Ah, Shepherd’s Pie — classic comfort food with a savory filling and creamy mashed potato topping! 🥧 Here’s a delicious and easy recipe you can make at home:
Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
Filling
- 1 lb (450 g) ground lamb (or beef for “Cottage Pie”)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Mashed Potato Topping
- 4–5 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 cup milk (or cream for richer texture)
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Mashed Potatoes
- Boil potatoes in salted water until tender (about 15–20 minutes).
- Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2. Cook the Filling
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until soft (5–7 minutes).
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add ground lamb or beef, cook until browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in broth, simmer 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in frozen peas and cook 2 more minutes.
3. Assemble the Shepherd’s Pie
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread meat and vegetable filling in a baking dish.
- Top evenly with mashed potatoes. Use a fork to create ridges for crisping.
4. Bake
- Bake 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crispy.
- Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes for extra browning.
5. Serve
- Let it rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm!
Tips & Variations
- Cheesy topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar on top before baking.
- Vegetarian version: Use lentils or a mix of mushrooms and vegetables instead of meat.
- Make ahead: Assemble in advance and refrigerate; bake when ready to serve.
- Herb boost: Add rosemary or parsley for extra flavor.
Shepherd’s Pie is perfect for comfort meals, family dinners, or batch cooking, and it stores well for leftovers.
If you want, I can also give a quick 30-minute Shepherd’s Pie recipe that’s weeknight-friendly and still full of flavor.
Do you want me to do that?
