Here’s a classic Shepherd’s Pie—comforting, savory, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes baked until golden.
🥧 Classic Shepherd’s Pie
(Traditionally made with lamb; if you use beef, it’s technically Cottage Pie—but both are delicious.)
🧾 Ingredients (serves 4–6)
Meat filling
- 500g ground lamb (or beef)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef or chicken stock
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 tbsp oil or butter
Mashed potato topping
- 4–5 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2–3 tbsp butter
- ¼–½ cup milk or cream
- Salt to taste
- Optional: ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
🍳 Instructions
1. Make the mashed potatoes
Boil potatoes in salted water until soft (about 15–20 minutes).
Drain, then mash with butter, milk, and salt until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
2. Cook the filling
In a large pan:
- Heat oil and sauté onion and carrots for 5 minutes
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds
- Add ground lamb and brown fully
3. Build the sauce
Stir in:
- Tomato paste
- Worcestershire sauce
- Thyme
- Stock
Simmer for 10–15 minutes until thick and rich.
Add peas and cook for 2–3 more minutes. Adjust salt and pepper.
4. Assemble
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
Spread meat mixture evenly in a baking dish.
Top with mashed potatoes, smoothing it out with a fork (this helps crisp the top).
Optional: sprinkle cheese on top.
5. Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and slightly crispy.
For extra browning, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
🍽️ Serving ideas
- Serve hot with buttered green beans or salad
- Add gravy if you want it extra rich
- Great for meal prep—it reheats well
💡 Tips
- Let the filling thicken well before topping so it doesn’t get watery
- Use a fork to create ridges in the potatoes for a crispier top
- Add rosemary or smoked paprika for deeper flavor
If you want, I can also make a keto cauliflower shepherd’s pie, a spicy chili-style version, or a slow cooker shepherd’s pie filling recipe.
