Description
This Easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe features a savory ground lamb or beef filling cooked with onions, garlic, carrots, and herbs, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden. A comforting and classic dish perfect for an effortless weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb ground lamb or beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken or beef broth
- 1 tsp thyme (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking the assembled shepherd’s pie.
- Cook Ground Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground lamb or beef, and cook until fully browned. Drain any excess fat carefully to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned meat. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Add Carrots & Broth: Stir in the diced carrots and cook for another 5 minutes until they start to soften. Pour in the broth, add thyme if using, and season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture simmer until the liquid thickens slightly, intensifying the flavors.
- Assemble Pie: Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture evenly into a baking dish. Spoon and spread the mashed potatoes on top of the meat layer. Use a fork to create small peaks on the mashed potatoes, which will crisp up nicely during baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the mashed potato topping turns golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef for ground lamb based on preference or availability.
- Homemade mashed potatoes yield best flavor, but store-bought mashed potatoes work well for convenience.
- For extra richness, stir a tablespoon of butter into the mashed potatoes before spreading.
- Thyme is optional but adds a nice herbal note; rosemary can be used as an alternative.
- Let the shepherd’s pie rest for 5 minutes after baking to set before serving.
