French Canadian Shepherds Pork Pie with Variations

Delight in the comforting flavors of French Canadian Shepherd’s Pork Pie, a hearty twist on the classic shepherd’s pie. This traditional dish features a spiced ground pork filling, infused with warm hints of cinnamon, cloves, and sage, layered beneath a buttery blanket of creamy mashed russet potatoes. A sprinkle of breadcrumbs adds texture, while an optional golden egg wash lends a crispy, rustic finish. Perfect for cozy family dinners, this versatile recipe invites creative variations—mix in Parmesan cheese for added richness or experiment with your favorite herbs. Ready in just over an hour, this comforting, oven-baked delight serves six and pairs beautifully with a crisp side salad or seasonal vegetables.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds Ground pork
• 4 large Russet potatoes
• 1 medium, finely chopped Onion
• 2 minced Garlic cloves
• 0.25 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
• 0.125 teaspoons Ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoons Dried sage
• 1 teaspoons (divided) Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 0.5 cups Milk
• 0.5 cups Breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
• 1 large, beaten Egg
• 0.25 cups, grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Peel and cube the potatoes. Place them in a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until fork-tender.

Step 2

While the potatoes cook, heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Add the ground pork to the skillet. Cook until the pork is browned and fully cooked, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 4

Season the pork mixture with ground cinnamon, ground cloves, dried sage, 0.5 teaspoons of salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and continue cooking for another 2 minutes to allow the spices to toast slightly.

Step 5

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 6

Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Add butter, milk, 0.5 teaspoons of salt, and any optional Parmesan cheese. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy.

Step 7

In a greased 9-inch pie dish, press the ground pork mixture evenly to form the bottom layer. Spread the breadcrumbs evenly over the pork layer, then spoon the mashed potatoes on top, carefully smoothing them out to cover the pork completely.

Step 8

Brush the beaten egg over the mashed potato layer for a golden, crisp top (optional).

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the pie is heated through.

Step 10

Let the pie rest for 5 minutes after baking before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2058.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3584.7

Total Fat 180.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 68.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.2g
Cholesterol 689.1mg	0%
Sodium 3145.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 273.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.9g	0%
Total Sugars 20.0g
Protein 214.4g	0%

Vitamin D 58.2IU	0%
Calcium 548.4mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 6964.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.4%

Protein: 24.0%

Carbs: 30.6%