Description
Hearty shepherd’s pie delivers classic comfort from Ireland with ground lamb nestled under creamy mashed potato layers. Rich flavors merge elegantly, inviting you to savor each comforting, rustic bite of this beloved family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or lamb
Vegetables:
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Topping:
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (prepared)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400F (200C) for optimal baking temperature.
- Brown ground meat in a skillet over medium heat, eliminating excess grease completely.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Enhance meat mixture with tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, and beef broth, allowing liquid to reduce and create a rich, thick consistency.
- Fold in frozen peas and carrots, seasoning with salt and pepper to develop robust flavor profile.
- Transfer meat and vegetable combination into a prepared baking dish, ensuring even distribution across the bottom.
- Carefully layer creamy mashed potatoes over meat mixture, using a spatula to create a smooth, uniform surface.
- Place shepherd’s pie in preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until potato topping turns golden brown and develops a slight crispy texture.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and dish to cool slightly.
- Serve piping hot directly from baking dish for maximum flavor and comfort.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef or lamb with less than 10% fat to prevent greasy texture and maintain a lighter dish.
- Add extra frozen mixed vegetables like corn or green beans to increase nutritional value and create more colorful layers.
- Use warm milk and butter when mashing potatoes to achieve ultra-creamy, smooth topping that spreads easily and browns beautifully.
- Prepare the entire casserole in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, which intensifies flavors and saves cooking time.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 445 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg