Go Back
A freshly baked shepherd's pie with a golden-brown mashed potato topping.

Proven way to grow a perfect Shepherd's Pie

This classic Shepherd's Pie features a rich, savory meat filling topped with a fluffy layer of mashed potatoes, baked until golden and bubbly. It's a comforting and hearty meal perfect for any occasion.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Filling
  • 1 lb ground lamb
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 cup frozen peas
For the Topping
  • 2 lbs potatoes Russet or Yukon Gold, peeled and quartered
  • 0.5 cup milk warm
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 cup cheddar cheese shredded, optional

Equipment

  • large oven-safe skillet
  • large pot
  • potato masher

Method
 

Make the Filling
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and begin browning the ground lamb in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, then drain any excess fat.
  2. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet, cooking them until softened, about 5-7 minutes, before stirring in the minced garlic and cooking for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
  4. Season the filling with dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce slightly thickens.
  5. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the frozen peas.
Prepare the Topping
  1. While the filling simmers, boil the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot of salted water until they are very tender when pierced with a fork, which takes about 15-20 minutes.
  2. Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly, then return them to the empty pot and mash them until smooth.
  3. Mix in the warm milk, butter, salt, and pepper into the mashed potatoes until well combined and creamy.
Assemble and Bake
  1. Spread the mashed potato topping evenly over the meat filling in the skillet, using a fork to create ridges on the surface.
  2. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes, then bake the Shepherd's Pie for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Notes

For an extra golden crust, you can briefly place the pie under the broiler for the last few minutes of baking. You can also prepare the filling and topping ahead of time and assemble just before baking.