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Classic Shepherd’s Pie

A close-up of a hearty slice of Shepherd's pie, featuring a rich meat filling topped with fluffy, golden-brown mashed potatoes.

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A hearty and comforting shepherd’s pie, perfect for a cool autumn evening. This recipe features a savory ground lamb filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs ground lamb
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and mash with milk and butter until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in cheddar cheese if using.
  3. In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground lamb over medium-high heat. Drain off excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  6. Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring to coat the vegetables.
  7. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer.
  8. Stir in the thyme and rosemary. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to your liking.
  9. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  10. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat mixture in the skillet. You can create decorative peaks with a fork if desired.
  11. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the potato topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  12. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of red wine to the meat mixture along with the beef broth.
  • If you don’t have ground lamb, ground beef can be substituted for a traditional cottage pie.
  • This dish is a great candidate for meal planning, as leftovers reheat well.

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