Shepherd’s Pie is a classic comfort dish from the UK—savory minced meat topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden.
🥧 Ingredients
Filling
- 500 g ground lamb (traditional) or beef (then it’s technically cottage pie)
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup carrots (diced)
- ½ cup peas
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef or lamb stock
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt & pepper
- 1 tsp thyme or rosemary
Mashed Potato Topping
- 3–4 large potatoes (boiled)
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ cup milk
- Salt to taste
🔪 Steps
1. Make the filling
- Cook onions + garlic in a pan until soft
- Add ground meat, cook until browned
- Stir in tomato paste, herbs, salt, pepper
- Add stock + Worcestershire sauce
- Simmer 10–15 minutes until thick
- Add peas and carrots, cook a few more minutes
2. Prepare mashed potatoes
- Mash boiled potatoes with butter, milk, and salt until smooth
3. Assemble
- Spread meat mixture in a baking dish
- Add mashed potatoes on top (use a fork to create texture)
4. Bake
- Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20–25 minutes
- Broil/grill for 5 minutes for a golden top
🔥 Tips for Best Flavor
- Use lamb for authentic Shepherd’s Pie
- Add a little cheese to mashed potatoes for richness
- Let it rest 10 minutes before serving (sets better)
🍽️ Variations
- Beef version → Cottage pie
- Add corn or mushrooms for extra texture
- Spice it up with a pinch of chili flakes
If you want, I can show you a restaurant-style version or a quick 30-minute shortcut recipe 👌
