Traditional Shepherd's Pie is a dish of Irish origin that's typically made with ground lamb. It's so very scrumptious with its rich gravy and vegetables topped with a crust of mashed potatoes. My homage to Shepherd's Pie can be made using either ground lamb or the more readily available option, a good quality lean ground beef. It's mouth wateringly delicious either way.
Shepherd's Pie versus Cottage Pie
Shepherd's pie and cottage pie are so very similar. As I've mentioned, 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.
Make this Savory Pie Your Way
Cooking is meant to be fun, at least that's the rule at our home. Have fun and be creative adapting this comfort food dish using lamb, ground beef, ground chicken or ground turkey no matter what, it's guaranteed to be delicious. After all, it's your kitchen, right? This dish, like so many that I love, can be assembled in advance and baked when you're ready to serve it alongside a yummy salad and crusty garlic bread. It's comfort food at it's finest.
Other Irish Inspired Dishes You May Like
- An Irish stew called Dublin Coddle that features potatoes, onions and smoked sausages
- Easy Irish Soda Bread
- Delicious Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Irish Colcannon from Homemade Hooplah
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion diced
- 1 /2 cup diced carrot
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- ½ 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 Mrs Dash Original
- ½ cup frozen baby peas
- 1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
- 1 Tbsp butter melted
- Swiss Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Instructions
- Prepare the Swiss Cheese 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, Mrs Dash and frozen baby peas. Stir over low heat just until thickened around 1-2 minutes. Remove from the stovetop adding chopped parsley.
- Pour 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.
Nutrition
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Chris
Great dish!! I've made this multiple times but I always use leftover smoked brisket. It is AMAZING!! Thanks for the recipe.
Melissa
That sounds delish, thank you!
Darcy Hodges
Awesome post.. the food looks so delicious...
Nagi@recipetineats
Thank you for sharing my Irish Stew Melissa! Your Shepherd's Pie looks amazing - and you're right, it's delicious made with either beef OR lamb! N x
Melissa
Hi Nagi! It's my pleasure, thanks so much.
Lisa
Hubby loved this! Complex flavors in a comfort food dish! Thanks for the great recipes!
Melissa
Wonderful, it's my pleasure!
Debbie
The link to the swiss cheese mashed potatoes is not correct.
Melissa
Swiss Cheese Mashed Potatoes here
Melissa
Thanks Linda!
Linda
Great recipe Melissa. Love the cheesey potatoes. You've done it again!
Melissa
Hi Sharon, what a sweet comment. Yes, this is delicious with ground beef with no other adjustments needed. Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit!
Sharon Markey
Plan to make this, but since none of us like lamb, I appreciate it that you can make this with ground beef! I adore your site, your recipes, and your personal observations each day. God Bless.
Peachy
Just a bit of trivia: If it is made with ground beef instead of ground lamp, then it's called Cottage Pie 🙂