Level
Medium

Ingredients

  • 2 celery stalks
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 large carrots
  • 5 bay leaves
  • 3 thyme sprigs
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 beef stock cubes
  • 800g feather blade beef
  • 800g potatoes
  • 25g mature cheddar, grated
  • 25g parmesan, grated

Equipment

  • Large ovenproof casserole or Dutch oven
  • Baking dish
  • Saucepan
  • Box grater

Instructions

  1. Heat your oven to 160C (140C fan). In a large casserole, soften the celery, onion, carrots, bay leaves, and 1 thyme sprig in 1 tablespoon of the oil plus the butter for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables look glossy and smell sweet.
  2. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute to lose its raw taste, then add the tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, and crumbled stock cubes, stirring to coat everything in a dark paste.
  3. Gradually pour in 600ml hot water, stirring as you go so no lumps form, then add the beef and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and braise in the oven for 2 hours 30 minutes.
  4. Uncover and cook for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, until the beef pulls apart easily and the sauce has thickened into a proper gravy.
  5. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes whole until about three-quarters cooked, tender at the edges but still firm in the center so they hold their shape when sliced.
  6. Transfer the beef and sauce to a baking dish. Slice the potatoes into 1cm rounds and toss gently with the remaining oil, the leaves from the last thyme sprigs, and a good pinch of seasoning.
  7. Layer the potato slices over the beef, scattering the cheddar and parmesan between and over the layers so it melts through and crisps on top.
  8. Turn the oven up to 200C (180C fan) and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden and crisp and the sauce is bubbling at the edges. Serve with peas.

Tips from the kitchen

  • Slice the potatoes only after par-boiling; whole potatoes hold together better than pre-cut chunks.
  • Don't skip cooking the flour before adding liquid, it stops the gravy tasting pasty.
  • If the top browns before the sauce bubbles (when baked from cold), cover loosely with foil and give it longer.

Estimated nutrition per serving: 520 cal · 38g protein · 34g carbs · 24g fat

Make it your own

  • Swap feather blade for beef shin or chuck, both braise beautifully.
  • Use half sweet potato in the topping for a sweeter, softer crust.
  • Add a splash of red wine to the braise for extra depth.

Storing & make-ahead

Cover and chill the assembled pie for up to 1 day before baking, or freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from cold, adding time until the center is piping hot. Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3 days and reheat well in a hot oven.

Good to know

Can I make this ahead?
Yes. Assemble the pie completely, then chill up to a day or freeze up to 3 months. Bake from cold, allowing extra time until bubbling and hot through.
What cut of beef works best?
Feather blade is ideal, but any slow-cook cut like chuck or shin will become tender over the long braise.
Why par-boil the potatoes?
Getting them three-quarters done means they finish cooking and crisp on top without turning to mush or staying raw.
What should I serve with it?
Peas are traditional and cut through the richness. Any simple green vegetable works well.

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