Description
This Easy Shepherd's Pie is a classic, hearty comfort food made with creamy mashed potatoes layered over a savory ground lamb or beef and vegetable filling. Perfect for a warming family dinner or special occasions like St. Patrick's Day.
Ingredients
Scale
Mashed Potatoes
- 2 pounds russet potatoes (peeled and quartered)
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Meat and Vegetable Filling
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 large carrots (peeled and diced)
- 2 celery stalks (diced)
- 1½ pounds ground lamb or ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth (or beef broth if using ground beef)
- 1½ tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (finely chopped)
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Boil the Potatoes. Place the peeled and quartered russet potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork.
- Mash the Potatoes. Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot. Add milk, butter, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy.
- Preheat the Oven. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to warm up while preparing the filling.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables. Heat avocado or olive oil in a large oven-safe sauté pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then add diced carrots and celery, cooking for a few more minutes until slightly softened.
- Brown the Meat. Add the ground lamb or beef to the pan with the vegetables. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spatula until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Add Seasonings and Broth. Stir in the chicken or beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, fresh rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Incorporate Frozen Peas and Level. Mix in the frozen peas and combine well. Turn off the heat and use the back of a spatula to flatten the meat mixture into an even layer in the pan.
- Top with Mashed Potatoes. Spoon the creamy mashed potatoes over the meat layer. Use a spoon or spatula to spread the potatoes evenly to the edges. Optionally, create texture on top with a fork for a rustic look.
- Bake the Shepherd's Pie. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the top is lightly golden. If desired, broil the top for 1 to 2 minutes to achieve a more browned finish.
Notes
- This recipe can be made with either ground lamb or ground beef depending on preference.
- For extra flavor, use homemade broth or low-sodium broth to control salt content.
- Creating texture on top of the mashed potatoes with a fork before baking gives a nice golden crust.
- You can prepare the meat filling ahead of time and refrigerate before assembling and baking.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk and butter in the mashed potatoes with plant-based alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 606 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 758 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
