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Classic Shepherd’s Pie

A close-up of a hearty slice of classic shepherd's pie, featuring a rich ground meat and vegetable filling topped with golden, fluted mashed potatoes.
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A comforting and hearty shepherd’s pie with a savory ground meat and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. This classic dish is perfect for family dinners and can be made ahead.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or lamb
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 4 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
  3. While potatoes boil, heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess fat.
  4. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Stir in garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  6. Sprinkle flour over the meat and vegetable mixture and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute.
  7. Gradually stir in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
  8. Stir in frozen peas. Remove from heat.
  9. Mash the drained potatoes with milk and butter until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in cheddar cheese if using.
  10. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat mixture in the skillet. Use a fork to create texture on top.
  11. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  12. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer gravy, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste with the flour.
  • If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish before topping with mashed potatoes.
  • This dish freezes well. Let it cool completely, then cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/classic-shepherds-pie-recipe/