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Ultimate Creamy Shepherds Pie

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A rich and creamy shepherd’s pie featuring a velvety mashed potato topping and savory ground meat and vegetable filling, perfect for a comforting homemade meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground lamb or beef
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 1 cup (150g) frozen peas
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240ml) beef or vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or ½ tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 2 lbs (900g) russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream or whole milk
  • Salt and white pepper, to taste
  • Optional: ¼ cup (25g) grated sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Place peeled and quartered potatoes into a large pot of cold salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain well.
  2. Return potatoes to the pot or a mixing bowl. Add the butter and heavy cream. Mash with a potato masher or hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and white pepper. Set aside but keep warm.
  3. While potatoes boil, heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add minced garlic and diced carrots. Sauté for another 3–4 minutes until carrots start to soften.
  5. Add ground lamb or beef to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
  6. Stir in tomato paste, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to let flavors meld.
  7. Pour in broth, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Stir in frozen peas during the last 2 minutes.
  8. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pour the meat and vegetable filling into your baking dish, spreading it evenly.
  9. Top with the creamy mashed potatoes. Use a spatula or fork to spread and create texture on top.
  10. If using, sprinkle grated cheddar cheese evenly over the mashed potatoes for a golden crust.
  11. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
  12. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use Yukon Gold potatoes for extra creamy mashed potatoes. Warm the cream before adding to potatoes to keep them hot. Let the meat brown well for better flavor. Rest the pie 5 minutes before serving to prevent filling from oozing. For dairy-free, substitute butter and cream with plant-based alternatives. Check Worcestershire sauce for gluten if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: shepherd's pie, creamy mashed potatoes, comfort food, ground lamb, ground beef, easy dinner, homemade, family meal

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/ultimate-creamy-shepherds-pie-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food-guide/