Beef and Onion Gravy Cobbler with Herb Scones
A rich beef and onion gravy stew topped with golden cheddar and herb scones instead of pastry.
Made with Onion gravy. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time2 hr 30
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £3.33 a head
- Oven160°C (140°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan). Season the beef. Heat the oil in a casserole over a high heat and brown the beef in two batches, 5 minutes each.
10 min - 2
Add the carrots, parsnip, stock and 400 ml of your ready made onion gravy (see the base recipe). Bring to a simmer, cover and cook in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, until the beef is tender.
90 min - 3
Meanwhile, rub the butter into the self-raising flour with a pinch of salt until it looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the cheddar and herbs.
- 4
Add the milk and mix to a soft dough. Pat to 2 cm thick and cut into rounds with a 6 cm cutter.
- 5
Turn the oven up to 200°C (180°C fan). Arrange the scones on top of the hot stew, brush with milk and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until risen and golden.
20 min - 6
Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Keep the butter cold for tall, light scones.
- Do not overwork the dough, or the scones turn tough.
- Make sure the stew is hot when you add the scones, so the bottoms cook through.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Freeze the stew without the scones for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I make the stew ahead?
Yes. Make the stew a day ahead and chill. Reheat until hot, then add freshly made scones and bake.
Can I use a different topping?
Yes. Dumplings or mashed potato both work. Dumplings need about 25 minutes covered in the oven.
More made with onion gravy
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.