Description
This Easy Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a savory ground lamb and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden brown. It’s a hearty and fulfilling family dinner that’s simple to prepare and perfect for cozy meals.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 lb (450 g) ground lamb (or beef for cottage pie)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Mashed Potato Topping
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Mashed Potatoes: Boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water until tender, approximately 15-20 minutes. Drain well, then mash the potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the shepherd’s pie.
- Cook Aromatics: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown Meat: Add the ground lamb to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring and breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add Flavorings and Vegetables: Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, dried thyme, frozen mixed vegetables, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer Filling: Reduce heat and simmer the meat and vegetable mixture for 10 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly and flavors meld together.
- Assemble Pie: Transfer the meat and vegetable filling evenly into a baking dish. Spread the prepared mashed potatoes evenly over the filling layer. If using cheddar cheese, sprinkle it evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the assembled shepherd’s pie in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Optional Broil: For a more golden and crispy topping, broil the shepherd’s pie for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Notes
- For an authentic Shepherd’s Pie, use ground lamb instead of beef.
- Cottage pie is the variant made with ground beef.
- Broiling the pie for 2–3 minutes gives the mashed potatoes a nicely browned, crispy top.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
