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Shepherd´s pie

Shepherd’s Pie

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Shepherd’s Pie is a savoury dish made with seasoned ground meat and vegetables, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s baked until golden and crisp on top, creating a hearty, comforting meal.
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine British
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4
Author sumisculinarynotes

Ingredients

For the Potato Topping:

  • 800 g potatoes peeled and chopped
  • 2 tbsp 28g butter
  • 2 –4 tbsp milk or cream adjust for creaminess
  • 1 egg yolk
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • A handful of grated cheese cheddar or Parmesan, optional

For the Meat Filling:

  • 500 g ground lamb or beef
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1 carrot diced small
  • 3-4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 100 ml beef or chicken stock
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce optional but adds flavour
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup frozen peas or corn optional
  • 1 tbsp oil or butter for cooking

Instructions

Make the mashed potato topping:

  • Boil the chopped potatoes in salted water for 10–12 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
  • Drain and mash with butter, milk or cream, egg yolk, salt, and pepper. Stir in cheese if using. Set aside.

Prepare the filling:

  • Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Sauté onions, carrots, and garlic for 5–7 minutes until softened.
  • Add ground lamb or beef, cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and fully cooked.
  • Mix in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Then add flour, stirring to coat everything. This will help thicken the filling.
  • Pour in the stock, add thyme, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir and let simmer for 5–8 minutes, until slightly thickened.
  • Stir in frozen peas or corn and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat.

Assemble the pie:

  • Spoon the meat filling into a small ovenproof dish.
  • Spread the mashed potatoes over the top.
  • Dip the fork in cold water and create textured lines or ridges (they’ll crisp up nicely).
  • Optional: Sprinkle a little cheese on top.

Bake:

  • Preheat oven to 200°C.
  • Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden on top and bubbling around the edges.
  • Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes for extra browning.

Serving Tips:

  • Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Shepherd’s Pie with a green salad, steamed vegetables, or just as it is!
  • Serve with green peas, salad, or crusty bread.
  • Tastes even better the next day!