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Shepherd’s Pie recipe

Shepherd’s Pie

This comforting Shepherd’s Pie, made with creamy mashed potatoes atop a savory meat and vegetable filling, is perfect for family gatherings. Easy to make and packed with flavor, it’s a dish that will bring smiles to your dinner table.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large oven-proof skillet

Ingredients
  

For the Mashed Potatoes:

  • 2 pounds russet potatoes (peeled and quartered)
  • ½ cup milk
  • ¼ cup butter
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

For the Filling:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 large carrots (peeled and chopped)
  • 2 stalks celery (chopped)
  • 1½ pounds ground lamb or beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup chicken broth (or beef broth if using ground beef)
  • 1½ tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (finely chopped)
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions
 

  • Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 13 to 15 minutes, until tender when pierced with a fork.
  • Drain the potatoes, returning them to the pot. Mix in the milk, butter, along with salt and pepper, and mash until smooth and creamy.

For the Filling:

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F. Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat.
  • Sauté the onion and garlic for about a minute, then add carrots and celery. Cook for another 2 minutes before adding the ground lamb or beef. Brown the meat for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
  • Once browned, drain off excess fat, and stir in the broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, letting the sauce thicken slightly.
  • Add the frozen peas and stir the mixture together. Use the back of a spatula to flatten the meat mixture evenly in the skillet.
  • Spread the creamy mashed potatoes over the meat layer, smoothing them out to the edges. If you like, use a fork to create some texture on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is slightly golden. If desired, broil for 1 to 2 minutes for an extra crispy top.
  • Enjoy this delightful pie with a side of crusty bread for a perfect family meal!
Keyword Pie