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Classic Shepherd’s Pie

A close-up shot of a hearty slice of classic shepherd's pie with a golden-brown mashed potato topping.
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A comforting and hearty shepherd’s pie with a savory ground beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Perfect for a family dinner or make-ahead meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  3. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in the dried thyme and rosemary. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  6. While the filling simmers, place the quartered potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes well.
  7. Return the drained potatoes to the pot. Add milk and butter. Mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the meat filling to a baking dish.
  9. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat filling. If desired, sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  11. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can use ground lamb instead of beef to make a traditional shepherd’s pie. Cottage pie is made with beef.
  • To make this a one-pan meal, ensure your skillet is oven-safe.
  • This casserole freezes well. Let it cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven.
  • For meal planning, consider pairing this with a simple green salad.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/classic-shepherds-pie-recipe/