Easy Beef Cobbler {Mince Topped With Savoury Scones}

I love this easy beef cobbler - it’s just something different to make with mince. It’s a bit like a beef stew with dumplings, or a cottage pie topped with herby savoury scones, or cobbles. You can add all sorts of veggies to the mince, which can be made ahead and then baked with the cobbles.

Easy Beef Cobbler.jpg

Simmering the mince for a while on the hob, in a slow cooker or in the oven makes all the difference in a dish like this. I try to cook it for an hour or two, usually the day before. I just serve beef cobbler with some steamed veggies - whatever the kids want - like broccoli. It’s a brilliant budget meal. I blitz my onion, carrot & celery in a food processor to save time.


Easy Beef Cobbler

  • Prep Time:  20 minutes

  • Cooking Time: 60 minutes (minimum)

  • Cost:  £1.12 per serving

  • Calories:  511 per serving

Ingredients:

For the mince beef:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil for frying

  • 1 large onion, finely diced

  • 2 carrots, finely diced

  • 2 celery sticks, finely diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed

  • 500g lean mince beef

  • 400ml beef stock

  • 2 tbsp Worcester sauce

  • 1 tsp each of thyme & rosemary

  • 200g frozen peas (optional)

  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the cobbles:

  • 250g self-raising flour

  • 125g natural yoghurt

  • 1 tsp dried thyme

  • Pinch of salt

  • Splash of cold water

Method:

  1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion until soft. Add the carrots, celery and garlic and cook for a few more minutes until soft.

  2. Add the mince and brown all over, stirring lots to break it up. Add the stock, Worcester sauce and peas if using and season to taste. Stir well.

  3. Bring to the boil and leave to simmer partially covered for 30-60 minutes. Alternatively, cook on a low heat in the oven in a slow cooker for an hour or two. You can make the mince a day in advance if you wish.

  4. To make the cobbles, mix the flour, thyme, salt and yogurt in a bowl with enough cold water to make a scone-like dough. Roll into a fat sausage, and slice into 12 slices 1cm thick.

  5. Pour the mince into a large rectangular ovenproof dish and top with the cobbles. Bake for 30 minutes until cobbles are risen and golden and the mince is bubbling.