Shepherd S Pie Wellplated Com

Technically speaking, what my mom cooked for us was cottage pie, since the difference between shepherd’s pie and cottage pie is the kind of meat used.

Shepherd’s pie uses ground lamb, while cottage pie uses ground beef.Most of the time in the U.S., we say “shepherd’s pie” for both.While lamb might be the most traditional shepherd’s pie, I’ve made it both ways, and both are delish! Feel free to use whichever meat you or your family prefer.

How to Make Shepherd’s Pie

Don’t let the stodgy sound of ground meat and potatoes fool you—this shepherd’s pie with gravy is scrumptious. Shepherd’s pie is called shepherd’s pie because it is typically made with lamb meat. I’d proudly serve it to a group of friends and know everyone would be pleased. Plus, as recipes like Ground Beef and Potatoes and Instant Pot Pot Roast demonstrate, meat and potatoes can be pretty darn fantastic!

To make this an easy shepherd’s pie, I used a bag of frozen peas and carrots, instead of chopping the veggies myself, which cuts down on prep time.If you make the mashed potatoes ahead, you can have it in the oven even faster.The shepherd’s pie seasoning includes garlic, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and thyme. They are simple and yet make all the difference in creating a rich shepherd’s pie filling.

The Ingredients

Mashed Potato Topping. Luscious mashed potatoes are mixed with butter, Parmesan, salt and pepper, milk (or half-and-half), and an egg yolk for a topping that’s rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious! (Potato lovers, check out my Crockpot Mashed Potatoes too.)Ground Beef. Packed with iron, protein, and vitamins, ground beef helps make this shepherd’s pie hearty.

Onion + Garlic. Powerful flavor builders. Tomato Paste. Adds rich, concentrated tomato flavor to the meat mixture. All-Purpose Flour. Helps thicken the meat mixture, creating a gravy-like consistency. Beef Broth. Savory, and deeply flavorful, the beef broth adds liquid to the base of the dish.

Worcestershire Sauce. Adds wonderful umami flavor. Fresh Thyme + Bay Leaf. Earthy, herby additions that cut through the richness. Frozen Vegetables. I used a bag of frozen peas and carrots to easily sneak in extra veggies.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days. To Reheat. Rewarm shepherd’s pie in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave. To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Baking Dish. Perfect for making this recipe.Potato Masher. An easy way to mash the potatoes. Large Skillet. Great for browning meat and sautéing veggies.

Did you grow up eating shepherd’s pie or cottage pie?

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