Shepherd’s Pie

We just had St. Patrick’s day and all the Irish food – but one thing I didn’t see a lot of was shepherd’s pie. A classic Irish dish.

Back in the late 1700s, they needed a way to use their leftovers. They mixed up the meats and vegetables and topped the “pie” with mashed potatoes. It was a hit! And it continues to be a hit today!

Irish

Shepherd’s Pie and it’s cousin, Cottage Pie (shepherds use lamb, cottage uses beef) continue to be a great way to use leftovers and have a great comfort dish.

Making Shepherd’s Pie

Start with the onions. Add the olive oil to a heavy pan and heat it up. Put the onions in and gently sauté until they start to soften.

Add the lamb and cook on medium until it’s browned.

Stir in the herbs, worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, lemon pepper and flour.

Heat, stirring constantly. As the flour begins to brown and thicken, stir in the tomato paste and broth. Stir until well mixed.

Add the peas, corn and port, cover and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Irish

While the meat is cooking, make the potatoes.

Peel each one and cut into medium cubes.

Add to salted water and bring to a boil. Simmer until they fall apart with a fork.

When they are cooked, drain them well.

Add the butter to the bottom of the pan, then drop the potatoes on. Using a masher, mash them with the butter.

Add the half & half and pepper, stirring well and mashing more if needed.

Stir in the cheese and set aside to finish the meat.

Now that both the meat and the potatoes are done, time to build the pie!

Lightly spray a casserole pan with oil. Spread the meat mixture evenly on the bottom.

Top it off with an even spreading of the potatoes.

Bake in a preheated, 400 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is browned and the bottom is bubbling.

Remove from the oven and it let it cool for 15 or 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

© Copyright 2023 The Lazy Gastronome

5 from 10 votes
Shepherd's Pie

A classic Irish dish with lamb and vegetables, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes.

Course: dinner, Main Course, main dish, supper
Cuisine: American, Irish
Keyword: chickpeas, corn, ground lamb, lamb, mashed potatoes, potatoes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: HelenFern
Ingredients
Meat Filling
  • 1/8 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion (about 1/2 of a large onion)
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon crushed, dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1/8 cup flour
  • 1/8 cup tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup corn kernals
  • 1/2 cup peas
  • 1/2 cup tawney port wine (optional)
Potatoes
  • 4 medium russet potatoes
  • 3/4 cup butter (1-1/2 sticks)
  • 1/2 cup half & half
  • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • 3/4 cup shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
Meat Filling
  1. Start with the onions. Add the olive oil to a heavy pan and heat it up. Put the onions in and gently sauté until they start to soften. 

  2. Add the lamb and cook on medium until it's browned. Stir in the herbs, worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, lemon pepper and flour.

  3. Heat, stirring constantly. As the flour begins to brown and thicken, stir in the tomato paste and broth. Stir until well mixed.

  4. Add the peas, corn and port, cover and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Potatoes
  1. While the meat is cooking, make the potatoes.

    Peel each one and cut into medium cubes.

  2. Add to salted water and bring to a boil. Simmer until they fall apart with a fork.

  3. When they are cooked, drain them well.

  4. Add the butter to the bottom of the pan, then drop the potatoes on. Using a masher, mash them with the butter.

  5. Add the half & half and pepper, stirring well and mashing more if needed.

  6. Stir in the cheese and set aside to finish the meat.

Assembly
  1. Now that both the meat and the potatoes are done, time to build the pie!

  2. Lightly spray a casserole pan with oil. Spread the meat mixture evenly on the bottom.

  3. Top it off with an even spreading of the potatoes.

  4. Bake in a preheated, 400 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is browned and the bottom is bubbling.

  5. Remove from the oven and it let it cool for 15 or 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

 

 

© Copyright 2023 The Lazy Gastronome

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This entry was posted in Internationally Inspired, Irish, Lamb, Main dish and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

11 Responses to Shepherd’s Pie

  1. Jerika says:

    5 stars
    I super love this Shepherd’s Pie. Thanks!:)

  2. Stephanie says:

    5 stars
    This is the best Shepherds Pie recipe I have ever made. Delish!

  3. 5 stars
    So delicious! We all loved it Thank you

  4. Angela says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Thanks for sharing.

  5. Ramona says:

    5 stars
    A brilliant, delicious and detailed shepherds pie recipe. It was soo delicious. Will make it again over Easter. Too good not to.

  6. 5 stars
    What a delicious recipe. Thank you for sharing.

  7. Swathi says:

    5 stars
    Shepherds looks delicious perfect meal.

  8. Mina says:

    5 stars
    I love this shepherd’s pie! It’s loaded with all the yummy ingredients and it just looks so delicious!

  9. Elizabeth says:

    5 stars
    Such a great comfort meal! Thanks for the recipe!

  10. Andrea says:

    5 stars
    This shepherd’s pie turned out so good! So easy to make too!

  11. Pingback: International Harry Potter Day - Raise a Toast with Butterbeer!The Lazy Gastronome

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