Description
Hearty British classic Shepherd’s Pie brings comfort straight from Irish kitchens with layers of savory ground lamb and creamy mashed potatoes. Perfectly balanced flavors and rustic charm make this dish a delightful home-cooked meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb 90% lean ground beef or lamb
Vegetables:
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas & carrots
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1 1/2–2 lb russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Seasonings and Other Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup half & half
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Caramelize onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat with oil until golden and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce meat, herbs, salt, and pepper to the skillet, cooking for 6-8 minutes until thoroughly browned and developing rich color.
- Incorporate Worcestershire sauce and minced garlic, allowing flavors to meld for 1 minute while stirring continuously.
- Sprinkle flour and tomato paste into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to create a cohesive base.
- Pour broth and chopped vegetables into the skillet, reducing heat and allowing ingredients to simmer and develop depth for 5 minutes.
- Submerge potatoes in boiling water, cooking for 10-15 minutes until fork-tender and soft throughout.
- Carefully drain potatoes and return to pot, letting residual steam evaporate for 1 minute.
- Blend butter, half & half, and seasonings into potatoes, mashing until smooth and creamy.
- Gently fold parmesan cheese into mashed potato mixture for added richness.
- Preheat oven to 400°F, preparing for final assembly.
- Transfer meat mixture into a 9×9 baking dish, creating an even layer and topping with mashed potatoes.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until top becomes golden and edges are bubbling.
- Allow dish to rest for 15 minutes before serving, enabling flavors to settle and stabilize.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly for deeper, sweeter flavor that enhances the entire dish’s richness.
- Choose lean ground beef or lamb for a healthier protein option without sacrificing taste.
- Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to elevate the traditional comfort food profile.
- Swap dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives for a vegan-friendly shepherd’s pie adaptation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg