Shepherd's Pie (aka. Cottage Pie)
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
30 mins
-
Cook Time
35 mins
-
Course
Main Course, Dinner, Others
Shepherd's Pie (aka. Cottage Pie)
Description
Shepherd's Pie, also called Cottage Pie when using beef, is a classic comfort food combining a rich meat and vegetable filling topped by creamy mashed potatoes. The filling includes ground beef cooked with onion and garlic, thickened with flour and tomato paste, then simmered with beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, and frozen peas, carrots, and corn for texture and sweetness. This mixture is spread in a baking dish and topped with mashed russet potatoes seasoned with butter, milk, and garlic powder. A layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top melts to form a golden, flavorful crust during baking.
The resulting dish offers a contrast between the hearty, well-seasoned meat and tender vegetables beneath the smooth, buttery potato layer. The baking process melds the flavors and creates a comforting, homey meal with a satisfying texture from the crisp cheese topping. Shepherd's Pie is ideal for serving as a main dish and pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed greens.
This recipe serves 6 to 8 people, making it suitable for family dinners or gatherings. It's best baked until the potato topping is set and the cheese is nicely browned. Leftovers can be reheated gently, maintaining the textures of the creamy potatoes and savory meat. Using ground beef allows for flexible substitutions such as lamb or turkey if desired.
Ingredients
Potato Layer
- 3 russet potatoes large
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Meat Layer
- 2 pounds ground beef or lamb, turkey
- 1 onion chopped, small
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 1/2 cups pea frozen
- 1 1/2 cups carrot frozen
- 1/2 cup corn frozen
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
Potato Layer
- Peel potatoes and chop into small pieces. Place chopped potatoes in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender. (About 15 - 20 minutes)
- Drain water from pot. Mash the potatoes. Add butter, milk and garlic powder. Continue to mash until no lumps remain. Cover potatoes and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
Meat Layer
- In a large 12-inch skillet, over medium-high heat, add ground beef,onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook and crumble meat until browned. Drain grease.
- Sprinkle flour evenly over meat mixture. Stir and cook 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire sauce and oregano. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in frozen peas, carrots and corn. Cook another 5 to 10 minutes or until heated through.
- Pour meat mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top. Top potatoes evenly with cheddar cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, for 35 minutes until casserole is hot and bubbly. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- This recipe serves 6 to 8 people, ideal for family meals.
- Use russet potatoes for fluffy mashed potatoes that hold well as a topping.
- Drain excess grease from cooked ground beef to prevent a watery filling.
- Cheddar cheese adds a flavorful crust but can be omitted or substituted if preferred.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
