The Best Homemade Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Shepherd’s pie is perfect for family dinners, meal prepping, or even special occasions. It’s a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, and you can easily customize it with your favorite ingredients. Whether it’s a chilly evening or you just need a satisfying homemade meal, this dish will warm you up from the inside out.
Equipment
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Pot for boiling potatoes
- Potato masher or fork
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking dish (8x8 or 9x13 inches)
- Oven Mitts
Ingredients
For the Meat Filling:
- 1 pound 450g ground lamb or beef
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup 150g frozen peas
- 1 cup 150g diced carrots
- 1 cup 150g corn (optional)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup 240ml beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons flour to thicken
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil for cooking
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
- 2 pounds 900g potatoes, peeled and diced
- ½ cup 120ml milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup 50g shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Meat Filling
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add butter or oil.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef or lamb and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Sprinkle in the flour and stir for about 1 minute to thicken the mixture.
- Pour in the beef broth and add the diced carrots, peas, and corn. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften and the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Mashed Potato Topping
- In a large pot, boil the diced potatoes in salted water for about 15 minutes until they are fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy.
- If using cheese, mix half into the potatoes for extra flavor.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat filling, using a spatula or fork to create a smooth layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top (if using).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden and slightly crispy.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Estimated Nutritional Value (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~400-500 kcal
- Protein: ~25g
- Carbohydrates: ~40g
- Fat: ~20g
- Saturated Fat: ~9g
- Fiber: ~5g
- Sugar: ~5g
- Sodium: ~600mg
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.