Shepherd’s Pie is a classic and comforting dish featuring a layer of savory minced meat (traditionally lamb, in which case it’s called Shepherd’s Pie, but often beef is used, making it Cottage Pie) cooked with vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes that is then baked until golden brown and bubbly. This image shows a version with multiple layers of meat and mashed potatoes.
Ingredients:
For the Meat Layer:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground lamb or beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef or lamb broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
- 3-4 pounds potatoes (such as Russet or Yukon Gold), peeled and quartered
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup milk or cream
- 4-6 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/2 cup grated cheese (cheddar, Gruyere, etc.)
Instructions:
- Prepare Potatoes: Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot of cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender when pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well and return to the pot.
- Make Mashed Potatoes: Mash the cooked potatoes with the milk or cream, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. If using cheese, stir it in until melted. Set aside.
- Brown the Meat: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground lamb or beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery to the skillet with the cooked meat. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add Garlic and Herbs: Stir in the minced garlic, dried rosemary, and dried thyme. Cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Make the Gravy: Sprinkle the flour over the meat and vegetables and stir well. Cook for 1 minute. Gradually stir in the beef or lamb broth and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Peas and Parsley (Optional): Stir in the frozen peas and chopped fresh parsley (if using).
- Assemble in Layers: In a baking dish (as shown in the image, a round or oval dish works well), create layers of the meat mixture and mashed potatoes. Start with a layer of the meat mixture, followed by a layer of mashed potatoes. Repeat these layers, ending with a final layer of mashed potatoes on top.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the Shepherd’s Pie for 25-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. For a more browned top, you can broil it for the last few minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Shepherd’s Pie stand for a few minutes before serving.
Tips and Notes:
- Meat Choice: Traditionally, Shepherd’s Pie is made with lamb, and Cottage Pie is made with beef. You can use either or even ground turkey or a vegetarian substitute.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, corn, or green beans to the meat mixture.
- Potato Topping Variations: You can enrich the mashed potatoes with cheese, sour cream, or an egg yolk for extra creaminess.
- Layer Variations: The number of layers is up to your preference and the depth of your dish. The image shows a multi-layered version, but a single layer of meat and a single layer of potatoes is also common.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the meat filling and mashed potatoes separately ahead of time, store them in the refrigerator, and assemble and bake the pie when ready to serve.
- Freezing: Shepherd’s Pie freezes well. Assemble the pie in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding about 15-20 minutes to the baking time.
Enjoy this comforting and hearty layered Shepherd’s Pie!