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A traditional Shepherd’s Pie recipe is easy to make and the ultimate in comfort food!
Tender ground lamb (although you can use beef), carrots, celery, and peas are cooked in a savory gravy and baked under a fluffy mashed potato topping. It’s a complete meal and we love that it reheats and freezes well.
What is Shepherd’s Pie?
It’s the ultimate Irish recipe that’s heartwarming, hearty, and healthy! Although many versions use ground beef, a traditional Shepherd’s pie is made with ground lamb. (A shepherd’s pie with ground beef is actually called cottage pie!).
- This shepherd’s pie is the classic dish that celebrates all things Spring and is favorite friends and family dish!
- Switch out the lamb for ground beef or add leftover veggies to add color and texture to the pie.
- There are so many easy shortcuts for this dish. Use instant potatoes or instant gravy, or use a frozen veggie medley in place of fresh veggies!
Ingredients & Variations
GROUND MEAT: This is a traditional shepherd’s pie so we use ground lamb in the filling. If lamb isn’t available (or if you’d prefer) you can substitute another ground meat like beef. If using ground chicken or ground turkey you might like to add a bouillon cube for some extra flavor. Skip the meat entirely for a vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie.
VEGGIES: Savory onions, carrots, celery, and peas give just enough flavor and texture without taking away from the meat and potatoes. If time is short, feel free to mix in a bag of vegetable medley or use up those leftover mushrooms, or green beans
SAUCE: Make gravy using the beef broth, tomato paste, and herbs listed in the recipe below. For a shortcut version, use leftover gravy, packaged gravy mix or even a can of cream of mushroom soup or tomato soup. Change it up with a few splashes of Guinness beer to add a deep and rich flavor. You can use chicken broth but we find beef to have a richer flavor.
POTATOES: Creamy mashed potatoes made with butter, milk, and cheese are what give lamb shepherd’s pie its distinctive topping. Add your favorite spice blend or make Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes. In a pinch for time? Instant mashed potatoes will still produce excellent results!
How to Make Shepherd’s Pie
Making classic shepherd’s pie recipe is easy:
- Cook Potatoes: Cook potatoes per recipe directions below. Drain & mash with a potato masher.
- Make Filling: Cook ground lamb with onion & garlic. Add veggies.
- Make Sauce: Stir flour into the beef. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until thickened. Stir in frozen peas.
- Top & Bake: Top the meat mixture (in the skillet or a baking dish) with mashed potatoes. Bake until golden and bubbly.
Tips
- Swap out the fresh veggies for frozen mixed veggies to keep the prep fast!
- Prepared or packaged mashed potatoes work well in this recipe.
- Stir in an egg yolk to make the mashed potatoes extra rich in flavor.
- If using an oven proof pan, skip the casserole dish and layer the potatoes over the meat in the skillet!
- Make it pretty by piping the mashed potatoes with a piping bag.
- Let shepherd’s pie rest about 5 minutes before serving.
What to Serve with Shepherd’s Pie
Delish Main Dishes
Did your family love this Shepherd’s Pie? Be sure to leave a rating and comment below!
Shepherd’s Pie
Classic Shepherd’s Pie is always a hit. We love this traditional Irish dish loaded with lamb, veggies, and mashed potatoes!
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Preheat oven to 400°F.
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Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch chunks. Place in a large pot of cold salted water.
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Bring the potatoes to a gentle boil and cook 13-16 minutes or until fork tender.
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While potatoes are cooking, combine ground lamb, onion, garlic in a large skillet, brown until no pink remains.
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Add the carrots and celery. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until slightly tender.
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Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, parsley, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf.
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Simmer for 20 minutes or until the gravy has thickened. Remove bay leaf, taste and season with salt and pepper, and add peas.
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Drain the potatoes well and mash until smooth. Stir in the butter. Add warmed milk a little bit at a time until the potatoes are smooth and fluffy, you may not need all of the milk. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
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Top the meat mixture with the potatoes and place in the oven. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden
- Swap out the fresh veggies for frozen mixed veggies to keep the prep fast!
- Prepared or packaged mashed potatoes work well in this recipe.
- Stir in an egg yolk to make the mashed potatoes extra rich in flavor.
- If using an oven proof pan, skip the casserole dish and layer the potatoes over the meat in the skillet!
- Make it pretty by piping the mashed potatoes with a piping bag.
- Let shepherd’s pie rest about 5 minutes before serving.
Calories: 448, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 72mg, Sodium: 336mg, Potassium: 1206mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 3840IU, Vitamin C: 20mg, Calcium: 87mg, Iron: 3mg
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American, Irish
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