Sheila's Shepherd's Pie

Comforting, hearty, and packed with rich flavors, Sheila's Shepherd's Pie is the ultimate classic dinner recipe that brings everyone to the table. Made with tender ground lamb simmered with caramelized onions, sweet carrots, celery, and a rich blend of tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme, this dish is pure comfort food. Crowned with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes—enriched with egg yolk for a golden finish—and optionally topped with melted cheddar cheese, this traditional recipe is baked to perfection with a bubbling, golden crust. Ready in just over an hour and serving up to six people, it's the perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or cozy family gatherings. Whether you're looking for an authentic shepherd's pie recipe or an irresistible crowd-pleaser, this dish promises a satisfying experience in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 g ground lamb
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrot, diced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 250 ml beef or lamb stock
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 100 g frozen peas
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper
• 1 kg potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 tbsp butter
• 120 ml milk
• 1 large egg yolk
• 50 g cheddar cheese, grated (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground lamb and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Remove the lamb from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.

Step 4

Return the browned lamb to the skillet and stir in the tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes.

Step 5

Pour in the stock and Worcestershire sauce. Add the thyme, salt, and pepper to taste. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, then stir in the frozen peas. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 6

Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in a large pot of salted boiling water for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain well and return the potatoes to the pot.

Step 7

Mash the potatoes with the butter and milk until smooth. Stir in the egg yolk and season with salt and pepper.

Step 8

Spread the lamb mixture evenly in a baking dish. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top, spreading them out evenly. If using cheddar cheese, sprinkle it over the potato layer.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Step 10

Let the Shepherd's Pie rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2372.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3346.0

Total Fat 197.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 84.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.1g
Cholesterol 865.0mg	0%
Sodium 5735.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 224.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.0g	0%
Total Sugars 31.6g
Protein 168.4g	0%

Vitamin D 112.3IU	0%
Calcium 945.7mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 7479.2mg	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: 53.1%

Protein: 20.1%

Carbs: 26.8%