Shepherd’s Pie is a timeless comfort food that warms both heart and home. This hearty dish layers savory ground lamb, tender vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes into a deliciously satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Shepherd’s Pie
Comfort Food Classic
Shepherd’s Pie is the epitome of comfort food. Its rich flavors and hearty ingredients make it a beloved choice for family dinners and cozy nights in.
Versatile and Adaptable
Whether you prefer traditional ground lamb or lean ground beef, this pie adapts to your taste. It’s also easy to customize with your favorite vegetables.
Make-Ahead Friendly
Prepare Shepherd’s Pie in advance and store leftovers for quick and easy meals. It also freezes well, making it a great option for busy weeks.
Ingredients
Meat Filling
- Ground Lamb or Beef: 1½ pounds of high-quality ground lamb or lean ground beef.
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon for sautéing.
- Onion: 1 large, finely chopped.
- Carrots: 2, peeled and diced.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 tablespoons for thickening.
- Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons for depth of flavor.
- Beef Broth: 1 cup, preferably low-sodium.
- Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon to enhance umami.
- Fresh Rosemary and Thyme: 2 teaspoons rosemary and 1 teaspoon thyme, finely chopped.
- Frozen Peas and Corn: 1 cup peas and ½ cup corn kernels for sweetness and color.
Mashed Potato Topping
- Russet Potatoes: 2 pounds, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces for fluffiness.
- Milk: ¼ cup, warmed.
- Unsalted Butter: ¼ cup, cubed for richness.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
- Grated Parmesan or Cheddar Cheese: ¼ cup, optional for a golden top.
Instructions
Preparing the Meat Filling
- Sauté the Vegetables:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add finely chopped onion and diced carrots.
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Cook until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
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Brown the Meat:
- Add minced garlic and ground lamb or beef to the skillet.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
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Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, approximately 8 minutes.
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Thicken the Mixture:
- Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the browned meat and vegetables.
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Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook the flour slightly.
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Add Flavorings:
- Mix in tomato paste, ensuring it coats the meat evenly.
- Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
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Add freshly chopped rosemary and thyme.
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Simmer to Develop Flavor:
- Bring the mixture to a simmer.
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Reduce heat to low and let it cook for 30-40 minutes until the sauce thickens.
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Incorporate Peas and Corn:
- Stir in frozen peas and corn kernels.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Making the Mashed Potatoes
- Cook the Potatoes:
- Place peeled potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water.
- Add a generous pinch of salt.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
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Mash for Creaminess:
- Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot.
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Mash until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps.
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Add Milk and Butter:
- Gradually incorporate warm milk and cubed butter into the mashed potatoes.
- Mix until creamy and smooth.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Assembling and Baking
- Preheat the Oven:
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Set your oven to 400°F (205°C) to prepare for baking.
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Layer the Meat Filling:
- Transfer the thickened meat mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
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Spread evenly.
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Top with Mashed Potatoes:
- Spoon the mashed potatoes over the meat mixture.
- Use a spatula to smooth out the top.
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Sprinkle grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese if desired.
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Bake Until Golden:
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven.
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Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the potato topping is lightly browned.
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Cool and Serve:
- Allow the Shepherd’s Pie to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy this hearty meal with family and friends.
Tips for the Best Shepherd’s Pie
- Choose the Right Meat: Ground lamb offers authentic flavors, but lean ground beef is a great alternative that keeps the dish budget-friendly.
- Perfect Potatoes: Russet potatoes yield a fluffy texture, while Yukon Gold provide a buttery richness. Choose based on your preference.
- Enhance the Flavor: Adding a splash of red wine during the cooking process can deepen the flavor profile. Let it reduce before adding the broth.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add mushrooms, celery, or leeks for extra texture and taste.
- Crispy Topping: For a golden finish, broil the pie for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
- Smooth Layers: Let the meat filling cool slightly before adding the mashed potatoes to prevent the layers from mixing.
How to Store Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is excellent for meal prep and leftovers. Here’s how to store it properly:
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
- Freeze: Allow the pie to cool completely. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat from Frozen: Unwrap and cover with fresh foil. Bake at 320°F (160°C) for 60-80 minutes, or until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a side of crusty bread or dinner rolls to soak up the flavorful gravy.
- Green Salad: A fresh green salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich and hearty pie.
- Pickled Vegetables: Adding pickled vegetables can introduce a tangy element that balances the richness of the dish.
Variations to Try
- Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie: Replace ground meat with lentils or a mix of hearty vegetables for a vegetarian version.
- Spicy Shepherd’s Pie: Incorporate chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to add some heat.
- Cheese Lover’s Pie: Mix in different types of cheese into the mashed potatoes or sprinkle extra cheese on top before baking.
Nutritional Information
While rich and hearty, Shepherd’s Pie can be a balanced meal. Here’s a basic nutritional overview per serving (based on 6 servings):
- Calories: Approximately 700 kcal
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fat: 35g
- Fiber: 7g
Note: Nutritional values may vary based on specific ingredients and portions.
Shepherd’s Pie is more than just a meal; it’s a comforting tradition that brings warmth and satisfaction to any table. With its savory meat filling and creamy mashed potato topping, it’s a versatile dish that can be tailored to your taste. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or preparing meals for the week, this Shepherd’s Pie recipe is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.
Shepherd’s Pie
The key to a great shepherd’s pie is quality ground lamb. There should be plenty of aromatics, tender veggies, and fluffy mashed potatoes on top.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb (or lean ground beef)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or mature cheddar, optional
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Make the meat filling. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrots. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, ground lamb, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon. Continue cooking until browned, about 8 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the top. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until combined. Add the tomato paste and stir well. Cook for 1 minute. Then, add the beef broth, Worcestershire, rosemary, and thyme.
- Bring to a simmer. Then reduce the heat to low and cook. Stir often for 30-40 minutes or until the sauce is thick. Stir in the peas and corn. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
- Make the mashed potatoes. While the meat cooks, place the potatoes in a large pot. Cover them with cold water. Add a large pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
- Return the potatoes to the pot. Mash until lump-free. Add the milk and butter. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat the oven. Set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205°C).
- Transfer the meat mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top. If using, sprinkle over the cheese.
- Bake until the filling is bubbling. The potatoes should be lightly browned. This will take about 25 minutes.
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Then, serve. Enjoy!
