Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe for Ultimate Comfort Dining Recipe
Classic Shepherd’s Pie combines a hearty ground lamb or beef filling with savory vegetables and a creamy mashed potato topping, baked until golden brown for the ultimate comfort food experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Filling
- 1 lb ground lamb or beef (choose lamb for traditional flavor)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 2 medium carrots (diced small)
- 2 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 cup frozen peas (stirred in at the end)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef or lamb broth
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or dried herbs
Mashed Potato Topping
- 2 lbs Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 cup whole milk or cream (use warm)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and position a rack in the center to prepare for baking the assembled pie.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet, add finely chopped onions and diced carrots, then sauté for 5–7 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.
- Cook Meat: Increase the heat to medium-high, add the ground lamb or beef to the skillet and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring frequently until no pink remains and the meat is fully browned.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce, cooking for about 2 minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Simmer Filling: Pour in the beef or lamb broth, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and let it cook for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened. Then fold in the frozen peas evenly.
- Prepare Potatoes: Peel and dice potatoes, place them in salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook for about 15 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Mash Potatoes: Drain potatoes and return them to the pot. Add butter and warm whole milk or cream, then mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble Pie: Transfer the meat and vegetable filling into a baking dish. Dollop the mashed potatoes evenly over the filling. Optionally, sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese on top for a golden crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Notes
- For a more authentic Shepherd’s Pie, always use ground lamb; replace with beef if preferred.
- Use Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier texture or Russet potatoes for fluffier mash.
- The sharp cheddar cheese topping is optional but adds a nice crust and extra flavor.
- Let the cooked filling cool slightly before topping with mashed potatoes for easier assembly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain texture.
Keywords: Shepherd’s Pie, Classic Shepherd’s Pie, Comfort food, Ground lamb recipe, Mashed potato topping, British cuisine, Hearty dinner
