The first time I tried Shepherd’s Pie was in the Cheesecake Factory and I fell in love with the dish. I’m a meat and potatoes kind of gal and this is basically the best combination of saucy meat and creamy parmesan potatoes.
Shepherd’s Pie recipe is a savory pie like Chicken Pot Pie and it’s just as homey and comforting. It is a stunning and welcoming dish for the holiday table. Watch the video tutorial and learn how to make it.
What is a Shepherd’s Pie?
Shepherd’s Pie (also known as cottage pie) originated in England. It is a savory pie with ground red meat (usually either ground lamb or ground beef) in a vegetable gravy sauce, topped with a layer of mashed potatoes. The potatoes seal in the saucy gravy filling and develop a golden crust as the pie bakes in the oven.
Ingredients:
To fill:
- 1 pound ground lamb (or beef for sophistication)
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 2 carrots, cut into cubes
- 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup meat or vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme leaves
For mashed potatoes:
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
directions:
Preparing the filling:
In a frying pan, brown the minced lamb over medium heat until completely cooked. Drain excess fat.
Add chopped onions, carrots and chopped garlic. Saute until vegetables are tender.
Add the tomato paste to make sure it evenly covers the meat and vegetables.
Pour in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt, pepper and fresh thyme. Cook until the mixture thickens.
Add the peas and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Mashed potato filling:
Boil peeled and cubed potatoes until fork tender. sink.
Mash potatoes with butter, milk, salt and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Shepherd’s Pie Assembly:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Transfer the lamb and vegetable mixture to the baking dish, spreading it evenly.
Place the mashed potatoes on top, creating a smooth layer using a fork.
For an extra touch, use a fork to make little peaks on the mashed potatoes. This promotes a golden crust when baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden.
