Description
This classic Shepherd’s Pie recipe features a savory mixture of ground lamb, vegetables, and rich seasonings topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked to golden perfection. It’s a comforting and hearty dish perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Liquid and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Topping
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to start building the base flavors for the pie filling.
- Sauté onion: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook carrots: Add the diced carrots, cooking for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
- Brown lamb: Add the ground lamb to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Season filling: Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to enrich the flavor.
- Coat with flour: Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir thoroughly to coat the ingredients, helping to thicken the sauce.
- Add broth: Pour in the beef broth and stir to combine everything evenly.
- Simmer mixture: Let the filling simmer for 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly for a rich, hearty consistency.
- Add peas: Stir in the frozen peas and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- Season to taste: Add salt and black pepper as desired for balanced seasoning.
- Prepare baking dish: Transfer the meat and vegetable filling into a baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Add mashed potatoes: Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the filling and spread them out with a spatula to cover completely.
- Smooth topping: Smooth the mashed potato surface with the back of a spoon or spatula for an even layer.
- Decorate surface: Use a fork to lightly score the top of the mashed potatoes, creating decorative lines if preferred.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
- Bake Shepherd’s Pie: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden brown and crispy.
- Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and let the pie sit for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef or turkey if lamb is unavailable.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine while simmering the filling.
- Using leftover mashed potatoes works perfectly for topping, saving preparation time.
- To create a crispy potato topping, brush the surface with a little melted butter before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
