Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie

6 servings
Classic Shepherd's Pie is always a hit. We love this traditional Irish dish loaded with lamb, veggies, and mashed potatoes!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 1 onion

    diced

  • 2 cloves garlic

    minced

  • 2 carrots

    ½ inch diced

  • 2 ribs celery

    ½ inch diced

  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 ⅔ cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ⅔ cup peas
  • ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper each
  • 2 pounds russet potatoes

    or Yukon gold potatoes

  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • ½ cup warm milk

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F.

  2. 2

    Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch chunks. Place in a large pot of cold salted water.

  3. 3

    Bring the potatoes to a gentle boil and cook 13-16 minutes or until fork tender.

  4. 4

    While potatoes are cooking, combine ground lamb, onion, garlic in a large skillet, brown until no pink remains.

  5. 5

    Add the carrots and celery. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until slightly tender.

  6. 6

    Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, parsley, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf.

  7. 7

    Simmer for 20 minutes or until the gravy has thickened. Remove bay leaf, taste and season with salt and pepper, and add peas.

  8. 8

    Drain the potatoes well and mash until smooth. Stir in the butter. Add warmed milk a little bit at a time until the potatoes are smooth and fluffy, you may not need all of the milk. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

  9. 9

    Top the meat mixture with the potatoes and place in the oven. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden

Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie

5.0(169)80 min6 servings

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Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Exceptional

Based on 169 ratings

spendwithpennies.com
5.0(169 reviews)
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About this Recipe

Craving a deeply satisfying, hearty meal that truly warms you from the inside out? Our classic Shepherd's Pie is the ultimate comfort food, delivering authentic, rich flavors right to your dinner table.

Why This Recipe Works

This traditional Irish dish truly shines because it’s loaded with savory lamb, tender vegetables, and crowned with a luscious, creamy mashed potato topping. Each forkful offers a perfect balance of textures and robust, earthy flavors, making it an instant family favorite that feels both special and comforting.

What to Expect

Prepare for a truly comforting experience. You'll savor a rich, slow-simmered lamb and vegetable filling, deeply seasoned with aromatics like onion, garlic, and a hint of Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste for complex umami. This savory foundation is blanketed under a fluffy, golden-brown mashed potato crust, made with either russet or Yukon gold potatoes for the ideal texture. It's a satisfying, wholesome dish that evokes warmth and tradition with every bite.

Customization & Variations

While our recipe celebrates the classic combination of lamb and vegetables, you have options to tailor it to your preferences. For the vegetable mix, feel free to adjust the proportions of carrots, celery, and peas to your liking. If you prefer a slightly different herb profile, a touch more dried thyme or a different fresh herb stirred into the filling at the end can offer a new twist.

Serving & Context

This classic Shepherd's Pie is perfect for cozy family dinners, holiday gatherings, or any occasion when you need a truly comforting and substantial meal. Serve it simply as is, letting its hearty nature speak for itself, or alongside a fresh green salad for a balanced plate.

Frequently Asked Questions