Classic Shepherd's Pie

A traditional British comfort food featuring seasoned lamb mince topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Perfect for a hearty family dinner.

⏱️

45 minutes

👥

Serves 6

🔥

Moderate

Ingredients

For the Meat Layer:

500g lamb mince (or beef mince for cottage pie)
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery sticks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)
1 bay leaf
300ml beef or lamb stock
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
100g frozen peas

For the Potato Topping:

1kg potatoes (Maris Piper or King Edward), peeled and chopped
50g butter
100ml whole milk
1 egg yolk
50g mature cheddar cheese, grated (optional)
Salt and white pepper to taste
Pinch of nutmeg

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Place the peeled and chopped potatoes in a large saucepan of cold, salted water. Bring to the boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.

Drain thoroughly and return to the pan. Mash with butter, milk, and egg yolk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt, white pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Meat Layer

Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add the lamb mince and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned all over.

Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Flavour

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer.

Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the liquid has reduced and the mixture has thickened. Stir in the frozen peas and cook for 2 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the bay leaf.

Step 4: Assemble the Pie

Transfer the meat mixture to a 23cm x 33cm ovenproof dish, spreading it evenly. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top, starting from the edges and working inwards.

Use a fork to create ridges across the surface - this will help create a beautiful golden top. Sprinkle with grated cheese if using.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.

Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to let the filling set slightly.

Chef's Tips

Meat Choice: Use lamb mince for authentic shepherd's pie. If using beef mince, it becomes cottage pie - equally delicious!
Potato Perfection: Floury potatoes like Maris Piper give the fluffiest mash. Avoid waxy potatoes which can become gluey.
Make Ahead: This dish can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated. Add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.
Freezing: Freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Serving Suggestion: Serve with steamed green vegetables or a simple salad for a complete meal.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

485

Calories

28g

Protein

32g

Carbohydrates

25g

Fat