Traditional Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Traditional Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

A hearty, comforting classic featuring seasoned ground lamb topped with creamy mashed potatoes.

KEY INFO

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Servings: 6-8
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Tags: British, Comfort Food, Winter Dish

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Large pot for potatoes
• Potato masher
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Measuring cups and spoons

Alternative: Use a slow cooker for meat mixture if preferred.

INGREDIENTS

For the Meat Filling:

• 2 pounds ground lamb (or beef for cottage pie)
• 1 large onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp each dried thyme and rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Potato Topping:

• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 8 tbsp (1 stick) butter
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender (about 25 minutes).
3. Meanwhile, brown lamb in a large skillet over medium-high heat (8-10 minutes).
4. Add onions and carrots to meat, cook until softened (5 minutes).
5. Stir in flour, tomato paste, herbs, and garlic (1 minute).
6. Add broth and Worcestershire sauce, simmer until thickened (10 minutes).
7. Mash potatoes with butter, cream, garlic powder, and parmesan.
8. Layer meat mixture in baking dish, top with mashed potatoes.
9. Create peaks in potatoes with a fork for crispy bits.
10. Bake until golden brown (25-30 minutes).

CRUCIAL TIPS

• Don’t overwork the potatoes or they’ll become gluey.
• Meat sauce should be thick, not runny.
• Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
• Visual cue: Top should be golden brown with crispy peaks.

STORAGE & VARIATIONS

Storage:

• Refrigerate up to 3 days.
• Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat at 350°F until hot throughout.

Common Mistakes:

• Watery meat filling.
• Gummy potatoes.
• Under-seasoning.

Variations:

• Add Guinness to meat mixture.
• Use sweet potatoes for topping.
• Include different vegetables like mushrooms or corn.

Remember: Real shepherd’s pie uses lamb – with beef it becomes cottage pie!