Shepherd’s Pie

Traditional Shepherd’s Pie, a classic dish of Irish origin, is typically made with ground lamb. It’s wonderfully comforting, rich, savory gravy and tender vegetables tucked beneath a golden crust of creamy mashed potatoes. My homage to this beloved favorite can be prepared with either traditional ground lamb or the more readily available option of high-quality lean ground beef. Whichever you choose, it’s mouthwateringly delicious.

What’s the Difference Between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie?

Truth is, they’re very similar. Shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with lamb and cottage pie is prepared with ground beef. I’ve had it both ways. One of my favorite variations of Shepherd’s pie combines ground lamb with ground beef for a fantastic balance of flavors. Some might say adding ground beef to Shepherd’s Pie is a sacrilege, however my kitchen rule of thumb is to make any dish the way your family will enjoy it the most. This recipe is prepared with ground lamb, but beef may be substituted of course, with no other adjustments needed.

Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Shepherd’s Pie (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Meat – Ground lamb or ground beef forms the meat layer.
• Veggies – Sweet onion, peas and carrots add flavor and texture. Minced garlic adds depth of flavor.
• Oil – Olive oil for cooking the lamb and vegetables.
• Spices – Salt, black pepper and Herbes de Provence (or Mrs Dash Original) amp up the flavor.
• Liquid – Beef stock or beef broth for moisture.
• Tomato Past and Worcestershire Sauce – Tomato paste thickens the filling and Worcestershire sauce enhances the flavor of the meal.
• Fresh Herbs – Fresh parsley and thyme.
• Mashed Potatoes – Cooked and cooled mashed potatoes.
• Butter – Salted or unsalted butter for the top.

How to Make the Best Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
• Sauté Vegetables – Cook diced onion and carrot in a couple of drizzles of olive oil until carrots are tender and onion is beginning to brown. Add  seasoned salt, pepper and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
• Brown Lamb – Add the ground lamb cooking until no pink remains. Adjust the seasoned salt and black pepper, to your taste. Drain excess fat from the pan.
• Seasonings – Add Worcestershire, beef broth, tomato paste, fresh thyme, Mrs. Dash and frozen baby peas. Stir over low heat just until thickened around 1-2 minutes. Remove from the stovetop adding chopped parsley.
• Combine – Pour meat mixture into the baking dish and spread the mashed potatoes on top. Brush the top of the potatoes with melted butter.
• Oven – Bake per the baking time in the recipe until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.
• Stand Time – Let stand for 5 minutes then serve.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Southern Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

• Large skillet.
• Knife and cutting board.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Shallow 12×8-inch casserole dish or baking pan.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Protein – Lamb is classic in Shepherd’s pie but you could adapt this recipe using ground beef, ground chicken or ground turkey. Regardless, it’s guaranteed to be delicious. After all, it’s your kitchen, right?
• Seasonings – Please note: You can use Herbes de Provence, Mrs Dash or a dry Italian blend of seasonings for the meat mixture.
• Potatoes – To save time, you could adapt this recipe using your favorite brand of instant potatoes prepared per the package directions. Cool completely then proceed with the recipe.
• How to Serve – You may enjoy pairing this Shepherd’s Pie with  yummy spinach salad and crusty homestyle garlic bread. It’s comfort food at it’s finest.

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – This dish can be assembled one day in advance and chilled until baking. Just cover with plastic wrap and pop it into the refrigerator overnight. When doing so, allow 15-20 minutes on the counter prior to baking to bring it to room temperature.
• Leftovers – Store baked shepherd’s pie in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating – Reheat in single servings in the microwave or in a preheated 325°F oven with a piece of foil on top baking just until heated through.
• Freezer – You can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

How to Make Mashed Potatoes for Shepherd’s Pie

It’s best to make the topping for this recipe using cold mashed potatoes.

• You can use my recipe for Easy Mashed Potatoes or Swiss Cheese Mashed Potatoes recipe.
• At times, I reinvent leftover Buttermilk Ranch Mashed Potatoes or Baked Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes. 
• For any of these recipes you boil cubed potatoes in salted water until they’re fork tender. Drain them, then add the butter, salt and remaining ingredients per the recipe and whip until smooth. Cool them completely before adding to the top of this shepherd’s pie.

More Irish Inspired Recipes You May Also Like to Make

• This Irish stew called Dublin Coddle  is super simple to make and it features chunks of potatoes, onions and smoked sausages.
• Easy Irish Soda Bread with a side of sweet cream butter is the perfect side dish to sop up the flavorful broth.
• Delicious Corned Beef and Cabbage is the ideal dish to serve any time of year but especially for St Patrick’s Day.
• You may also like this recipe for Irish Colcannon from Homemade Hooplah.

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

• Baking Dish
• Knives and Chopping Board
• Measuring Set
• Mixing Bowls

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5 from 3 votes

Shepherd’s Pie

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Resting Time5 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course: Casserole, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Irish, Southern

Keyword: shepherds-pie

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 538kcal

Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium sweet onion diced
• 1 /2 cup diced carrot
• 1 tsp seasoned salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 clove minced garlic
• 2 lb ground lamb OR ground beef
• 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup low sodium beef stock
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 2 tsp fresh thyme chopped
• 1 tsp Herbes de Provence OR Mrs Dash Original
• 1/2 cup frozen baby peas
• 1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
• 1 Tbsp butter melted
• 5-6 cups cool mashed potatoes

Instructions

• Prepare the Mashed Potatoes In advance and chill.  
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
• On the stove top over medium-high heat, cook diced onion and carrot in a couple of drizzles of olive oil. Cook for about 5 minutes or until carrots are tender and onion is beginning to brown. Add  seasoned salt, pepper and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
• Add the ground lamb cooking until no pink remains. Adjust the seasoned salt and black pepper, to your taste. Drain excess fat from the pan.
• Add Worcestershire, beef broth, tomato paste, fresh thyme, Herbes de Provence and frozen baby peas. Stir over low heat just until thickened around 1-2 minutes. Remove from the stovetop adding chopped parsley.
• Pour meat mixture into the baking dish and spread the mashed potatoes on top. Brush the top of the potatoes with melted butter.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and the edges are bubbly. Increase the oven to broil, if needed to brown the top.
• Rest for 5 minutes then serve.

Notes

• Protein – Lamb is classic in Shepherd’s pie but you could adapt this recipe using ground beef, ground chicken or ground turkey. Regardless, it’s guaranteed to be delicious. After all, it’s your kitchen, right?
• Seasonings – Please note: You can use Herbes de Provence, Mrs Dash or a dry Italian blend of seasonings for the meat mixture.
• Potatoes – To save time, you could adapt this recipe using your favorite brand of instant potatoes prepared per the package directions. Cool completely then proceed with the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 538kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 873mg | Potassium: 931mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 4255IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 4mg

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