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Classic Comfort Shepherd’s Pie

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A simple, hearty shepherd’s pie recipe featuring slow-simmered ground meat with vegetables and a creamy mashed potato topping, perfect for cozy dinners and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground lamb or beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 1 cup frozen peas (about 150 g)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth (240 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 2 pounds potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
  • 4 tablespoons butter (55 g), divided
  • 1/2 cup milk or cream (120 ml)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Peel and dice the potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes. Place in a pot, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 15-18 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons butter and milk or cream to the hot potatoes. Mash with a potato masher or ricer until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
  3. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and carrots until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high, add ground lamb or beef, and brown until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes, breaking up meat with a spoon.
  5. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and fresh thyme. Pour in beef broth, bring to a simmer, and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in frozen peas and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  6. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spoon meat mixture into a baking dish and spread evenly. Layer mashed potatoes on top, smoothing with a spatula. Optionally, create texture with a fork for a golden crust.
  7. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and crispy. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If mashed potatoes are too stiff, add a splash more milk before spreading. Tent with foil if the potato topping browns too quickly. Browning the meat thoroughly before simmering builds deeper flavor. Season each layer separately for best taste. For a golden crust, broil for last 2-3 minutes while watching closely.

Nutrition

Keywords: shepherd's pie, comfort food, ground lamb, mashed potatoes, easy dinner, classic recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/classic-comfort-shepherds-pie-recipe-easy-homemade-5-step-guide-for-perfect-dinner/