Shepherd's Pie

Name: Shepherd's Pie
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs ground lamb; 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled, cubed; 4 tbsp unsalted butter; 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed; 1 yellow onion, diced; 3 carrots, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 cup beef broth; 1 cup frozen peas; 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves; 1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced; 2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 2 tbsp olive oil

A hearty British classic featuring a savory ground lamb and vegetable filling in rich gravy, topped with a golden crown of creamy mashed potatoes. Deeply comforting and satisfying for any weeknight dinner.

70 minMediumServes 6480 cal/serving

BritishDinnerStovetop and OvenHigh ProteinHigh FiberAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs ground lamb
2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled, cubed
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
1 yellow onion, diced
3 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 cup frozen peas
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 400°F.
2

Boil 2 lbs peeled, cubed russet potatoes in salted water until very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash with 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/2 cup warmed whole milk, and salt and pepper to taste until smooth. Set aside.
3

Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 3 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook until softened, about 6 minutes.
4

Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, and 1 tsp minced fresh rosemary and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5

Add 1 1/2 lbs ground lamb and cook, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
6

Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce. Pour in 1 cup beef broth, bring to a simmer, and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1 cup frozen peas. Season with 2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
7

Spoon the mashed potatoes over the lamb filling and spread evenly with a spatula. Use a fork to create ridges on the surface.
8

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the potato topping is lightly golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

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Questions

What temperature do I cook Shepherd's Pie at?

For Shepherd's Pie, the oven is set to 400 F (about 205 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 25 minutes, in step 8.

How do I know when Shepherd's Pie is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 6: cook until slightly thickened. Step 8: cook until the potato topping is lightly golden.

Why rest the meat in Shepherd's Pie?

Step 8 reads: "Let rest 5 minutes before serving." Heat drives the juices toward the center. The rest in step 8 lets them spread back out, so they stay in the meat instead of running onto the board when you cut.

What can I use instead of Worcestershire sauce in Shepherd's Pie?

The entry for Shepherd's Pie calls for 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce. In its place: Soy sauce with a few drops of vinegar and a pinch of sugar.

Can I use ground beef instead of ground lamb in Shepherd's Pie?

Yes, at the same weight. The flavor is milder; a pinch more cumin or an extra clove of garlic closes the gap. As written, the entry for Shepherd's Pie uses 1 1/2 lbs ground lamb.

Does Shepherd's Pie contain fish?

Yes: 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce. The full allergen list for this entry is dairy and fish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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