Here’s a classic Shepherd’s Pie recipe — hearty, comforting, and full of flavor. This traditional version uses ground lamb (as opposed to cottage pie, which uses beef).
Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
️ Serves: 6
⏱️ Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients
For the meat filling:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb (450g) ground lamb
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped (or ½ tsp dried)
1 cup (240ml) beef broth or stock
½ cup frozen peas
Salt and black pepper to taste
For the mashed potato topping:
2 lbs (900g) potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 tbsp butter
½ cup milk (more if needed)
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Make the mashed potatoes:
Place the potatoes in a large pot of salted water.
Bring to a boil and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until tender.
Drain, then mash with butter and milk until smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in cheese if using. Set aside.
2. Prepare the meat filling:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add onion and carrots; sauté 5–7 minutes until softened.
Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add ground lamb, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes.
Drain any excess fat.
Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Mix well.
Pour in beef broth, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
Stir in peas. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Assemble the pie:
Spoon the meat mixture into a baking dish (about 2-quart/8×8″).
Spread the mashed potatoes on top, smoothing with a spatula. You can rough up the top with a fork for a nice texture.
(Optional) Sprinkle extra cheese on top.
4. Bake:
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling. You can broil for 2–3 minutes for a crispier top.
5. Serve:
Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy with a side salad or steamed green beans.
