Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
606 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Description
Easy Shepherd's Pie combines a seasoned ground lamb mixture with a smooth mashed potato topping. The filling starts by sautéing onions, garlic, carrots, and celery in oil, then adding browned ground lamb. Broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, fresh rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper are simmered together to create a rich, slightly thick sauce packed with savory depth. Frozen peas add bursts of sweetness. The mashed potato topping is made by boiling peeled russet potatoes until tender, followed by mashing with milk, butter, salt, and pepper for a creamy texture. The meat filling is spread evenly in an oven-safe pan and topped with dollops of mashed potatoes before baking. This layered dish offers contrasting textures—crumbly meat with soft vegetables beneath a fluffy, golden potato crust.
Shepherd’s Pie is typically served as a standalone hearty meal, well-suited for cooler weather. The wholesome components offer balanced nutrition and filling satisfaction.
For vegetarian or vegan options, the ground lamb can be replaced with mushrooms and lentils, and dairy ingredients substituted with plant-based alternatives such as ghee for butter and non-dairy milk. This flexibility makes the recipe adaptable to different dietary preferences without substantial loss of flavor or texture.
Ingredients
Potato Topping
- 2 pounds russet potato peeled and quartered
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter
- salt to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
Meat Filling
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 onion diced, large
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- 2 carrot peeled and diced, large
- 2 celery diced, stalk
- 1½ pounds ground lamb or ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth or if using ground beef use beef broth
- 1½ tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce see notes above
- 2 teaspoons rosemary finely chopped, fresh
- 1 teaspoon thyme finely chopped, fresh
- 1 cup peas frozen
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a pot on the stove and cover with cold water. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Cook for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork.
- Drain the potatoes in a colander, then return to the pot. Add the milk, butter, salt and pepper and mash until creamy.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large oven-safe saute pan, heat the oil on medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute for a minute. Then add the diced carrots, diced celery, and lamb. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the meat is browned. Use your spatula to break up the meat while cooking.
- Drain the fat from the pan and add the broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until the sauce is slightly thickened.
- Add the frozen peas and stir together. Turn off the stove and use the back of your spatula to flatten the meat mixture into a single layer.
- Dollop the mashed potatoes on top of the meat and use a spoon or spatula to spread it flat to the edges. If desired, create texture in the potato topping with a spoon or fork.
- Bake the shepherd's pie until slightly golden, about 25 to 30 minutes. You can broil the top for 1 to 2 minutes as well.
Notes
- Substitute ground lamb with mushrooms and lentils for a vegetarian or vegan version.
- Use ghee instead of butter and plant-based milk to accommodate dairy-free diets.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 606 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 606kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 40g | 62% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Cholesterol | 105mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 758mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 1160mg | 25% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 3928IU | 79% |
| Vitamin C | 26mg | 29% |
| Calcium | 88mg | 9% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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