Ahhh, comfort food royalty 🥧🔥
Let’s do a proper Shepherd’s Pie—rich, cozy, and deeply satisfying (lamb, not beef 😉).
🥧 Classic Shepherd’s Pie (Rich & Comforting)
Filling
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 500 g ground lamb
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary (optional)
- 1 cup beef or lamb stock
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Salt & black pepper
Mashed Potato Topping
- 1 kg potatoes, peeled & chopped
- ½ cup warm milk or cream
- 4 tbsp butter
- Salt to taste
- Optional: ¼ cup grated cheddar or parmesan
👩🍳 Instructions
- Potatoes: Boil in salted water till fork-tender. Drain, mash with butter, milk, and salt. Set aside.
- Filling:
- Heat oil, sauté onion + carrots till soft.
- Add garlic, cook 30 seconds.
- Brown lamb, breaking it up well.
- Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, herbs.
- Pour in stock and simmer 10–15 min until thick.
- Fold in peas, season well.
- Assemble: Spread lamb filling in a baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes, rough up the surface with a fork.
- Bake: 200°C / 400°F, 25–30 min until bubbling and golden.
- Broil (optional): 2–3 minutes for crispy peaks.
🔥 Pro Tips
- Rough potato peaks = more golden crunch.
- Add a splash of red wine to the lamb for extra depth.
- Brush the potato top with melted butter for next-level browning.
- Let it rest 10 minutes before serving (worth it).
Variations
- Cottage Pie: swap lamb for beef.
- Fancy: mix roasted garlic into the mash.
- Ultra-comfort: add cheese to the mash AND the filling 😌
Want a quick weeknight version, individual ramekins, or a chef-level upgrade?