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Easy Shepherds Pie


  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

Description

A classic, comforting dish featuring a rich, savory ground meat and vegetable filling topped with creamy, golden mashed potatoes. Perfect for a hearty family meal any night of the week.


Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Mashed Potato Topping:
  • 2 lbs starchy potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold), peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream, warmed
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
  • For the Savory Meat Filling:
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20) or ground lamb
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups beef broth, low-sodium
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)

Instructions

  • 1. Prepare Potatoes & Veggies: Peel and chop potatoes; place in a pot with cold, salted water, boil until tender (15-20 mins). Dice onion, carrots, celery, and mince garlic.
  • 2. Cook Meat Filling: In an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground meat, breaking it up. Drain fat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook until softened (5-7 mins). Stir in garlic and tomato paste for 1 minute.
  • 3. Thicken Sauce: Sprinkle flour over meat mixture, stir for 1 minute. Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire, scraping up browned bits. Add thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes until thickened. Season. Remove bay leaf.
  • 4. Make Mashed Potatoes: Drain potatoes. Return to pot over low heat to dry. Mash with warm milk, butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth and creamy.
  • 5. Assemble Pie: Pour meat filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top, creating peaks with a fork.
  • 6. Bake to Perfection: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbling and potatoes are golden brown. Broil for 2-3 minutes for extra crispness (watch carefully). Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins