Here’s a classic Shepherd’s Pie recipe — a hearty, comforting dish with savory meat and creamy mashed potatoes on top.
🥧 Shepherd’s Pie
Serves: 4–6
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40–45 min
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground lamb (or beef for cottage pie)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the topping:
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (about 3–4 medium potatoes)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the filling:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onion, carrots, and garlic until softened.
- Add ground lamb, cooking until browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add peas and cook another 2 minutes.
- Prepare the topping:
- Boil potatoes until tender.
- Mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Optional: mix in cheddar cheese for extra flavor.
- Assemble the pie:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread the meat mixture evenly in a baking dish.
- Top with mashed potatoes, spreading to cover completely.
- Optional: use a fork to create a pattern on top for crispiness.
- Bake:
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Serve:
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
🍴 Tips & Variations
- Vegetarian: Use lentils or mushrooms instead of meat.
- Extra flavor: Add a splash of red wine to the meat filling while simmering.
- Crispy topping: Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for a golden crust.
- Make ahead: Assemble without baking; store in fridge overnight and bake before serving.
I can also give a quick 30-minute Shepherd’s Pie version using pre-cooked meat and instant mashed potatoes if you want a faster option.
