Traditional Shepherd's Pie

March 2, 2023
25 Min Prep Time
Traditional Shepherd's Pie

This hearty and comforting Shepherd's Pie is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for a family dinner or cozy night in. If you're not keen on lamb, you can make a Cottage Pie by using ground beef instead. This recipe calls for mashing potatoes, but feel free to use leftovers.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 pounds of ground lamb
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cups of beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons of dried rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 cup of whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons of salted butter
  • 1 cup of grated sharp cheddar cheese

METHOD

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
  2. In a large skillet, brown the ground lamb over medium heat until it's no longer pink.
  3. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Stir in the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
  5. While the sauce is simmering, boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water until they are tender.
  6. Drain the potatoes and mash them with the milk and butter.
  7. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the lamb mixture, spreading it evenly to cover the surface.
  8. Using a fork, drag the tines through the top of the mashed potatoes to make a pattern.
  9. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the potatoes.
  10. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown.
  11. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with a crisp green salad.