Shepherd’s pie recipe

Cozy and satisfying, shepherd’s pie is the perfect winter weekend dish. Although it takes some time to prepare the filling and topping, it is a simple yet impressive meal that serves a large crowd.

Shepherd’s pie originates from Great Britain and is traditionally made with minced lamb. Ground beef is a common substitute, as lamb is difficult to find and is a bit sharper and gameier than beef.

Learn how to make shepherd’s pie. It’s almost a complete meal on its own, but you can add some roasted green beans or broccoli to complete the plate.

What is Shepherd’s Pie?

Shepherd’s pie is made with minced lamb and vegetables in a rich sauce, topped with mashed potatoes and fried until golden brown. When this dish is made with ground beef, it is called cottage pie. Beef or lamb works well in the recipe, so you can use whatever you like.

Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients

For the filling you will need:

Olive oil: For cooking the onion and garlic.
Yellow onion And garlic: Provides a base of flavor for cooking the meat.
Ground beef or lamb: Traditionally, shepherd’s pie is made with minced lamb. If the dish is made with ground beef, it is called cottage pie. Both work well in this recipe, so you can use whichever you prefer.
Kosher salt And black pepper: To flavor the meat filling.
Tomato puree And Worcestershire sauce: Add extra savory depth to the filling.
All purpose flour: To thicken the sauce.
Beef broth: The base of the sauce.
Frozen peas and carrots And frozen corn kernels: We love the mix of frozen peas and carrots and frozen corn kernels, but to make things even easier, you can use frozen mixed vegetables.

For the mashed potato topping you will need:

Russet potatoes: The main mashed potato ingredient.
Kosher salt: For seasoning the potatoes.
Half and half And salted butter:
Egg yolk: Ensures that the topping browns nicely in the oven.
Chopped fresh chives or parsley: To garnish the last dish.

Caitlin Bensel; Food stylist: Torie Cox

How to Make Shepherd’s Pie

You need to prepare a few elements of the dish before the entire shepherd’s pie can be assembled and baked. That’s why this dinner is so great on the weekend.

Step 1: Cook onions and garlic until they start to soften. Add the meat and fry until brown and crumbly.
Step 2: Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce and stir until everything is coated. Sprinkle with flour, cook 1 minute, then add the beef stock and cook until the liquid has reduced and the mixture has thickened.
Step 3: Stir in the frozen vegetables and transfer the filling mixture to the oven dish.
Step 4: Prepare the mashed potato topping. Boil the potatoes and mash them with half and half, egg yolk and melted butter.
Step 5: Divide the mashed potatoes over the meat filling.
Step 6: Bake until golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Sprinkle with chopped chives or parsley before serving.

Our tips for the best shepherd’s pie

If your skillet is large enough and oven safe, you can fry in the skillet you use to make the meat mixture. After you’re done cooking, spread the potato topping over the filling.
To make this recipe even easier, you can use leftover mashed potatoes. You will need 5 cups. Heat the mashed potatoes to make it easier to use them to top the casserole.

What to eat at Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is meant to be almost a complete meal in one serving. After all, the classic recipe contains meat, vegetables and a starchy topping. But if you feel like you need something else on the plate, serve it roasted broccoli, green beans from the slow cookeror ginger carrots.