Description
A comforting Shepherd’s Pie featuring ground beef or lamb, mixed vegetables, and a creamy mashed potato topping, ideal for family dinners. Customize with your favorite veggies or substitute the meat for a lighter option. Enjoy with a side salad for a complete meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups mashed potatoes (prepared from scratch or store-bought)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and diced carrots to the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots start to soften.
- Next, add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Make sure to drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Once the meat is browned, stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. If the mixture seems too thick, you can add a little more broth.
- After simmering, add the frozen peas and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together and remove from heat. Set aside to cool slightly.
- If youre making mashed potatoes from scratch, peel and chop about 4-5 medium potatoes. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the potatoes simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to taste. Mash until smooth and creamy. If you like, you can also add some garlic powder or cream cheese for extra flavor.
- Set the mashed potatoes aside while we assemble the pie.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large baking dish (about 9×13 inches), spread the meat filling evenly across the bottom. Make sure to cover the entire base.
- Using a spatula, carefully spread the mashed potatoes over the meat filling. You can create peaks and valleys with the back of a spoon for a rustic look, which will help them brown nicely in the oven.
- If youre using shredded cheddar cheese, sprinkle it evenly over the top of the mashed potatoes for an extra cheesy layer.
- Place the assembled Shepherd’s Pie in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- If you want an extra crispy top, you can broil it for an additional 2-3 minutes, but keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Once done, remove the Shepherd’s Pie from the oven and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This will help the layers set a bit and make it easier to serve.
Notes
- This Shepherd’s Pie is a comforting dish perfect for family dinners.
- Feel free to customize the filling by adding other vegetables like corn or bell peppers.
- You can also substitute the ground beef or lamb with turkey or a plant-based alternative for a lighter version.
- Enjoy with a side salad for a complete meal!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes