Description
My Famous Homemade Shepherd’s Pie is a hearty and comforting classic dish combining savory ground meat, fresh vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes. Easy to prepare and customizable, it’s perfect for family dinners and cozy nights, delivering rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Filling
- 1 lb ground lamb (or ground beef/turkey)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Mashed Potatoes
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings and Variations
- Shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese (for cheesy topping)
- Smoked paprika or chili flakes (for spice)
- Sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes
- Lentils or mushrooms as meat substitute (vegetarian option)
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Finely chop the onions, carrots, and any other vegetables you are using. Sauté them in a hot pan with a splash of oil or butter until softened and fragrant to build the base for the filling.
- Cook the Meat: Add the ground meat to the pan with the softened vegetables, breaking it apart as it cooks until browned and no longer pink. This step locks in rich flavors and juices.
- Create the Filling: Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and broth. Let the mixture simmer gently to reduce the liquid and intensify the savory aroma and taste.
- Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: Peel and boil the potatoes until tender. Mash them with butter, cream, salt, and pepper until silky smooth and fluffy to create a rich topping.
- Assemble the Pie: In a baking dish, evenly layer the meat and vegetable filling. Spread the mashed potatoes on top, smoothing the surface or creating ridges with a fork to crisp up during baking.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the dish in a preheated oven and bake until the mashed potatoes develop a golden-brown crust and the filling bubbles at the edges, approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary added at the end to enhance aroma without overpowering flavors.
- Don’t overwork the mashed potatoes to avoid gluey texture; keep them light and fluffy.
- Let the meat filling cool slightly before assembling to prevent potatoes from sliding off.
- For extra crispiness, brush the mashed potatoes with melted butter before baking.
- Bake at a higher temperature for the last 5-10 minutes to create a beautifully browned crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6 of pie)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: shepherd's pie, comfort food, ground lamb, mashed potatoes, easy dinner, family meal, gluten-free
