Shepherd’s Pie

My easy shepherd’s pie recipe is so easy to make at home! Hearty and loaded with savory beef or lamb, topped with creamy mashed potatoes, it’s pure Irish comfort food. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly and easy to adapt. 

Shepherd’s pie isn’t fancy, it’s just a straightforward meat-and-potatoes casserole that’s simple to make and so warming. For more savory pie ideas, try Healthy Shepherd's Pie, Turkey Shepherd’s Pie, or a classic Meat Pie or Steak Pie recipe next.

Shepherd's Pie VS Cottage Pie 

Irish Shepherd’s pie is traditionally made from ground lamb topped with mashed potatoes. dish When Shepherd’s pie is made with ground beef, it’s usually called cottage pie. For many people, though, the terms are used fairly interchangeably and this recipe works with either traditional lamb or ground beef. 

Classic Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients

• Ground lamb OR ground beef. You choose! If it’s a special occasion, you might try traditional Irish lamb, or it’s just as delicious with ground beef. Use ground turkey for a lighter version.
• Potatoes. We love regular old russet potatoes for making shepherd’s pie topping.  
• Frozen peas. Shepherd’s pie really is a whole meal: Veggies, beef and potatoes all in one casserole!  
• Carrots. More veggies! 
• Onions. Always. 
• Fresh fennel bulb. If you don’t like fennel, it’s fine to skip this ingredient. 
• Flour. Flour will make the pie’s filling more cohesive and gravy-like. 
• Tomato paste. For extra umami.  
• Unsalted butter. I use unsalted butter in the mashed potatoes so that you control how salty they are. If the mashed potatoes need more salt, add it to taste. 
• Whole milk. Don’t use anything less fatty than whole milk so that the mashed potato topping is gloriously creamy. 
• Beef broth. Hearty and rich, it’s a must. 
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, garlic.

How To Make Shepherd’s Pie

1. Boil the potatoes. 
2. Mash them with a ricer and stir in the butter, milk, salt and garlic. 
3. Brown the ground beef or lamb in a large skillet.
4. Use the same skillet to cook the veggies for the filling. 
5. Make the shepherd’s pie filling! Add flour, tomato paste, beef stock, pepper, thyme, and rosemary to the veggies, and add the beef and peas. 
6. Simmer the pie filling for about ten minutes. 
7. Spread the meat filling in a baking dish. 
8. Top with a layer of mashed potatoes. 
9. Bake for 20 minutes and your shepherd’s pie is done! 

How To Freeze Shepherd’s Pie 

Shepherd's pie recipe is a great freezer recipe! To freeze: Cook it all the way through, and let it cool. Then, wrap it tightly in a few layers of foil, label it with the date and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it defrost in the refrigerator for a few hours, and bake it in the oven set to 400°F to warm it up. You can also freeze it in individual ramekins, for easy single-serving dinners. 

What To Eat With Shepherd’s Pie 

Shepherd’s pie is a one-dish dinner, but vegetable side dishes really round it out. Try serving your homemade shepherd’s pie with: 

• Mushy peas (just like you’d get in a pub)
• Roasted Carrots
• Green Beans with Apples and Sage Butter 
• Braised Greens with Golden Raisins and Maple

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