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Cast-Iron Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

Delicious cast-iron shepherd’s pie: a savory layer of ground meat and vegetables topped with cheesy mashed potatoes, then baked.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 472 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: British

Ingredients

Ground meat:
  • 1 lb ground lamb or ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
  • 2 onions finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots diced
  • 3 garlic cloves grated
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup beef broth 125 ml, Note 2
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 cup frozen peas 150 g
  • Fine sea salt and ground black pepper
Potato topping:
  • 2 lb Russet potatoes 900 g
  • ½ cup whole milk hot, 125 ml Note 3
  • 2 tablespoons butter at room temperature, Note 3
  • a few gratings of nutmeg
  • ½ cup parmesan grated, 60 g, Note 4
  • Fine sea salt and ground black pepper
  • fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Boil the potatoes: Wash, peel, and cube 2 lb potatoes (900 g). Place them in a large pot, cover them with water and bring to a boil. Add ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, lower the heat, cover the pot leaving a small crack open, and cook the potatoes until fork tender, about 15 minutes.
Meat filling:
    Cup of Yum
  1. While the potatoes are cooking, cook the ground meat.
  2. Cook meat: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in the skillet. Add 2 chopped onions and 2 diced carrots and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes, often stirring, until softer. Add 3 grated garlic cloves, stir for a few seconds, then add 1 lb ground beef (450 g). Cook for 5-6 minutes until the meat is brown, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as you go along.
  3. Add 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon thyme, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ cup broth (125 ml), and some salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
  4. Simmer without a lid for about 15 minutes. Add 1 cup of peas (150 g), stir to combine, and cook for another 5 minutes. Adjust the taste with salt and pepper.
  5. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350°F/ 180°C.
Mashed potato topping:
  1. Drain potatoes: Once the potatoes are tender, drain them well and return them to the hot pot. Let them steam for about 1 minute.
  2. Heat ½ cup milk (125 ml) in a small pan or microwave.
  3. Mash potatoes: Add milk, 2 tablespoons butter, a few gratings of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher until smooth. Stir in the ½ cup grated Parmesan (60 g) and adjust the taste with salt and pepper.
Assemble and bake:
  1. Spread the mashed potatoes on top of the meat in an even layer. Then, carefully (the skillet is hot and heavy), place the shepherd’s pie onto the middle rack in the preheated oven (Note 4).
  2. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden.
  3. Let the pie rest for 10 minutes, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve.

Notes

  • Ground meat: Ground lamb is traditional, but ground beef is also delicious (and more readily available).
  • Stock: Sub with chicken or vegetable stock (from a cube is fine).
  • Hot milk and butter at room temperature absorb more easily in the mashed potatoes, thus reducing the risk of you overmixing the mash.
  • Cheese: Sub with grated Cheddar. Or with about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese or sour cream.
  • If the pot seems too full, place it on a baking sheet to avoid the filling bubbling over into your oven. However, if you use a large skillet, that should not happen.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1portion from 6 Calories 472kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 39g (13%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 26g (40%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 9g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 73mg (24%) Sodium 1132mg (47%) Potassium 1111mg (32%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 3912IU (78%) Vitamin C 26mg (29%) Calcium 114mg (11%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 472

% Daily Value*

Serving 1portion from 6
Calories 472kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 39g 13%
Protein 21g 42%
Fat 26g 40%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 9g 45%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 73mg 24%
Sodium 1132mg 47%
Potassium 1111mg 24%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 3912IU 78%
Vitamin C 26mg 29%
Calcium 114mg 11%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.