Real Shepherd's Pie

Discover the hearty comfort of "Real Shepherd's Pie," a classic dish that stays true to its roots by using savory ground lamb as the star ingredient. This recipe combines tender lamb with a medley of vegetables like carrots, celery, and peas, brought together in a rich, aromatic sauce thickened with tomato paste, a touch of flour, and seasoned with fragrant thyme and rosemary. Topped with a layer of creamy, buttery mashed potatoes—optionally finished with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese—this baked delight comes out golden, bubbling, and irresistibly satisfying. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, this shepherd's pie is as wholesome as it is flavorful, offering a delicious blend of textures and heartwarming taste in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:90 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground lamb
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 2 large, peeled and diced carrot
• 2 diced celery stalks
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 500 milliliters beef stock
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 150 grams frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon, chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon, chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 kilogram, peeled and diced potatoes
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 100 milliliters whole milk
• 1 teaspoon, or to taste salt
• 1 teaspoon, or to taste black pepper
• 50 grams grated cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 2

In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the ground lamb and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned. Remove the lamb from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving any fat in the pan.

Step 4

In the same pan, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and flour, cooking for 1-2 minutes. This will help thicken the mixture later.

Step 6

Return the browned lamb to the pan. Stir in the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in the frozen peas and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

Step 7

Meanwhile, place the diced potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Step 8

Drain the potatoes and mash them with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.

Step 9

Transfer the lamb and vegetable mixture to a large oven-safe dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 10

Spoon the mashed potatoes over the lamb mixture, smoothing it out with the back of a spoon. If desired, sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the top.

Step 11

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Step 12

Remove the shepherd's pie from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2760.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3616.9

Total Fat 197.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 86.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.8g
Cholesterol 669.9mg	0%
Sodium 6981.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 284.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 38.5g	0%
Total Sugars 43.2g
Protein 184.2g	0%

Vitamin D 76.1IU	0%
Calcium 954.0mg	0%
Iron 27.0mg	0%
Potassium 9001.2mg	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: 48.7%

Protein: 20.2%

Carbs: 31.2%