Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe : Hearty Comfort Food with Meat & Potatoes
Shepherd’s Pie is a beloved comfort food that layers savory ground meat and vegetables under a blanket of creamy mashed potatoes. It’s warm, filling, and perfect for family dinners, especially when you want something hearty and satisfying with minimal fuss. This classic version keeps it simple, wholesome, and seriously delicious.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
For the Meat Filling:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb ground lamb (or beef for Cottage Pie)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ cup beef broth
½ cup frozen peas
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and chopped
¼ cup butter
½ cup milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Boil the potatoes: In a large pot, cook potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (about 15 minutes). Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Make the filling: While potatoes cook, heat olive oil in a skillet. Sauté onion and carrots for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
Brown the meat: Add ground lamb or beef and cook until browned. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, thyme, and broth. Simmer 5–10 minutes until thickened. Stir in peas and season to taste.
Assemble: Spread meat mixture in a baking dish. Top evenly with mashed potatoes, smoothing the surface.
Bake: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden. For extra browning, broil the last few minutes.
Cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 20g