Shepherd’s Pie

5 from 1 vote

Shepherd's Pie

This traditional dish of Ireland is the perfect comfort food for a family dinner or St. Patrick's Day party with friends. Pair it with a lively green salad for an easy meal everyone will love.
Servings 6 people
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

Mashed Potatoes

  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes or russet potatoes
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Meat Filling

  • 1 pound ground beef or ground lamb or turkey
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium Onion chopped
  • 2 medium carrots chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 pinch ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth or beef broth

Instructions

  • Wash and cut the potatoes in half and place in a large pot of salted water. (I don't peel the Yukon Gold potatoes because I like the texture with the skins. If you don't peel them first)
  • Bring the pot to a boil and cook for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender and drain
  • Heat the milk and butter in the microwave or small sauté pan. Adding the hot milk to the hot potatoes will create a nice creamy consistency
  • Place the potatoes back in the pot and begin to add the hot milk/butter mixture. Mash by hand
  • Add the the sour cream, salt and pepper and mash to combine
  • Add more milk/butter as needed and stir until the potatoes are nice and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Cover the pot

Make the meat filling

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
  • chop the garlic, onions and carrots
  • Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan
  • Add the chopped onions and carrots to the pan and sauté until they begin to soften - about 6 minutes
  • Add the chopped garlic, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper and sauté for another 30 seconds
  • Add the meat to the pan and break it up with a wooden spoon
  • Sauté the meat until it's cooked through - about 6-7 minutes and add the tomato paste
  • Add the chicken broth and reduce the heat. Simmer until the sauce begins to thicken - about 10 minutes, then add the peas
  • Cook for a couple more minutes, until the peas have heated through

Assemble the Shepherd's Pies

  • Place the meat mixture into 6 small baking dishes (or one large baking pan)
  • Add the mashed potatoes on top of the meat mixture
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes depending on the size of the Shepherd's Pies - until the filling is piping hot and the potatoes have browned
  • Serve to all your favorite people and enjoy! Everyone's Irish when it comes to Shepherd's Pie
Course: Dinner, Lunch

Join the Conversation

  1. Sarah Stevenson says:

    Do you suggest freezing it? Looks delicious but wondered if I could make a full batch and put in ramikins as pictured and then freeze

    1. HI Sarah-

      Yes – these freeze well. Just be sure to cover it tightly to keep air out, and then thaw/reheat.
      Maggie

      1. Sarah Stevenson says:

        THanks I’ll add to my cooking list. I’m entertaining myself by creating nourishment

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