A Classic Meal From Across The Pond
You don’t have to go all the way to England for this comforting pub favorite. We’ve got the inside scoop on how to make an old fashioned shepherd's pie recipe at home. It’s a straightforward meat and potatoes meal, with some vegetables and seasonings, that will warm the belly on the coldest of nights. If you don’t finish it all in one sitting, the leftovers are just as good the next day!
![potatoes, ground beef, chopped vegetables, milk, olive oil, spices and other ingredients in bowls to make shepherd's pie](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_1.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669861930&s=bad7a26726085de13d5b761d8694299b)
What Is The Difference Between Shepherd's Pie And Cottage Pie?
There’s a variety of savory, meat-filled pies that have long been enjoyed in Ireland and the United Kingdom, amongst them is the famous shepherd’s pie. Why is it called a shepherd pie? The shepherd’s pie was traditionally filled with ground lamb, and cottage pie was filled with ground beef. Today, the terms are used fairly interchangeably, and our easy shepherds pie recipe calls for either ground lamb or beef, according to your preference!
![milk being poured into a pot with butter](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_2.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862029&s=e5155567c3cb2c955e428efd760cb644)
![boiled potatoes that have gone through a potato ricer and added to a pot with butter and milk](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_4.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862025&s=eac1f3772b476f1ca5cab30da070317f)
![garlic powder, salt and pepper added to mashed potatoes in a pot](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_9.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862021&s=0940341bf54ffa094cd4346ea5a92ecf)
![mashed potatoes being stirred in a pot made with milk, butter, garlic powder, salt and pepper](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_10.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862016&s=c6d333d154d9f2eee9d9efdc6a0ee9fe)
Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients
Our shepherd’s pie recipe layers browned meat, either ground lamb or beef, and topped with creamy mashed taters. Mashed potatoes call for three pounds of potatoes (russets are our fave), butter, milk, and seasonings. For the filling you’ll need two pounds of ground meat cooked with onion, carrots, fennel, and garlic. The ground meat gets a tasty gravy made with tomato paste, flour, and stock with seasonings. Once the filling is cooked, one cup of frozen peas gets stirred through.
![ground beef being cooked in a skillet with olive oil to use for shepherd's pie](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_3.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862051&s=66c167b8ea8b96af8e97109f18e2a923)
![flour being added to a skillet with onions, carrots, fennel, salt and garlic that have been cooked in olive oil](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_5.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862106&s=d630f015a9f04130391500ffa5c99952)
![beef stock being added to a pot with cooked vegetables, tomato paste, pepper, thyme and rosemary](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_6.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862158&s=d285c12dd53141adfc849f009559ad83)
![beef, peas, vegetables, tomato paste and spices all added in a pot together](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_7.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862179&s=e8f9829793b5cfab400c682d0340658b)
How To Make Shepherd’s Pie
Make the mashed potatoes in a large pot, using either a ricer or other tool.
Brown the meat in a large skillet.
For this shepherd's pie with gravy, we’ll build a flavorful gravy for the ground meat with cooked veggies, tomato paste, and stock.
Layer the filling in a baking dish, topped with an even layer of mashed potatoes. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
![ground beef and vegetable mixture for shepherd's pie being spooned into a 9 x 13 casserole dish](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_8.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862302&s=ab32ca7bf23f321860a9c9c8ca2d03c7)
![mashed potatoes being spread on top of a ground beef and vegetable mixture for in a casserole dish to make shepherd's pie](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_11.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862234&s=abc912e8c8113afcf3b77fb89d86195d)
![a shepherd's pie made with a beef and vegetable mixture topped with mashed potatoes ready to be baked in the oven](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_12.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862261&s=f2a92d5f9d21a621c11fc53759398a25)
![homemade shepherd's pie in a casserole dish fresh out of the oven made with ground beef, vegetables and mashed potatoes](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_13.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862313&s=42db72f9728b3b0fd088ae2ae7d86968)
A Meal On Its Own, Or With Some Veg On The Side
We wouldn’t complain if we just had a plateful of shepherd’s pie, but we’re always looking for delicious ways to serve a side of vegetables. If you’d like to add a little something to this hearty meal, we love Green Beans with Apples and Sage Butter or Braised Greens with Golden Raisins and Maple. Need a salad on the side? The Kale Salad or a fresh Caesar Salad will add a fresh crunch to a scoop of Shepherd’s Pie.
Tools You’ll Need
A potato ricer, or some other mashing tool
More Savory Pies To Make This Season
Whether sealed in a flaky pie crust, topped with puff pastry, or cooked in a skillet we love savory pies! Here’s a few more of our favorites:
![homemade shepherd's pie in a casserole dish with a scoop take out made with ground beef, vegetables and mashed potatoes](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2022/ShepherdsPie_14.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1669862329&s=3a88154d733447359f56423571eca961)
Share Your Shepherd’s Pie Success
Snap a photo of your homemade shepherd’s pie and maybe even a video of the beautiful people you feed it to. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper.
There are so many great ways to receive all of our latest recipes, meal tips, and inspiration.