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Shepherd's pie recipe served in a bowl with a fork lifting a bite showing layers of meat filling and creamy mashed potatoes
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Shepherd's Pie

Rich, comforting shepherd's pie with seasoned ground lamb (or beef), vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes baked under a golden Gruyere cheese crust. The ultimate family dinner.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, British
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Matt Price

Ingredients

Meat Filling

  • 1.5 lbs ground lamb or ground beef
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2-3 medium carrots diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ cup frozen corn
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Garlic powder and onion powder to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Mashed Potato Topping

  • 2 lbs Yukon gold or russet potatoes peeled and cubed
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 2-3 tablespoons sour cream
  • ½ cup half and half
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ cup Gruyere or Parmesan cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Place peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 15-18 minutes. Drain well.
  • Mash the cooked potatoes until smooth, then add butter, sour cream, half and half, salt, and pepper. Mix until creamy and fluffy. Set aside.
    Creamy mashed potatoes being stirred in a pot for shepherd's pie topping
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground lamb or beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  • Add the diced onion and carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
  • Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, and thyme. Cook for 1-2 minutes to caramelize the tomato paste.
    Butter and fresh rosemary melting in a pot for shepherd's pie mashed potato topping
  • Sprinkle in the flour and stir well. Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring. Let it simmer until it thickens into a rich gravy, about 3-4 minutes.
    Savory meat filling with vegetables simmering in a skillet for shepherd's pie recipe
  • Stir in the frozen corn and peas. Simmer for 3-4 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread the meat filling evenly in a baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes, spreading evenly. Use a fork to create ridges for texture.
    Shepherd's pie assembled in a baking dish topped with mashed potatoes and shredded cheese before baking
  • Sprinkle with Gruyere or Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbling. Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end for extra browning.
  • Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
    Finished shepherd's pie recipe with golden baked crust topped with fresh chopped herbs

Notes

For make-ahead: Assemble, cover with foil, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 extra minutes bake time from the fridge.
Freezer-friendly: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
You can substitute ground beef for ground lamb or use a blend of both.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 580mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g
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