Here’s a hearty, comforting recipe for Shepherd’s Pie — a traditional dish made with ground lamb (or beef, if you’re making Cottage Pie), simmered with vegetables in a savory gravy, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Perfect for a cozy dinner or make-ahead meal.
🥘 Classic Shepherd’s Pie
🍽 Servings: 6
⏱ Total Time: ~1 hour
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Prep: 20 minutes
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Cook: 40 minutes
🛒 Ingredients:
For the Meat Filling:
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1 lb ground lamb (or beef for Cottage Pie)
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1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)
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1 medium onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 medium carrots, diced
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1 cup frozen peas
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2 tbsp tomato paste
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
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1 tsp rosemary (optional)
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1 cup beef broth
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1 tbsp flour (optional, to thicken)
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
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2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
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4 tbsp butter
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1/2 cup milk or cream
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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Optional: 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (for a golden crust)
👨🍳 Instructions:
1. Make the mashed potatoes:
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Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (10–15 min).
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Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2. Cook the meat filling:
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In a large skillet, cook ground lamb over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
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Add onion, garlic, and carrots. Cook until softened, ~5 minutes.
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Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
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Sprinkle in flour and stir (optional for thicker gravy).
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Add broth and peas. Simmer for 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Assemble the pie:
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Transfer meat mixture to a baking dish (8×8 or 9×9 works well).
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Spread mashed potatoes over the top evenly.
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Optional: Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
4. Bake:
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Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbling and lightly golden.
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For extra browning, broil the top for 2–3 minutes at the end.
5. Serve warm, with a green salad, crusty bread, or steamed veggies.
✅ Tips & Variations:
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Make it vegetarian with lentils, mushrooms, and veggie broth.
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Add corn or green beans to the veggie mix.
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Use sweet potatoes for a twist on the topping.
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Freezer-friendly: Assemble, cool, wrap, and freeze before baking.
Would you like a low-carb (cauliflower mash) version, or a skillet-style version with less cleanup?
