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Hearty Homemade Shepherds Pie Recipe

Hearty Homemade Shepherds Pie Recipe


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4.7 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Hearty Shepherd’s Pie brings classic British comfort to dinner tables with ground lamb nestled beneath creamy mashed potatoes. Rich layers of savory meat and vegetables promise a satisfying meal we’ll savor until the last delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or ground lamb
  • 2 lbs (907 g) potatoes, peeled & cubed
  • 1 ½ cups beef broth
  • 4 tbsps butter
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 tbsps tomato paste
  • ½ cup milk (or heavy cream)
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • ½ cup frozen corn
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp flour or cornstarch (to thicken)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Potato Preparation: Immerse peeled potatoes in generously salted water, simmering until tender enough for a fork to glide through effortlessly, then meticulously drain and transfer to a mixing bowl.
  2. Texture Transformation: Vigorously mash potatoes into a smooth, creamy landscape, incorporating butter, milk, salt, and pepper, blending until achieving a luxuriously whipped consistency with no lumpy interruptions.
  3. Flavor Enhancement: Elevate the potato canvas by gently folding in sharp cheddar cheese, creating pockets of tangy richness that will surprise and delight the palate with each spoonful.
  4. Final Integration: Allow the potato mixture to rest momentarily, letting the flavors meld and intensify, preparing for its ultimate presentation as a sumptuous, comforting side dish that promises to captivate every dinner guest.

Notes

  • Optimize Potato Moisture: Drain potatoes thoroughly after boiling to prevent watery mashed potatoes, ensuring a thick and creamy texture that holds its shape perfectly when baked.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Experiment with adding roasted garlic, fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, or a splash of beef stock to the mashed potatoes for a more complex and rich taste profile.
  • Create Crispy Potato Topping: Use a fork to create textured peaks on the potato surface before baking, which will brown beautifully and provide a delightful crispy exterior with crunchy edges.
  • Dietary Adaptation Options: Substitute ground lamb with plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian version, or use cauliflower mash instead of traditional potatoes for a low-carb alternative that maintains the dish’s comforting essence.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg