Description
This classic British Shepherd’s Pie features a savory ground lamb or beef filling enriched with vegetables and herbs, topped with creamy mashed potatoes baked to a golden finish. Perfect for a comforting main course, it combines tender meat, flavorful veggies, and a smooth potato crust for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground lamb or beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup beef broth
Mashed Potato Topping
- 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the assembled pie.
- Cook Potatoes: Place peeled and chopped potatoes in a pot of salted water. Boil for 15–20 minutes or until they are fork-tender. Drain well.
- Mash Potatoes: Mash the drained potatoes with butter and milk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
- Sauté Aromatics: While potatoes cook, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook Meat: Add ground lamb or beef to the skillet. Brown it thoroughly, breaking the meat up as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the meat.
- Add Vegetables and Broth: Stir in frozen peas and carrots, then pour in beef broth. Simmer the mixture for 5–7 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Assemble Pie: Spread the meat filling evenly in a baking dish. Generously top with mashed potatoes, spreading to cover edges completely, and use a fork to create ridges on the surface.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the mashed potato topping is lightly golden and the filling is bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the pie rest for 5 minutes to set before serving. This enhances flavor and makes serving easier.
Notes
- For a richer mashed potato topping, stir in sour cream or shredded cheese before spreading it over the filling.
- Using ground beef instead of lamb turns this dish into a classic “cottage pie” variant.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
- Ensure Worcestershire sauce and beef broth are gluten-free if you need this recipe to be gluten-friendly.
