This Shepherds Pie Recipe is the perfect comfort food and a great way to use leftovers.

Shepherd's Pie

After the recent Quick Baked Potatoes post and with St. Patrick’s Day fast approaching, I found myself in a wee bit of an Irish mode. Plus, I’m still craving all things comfort food. And nothing says Irish comfort food like Shepherds Pie, a hearty, savory pie topped with mashed potatoes. What’s not to like?

(Although I used ground beef instead of ground lamb in this Shepherds Pie Recipe, so I suppose it’s not really shepherd-ish. Maybe it should be called Cowboy’s Pie instead?)

Shepherd's Pie

This Shepherds Pie Recipe is certainly one of those dishes that can be made ahead, and it gets better while it waits. Plus, the well-planned cook will find that this recipe is a great place to use leftovers.

shepherds-pie-2shepherds-pie-4Shepherd's Pie

I adapted the recipe below from Alton Brown’s Shepherd’s Pie Recipe. While preparing it, I thought of a few other ways to switch things up the next time I make it. Sage would be a nice addition, as well as mushrooms, to name a couple, but feel free to experiment with other savory additions.

Shepherd's Pie

This savory pie was a bit hit with our family. It disappeared in no time. I’m thinking it may be a good idea to go ahead and double the recipe the next time we make it. Besides, it would freeze well, and make a great meal to share with someone in need of some tasty comfort food. Enjoy!

(FYI: I divided the recipe below between two baking dishes.)

Shepherds Pie Recipe

Shepherd's Pie Recipe (or is it Cowboy's Pie?)

Shepherd's Pie Recipe (or is it Cowboy's Pie?)

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Nothing says Irish comfort food like Shepherd's Pie, a hearty, savory pie topped with mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

For the potatoes:

  • 2 pounds red skinned (or russet) potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (or 1/2 and 1/2)
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 egg yolk, beaten

For the meat filling:

  • 2 pounds ground beef (or ground lamb if you wanna be really Irish about it all)
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 medium-large onion, chopped (about 1 1/4 cup)
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 gloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons tomato paste
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 3/4 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen English peas

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400-degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You'll need one 11x7-inch baking dish or approximate.
  2. Place diced potatoes in medium saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Decrease to a simmer and cook until tender. About 10-15 minutes.
  3. Drain the potatoes and return to the saucepan. Add cream (or 1/2 and 1/2), butter, salt and pepper. Cover with lid to let butter melt. Once butter has melted mash potatoes until smooth. Stir until combined. Add in beaten egg yolk and stir again until combined. Cover and set aside until ready to use.
  4. While potatoes are cooking, brown hamburger meat in large skillet or sauté pan, drain, and remove from pan.
  5. Add the canola oil to the skillet/saute pan and heat over medium high until it shimmers. Add the onion, and carrots and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
  6. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
  7. Next, add the browned beef, salt and pepper. Combine well and cook for about 3 minutes over medium.
  8. Sprinkle the meat mixture with flour and toss to coat. Cook for another minute.
  9. Stir in the tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire, rosemary, and thyme into the meat mixture. Combine well, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, until the sauce slightly thickens.
  10. Finally, add the corn and peas to the meat mixture, and mix together.
  11. Transfer beef mixture to an 11x7-inch baking dish (or approximates). Smooth mashed potatoes across top, taking care to cover the whole top all the way to the edges. It helps to use a rubber spatula to create a seal. This prevents the mixture from bubbling out too much.
  12. Place baking dish on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake on the middle rack of 400-degrees F oven for about 25 minutes, or until the potatoes just begin to brown.
  13. Cool a wee bit before serving. Enjoy!

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