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Classic Shepherd’s Pie

A generous slice of classic shepherd's pie, featuring a rich meat and vegetable filling topped with golden mashed potatoes and a sprinkle of parsley.
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A comforting and hearty shepherd’s pie with a savory ground meat and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. This classic dish is perfect for family dinners and can be made ahead.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or lamb
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  3. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Stir in garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  6. Stir in frozen peas. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
  7. While the meat mixture simmers, boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
  8. Mash the potatoes with milk and butter until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in Parmesan cheese if using.
  9. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat mixture in the skillet. You can create decorative peaks with a fork if desired.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  11. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer gravy, you can add a tablespoon of flour to the vegetables before adding the broth and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • This shepherd’s pie freezes well. Let it cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven.
  • You can substitute ground lamb for ground beef for a more traditional shepherd’s pie.

Nutrition

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