Description
This classic Shepherds Pie Recipe features savory ground lamb in a rich gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and a golden parmesan crust. It’s a hearty, comforting dish that’s perfect for make-ahead meals and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 1 rib celery, finely chopped
- 3/4 tsp dried thyme
- 3/4 tsp dried rosemary
- 750g ground lamb (or beef)
- 1/4 cup plain flour
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1/2 cup red wine (or water)
- 1 beef bouillon cube, crumbled
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1.2kg potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2–3 tbsp grated parmesan (optional)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- Fresh thyme leaves (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté for 1 minute.
- Add carrot, celery, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Add lamb and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in flour, then add tomato paste, beef stock, red wine, bouillon cube, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves. Stir well.
- Simmer for 30 minutes until thickened into a gravy consistency.
- Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and stir in frozen peas.
- Transfer filling to a baking dish. Let it cool completely.
- Boil potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and steam dry briefly.
- Mash potatoes with butter, then add milk, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Spread mashed potatoes over the cooled filling. Roughen the surface with a fork.
- Sprinkle parmesan on top and drizzle with melted butter.
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30–40 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired.
Notes
- Cool the meat filling before topping to prevent the mash from sinking.
- Creamier mashed potatoes spread more easily and improve texture.
- Make-ahead friendly: assemble and refrigerate or freeze before baking.
- For a gluten-free version, replace flour with cornstarch and skip Worcestershire sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 653
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 742mg
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 139mg
Keywords: Shepherds Pie Recipe, lamb pie, mashed potato casserole, comfort food, Cottage Pie, easy dinner