I just make a pancake of mince, about 1/2" thick. I cook that until it's browned (I can see, but you could time it), then I chop it into four quarters, and flip them.

Yeah, I end up with four triangular slabs of what amounts to a giant burger; I then smash it up with a fork or the back of a spoon. Add the result to some fried onions; viola - cottage-pie filling.