Ah, Shepherd’s Pie—a hearty, comforting dish of seasoned meat topped with creamy mashed potatoes! 🥔🍖 Traditionally, “shepherd’s pie” uses lamb, but you can also use beef (which is technically “cottage pie”). Here’s a classic recipe:
Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
For the filling:
- 1 lb (450g) ground lamb (or beef)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary
For the mashed potato topping:
- 2 lbs (900g) potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup milk (or cream)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the potatoes:
- Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15–20 minutes.
- Drain, mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Make the filling:
- In a skillet, cook the ground lamb over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add onions, garlic, and carrots. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, broth, thyme/rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Add peas and cook 2–3 more minutes. The mixture should be thick but saucy.
- Assemble the pie:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread the meat and vegetable mixture in a baking dish.
- Spoon mashed potatoes over the top, smoothing with a spatula. For a golden finish, lightly brush the top with butter.
- Bake:
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the filling is bubbling.
- Serve:
- Let cool 5 minutes before serving. Delicious on its own or with a simple side salad!
💡 Tips:
- For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top of the mashed potatoes before baking.
- Leftover shepherd’s pie can be refrigerated for 2–3 days or frozen for longer storage.
If you want, I can also give a “quick and easy Shepherd’s Pie” version that uses frozen veggies and instant mashed potatoes but still tastes amazing.
Do you want me to share that shortcut version?
