Shepherd’s pie

Shepherd’s pie

1 h
Shepherd’s pie is a classic British dish with comforting flavours. Baked in the oven, this meat pie is known for its succulent meat sauce with colourful vegetables and its creamy crust of mashed potatoes. Our recipe for shepherd’s pie is made the traditional way with delicious lamb. Serve a warm meal on cold winter evenings, chilly spring days, or simply any day you yearn for something comforting.
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Instructions

Meat sauce
  • Heat butter in a pan until golden. Fry onions for about 1 minute.
  • Add meat and salt and brown it, stirring, for about 10 minutes – or until all the liquid has cooked off.
  • Add flour while stirring, then add the Worcestershire sauce, tomato purée, stock, and water. Cook over a steady heat and without a lid for approximately 10 minutes while stirring occasionally. Season to taste.
  • Place the meat sauce in an ovenproof dish and scatter the carrots and peas on top.
Mashed potatoes
  • Preheat the oven to 225 °C (convection oven).
  • Peel the potatoes and cut them into smaller pieces. Boil them in a thick-bottomed pot in water without salt for about 20 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes and steam them until completely dry.
  • Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or whisk and add milk little by little while whisking. Add butter and beat the mash lightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Spread the mashed potatoes decoratively on top of the meat sauce in the ovenproof dish and bake it in the middle of the oven for about 20 minutes.
Enjoy!
Tips

Cut your carrots and other vegetables into small, uniform pieces. That way, you ensure that they are all cooked evenly, so every bite is bound to be perfect.

Tips

Go for starchy potatoes like the Russets or the Yukon Golds. These types tend to have a fluffy texture that will break down more easily, resulting in a smooth mashed potato mixture.

Tips

Spread the mashed potatoes evenly on top of the meat sauce, and if you like, see if you can create decorative swirls. By doing so, you are giving the dish a beautiful finish.

Ingredients

Meat sauce
Arla® LactoFREE Slightly Salted Spreadable
10 g
Onions, chopped
2
Garlic cloves, finely chopped
3
Minced lamb
500 g
Coarse salt
1 tsp
Wheat flour (about 20 g)
2 tbsp
Worcestershire sauce
100 ml
Concentrated tomato purée
1 tbsp
Concentrated beef stock
1 tbsp
Water
300 ml
Carrots, coarsely diced
200 g
Frozen peas
200 g
Mashed potato
Potatoes
1 kilo
Milk
100 ml
Butter
50 g
Coarse salt
1 tsp
Coarsely ground pepper
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Make a classic shepherd’s pie

There’s a reason the classic shepherd’s pie remains a staple on British dinner tables. This comforting dish features a rich meat sauce meticulously prepared with minced lamb, onions, and garlic. To add a bit of colour, carrots and peas are scattered on top of the meat. The shepherd’s is then topped with a layer of mashed potatoes, which, when baked, forms a light, golden-brown crust that is simply irresistible.

A hearty dish with tender lamb and vegetables

What makes the shepherd’s pie truly so special is the combination of tender minced lamb and vegetables. The succulent lamb imparts a rich flavour, complemented by the earthy sweetness of peas and carrots. This perfect pairing delights both palate and eyes, with the lamb’s satisfying texture contrasting beautifully with the tender crunch of the vegetables. As you break through the creamy potato topping, the delightful sight of lamb and vegetables welcomes you to savour each bite.

For more British tradition, explore our recipes for toad in the hole, puffy Yorkshire puddings, or a classic lemon drizzle cake.

Topped with mashed potatoes

The creamy, buttery mashed potatoes form a decadent layer atop the meat sauce. This golden-brown potato crust, enticingly crispy, is the first thing that catches your eye. That is why you should take as much care making the mashed potatoes as the meat sauce. The slight crunch of the crust provides a delightful contrast to the tender meat beneath.

Serve as a comforting dinner 

Serve shepherd’s pie on days when you seek comfort and warmth for your family. Invest time and love into preparing and presenting this dish to your loved ones as a comforting embrace after a long day. This homely meal fills your home with delightful scents, drawing everyone to the dinner table. Often, a large shepherd’s pie provides enough for leftovers, so you can enjoy it the next day as well.

What is the difference between shepherd’s and cottage pie?

The difference between a shepherd’s pie and a cottage pie is small but important. While both pies are very similar, the main difference lies in the choice of meat. Cottage pies traditionally use minced lean ground beef as their meat filling, whereas shepherd’s pies tend to use minced lamb. Otherwise, both are savoury British casseroles that celebrate comforting and warm flavours with a potato-based layer on top.

Experiment with the recipe

This pie recipe is very flexible, letting you swap out ingredients and add your own touches. If you do not have carrots and peas, try using sweet peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or sweet corn instead. These vegetables can add different flavours and textures to your pie.

For the mashed potato topping, try mixing in some minced garlic, which gives a rich, subtle flavour. If you like your food cheesy, mix in some shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese with the mashed potatoes for a creamy and indulgent taste.

To enhance the meat sauce, add a bit of soy sauce or miso paste to give it a savoury umami flavour, which complements the meat well. If you are feeling adventurous, a little red wine can also be added to the sauce to bring out a richer, deeper taste.

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