Shepherd’s Pie is classic comfort food—savory minced meat topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden.
🥧 Shepherd’s Pie (Traditional Style)
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 500g minced lamb (traditionally lamb; beef makes it “cottage pie”)
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 carrot (diced)
- ½ cup peas
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup broth (chicken or beef)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme or mixed herbs
- 2 tbsp oil or butter
For the mash topping:
- 3–4 potatoes (boiled & mashed)
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup milk
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Make the filling
- Heat oil in a pan, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add minced lamb and cook until browned.
- Stir in carrot, peas, tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs.
- Simmer 10–15 minutes until thick and flavorful.
- Prepare mashed potatoes
- Mash boiled potatoes with butter, milk, and salt until smooth.
- Assemble
- Spread the meat mixture in a baking dish.
- Spoon mashed potatoes on top and spread evenly.
- Use a fork to create ridges (these crisp up nicely).
- Bake
- Bake at 200°C for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden.
- Optional: broil/grill for a few minutes for extra browning.
🔥 Tips
- Add a little cheese to the mash for extra richness.
- Let it rest 5–10 minutes before serving so it holds shape.
- You can swap lamb with chicken or beef if needed.
🍽️ Optional add-ins
- Mushrooms for deeper flavor
- Corn for a slightly sweet twist
- Chili flakes for heat
If you want, I can give you a quick 30-minute version, a baked cheesy version, or a budget-friendly Pakistani-style twist.
