The Best Shepherd’s Pie you'll ever taste. Made with ground American Lamb vegetables in savory gravy, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes, and baked. It's basically impossible to go wrong with this combination.
This post is sponsored by American Lamb. The recipe and opinions are our own.
What is Shepherd's Pie?
Shepherd's Pie, sometimes spelled Shephard's Pie, is a Scottish dish that contained a mutton and diced potato filling inside a pastry crust. More recently it has been adapted with a topping of potatoes and cheese.
Shepherd's Pie vs Cottage Pie
Shepherds Pie and Cottage Pie are very similar dishes. The difference is Shepherd's Pie is made with Lamb whereas Cottage Pie is made with ground beef or ground turkey. If you love a pastry meat filled dish try our Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients For Shepherd's Pie
- 2 lbs ground American Lamb
- Carrots
- herbs for seasoning
- tomato paste
- Worcestershire sauce
- Mashed potatoes
- Cheddar Cheese
Why Choose American Lamb?
I purchase American Lamb not only to support our country's farmers, ranchers and local communities but the meat they provide is of high quality. American Lamb farmers and ranchers are committed to protect the environment and their animal's well-being. When you are purchasing your lamb for this recipe 100% go with American Lamb. For more information you can check out their beautiful website here. I can find American Lamb at most of my grocery stores, especially Kroger stores.
How To Make The Best Shepherd's Pie Recipe
- Start by sautéing your carrots and onion in a pan.
- Add your ground lamb and continue cooking.
- While your lamb is starting to brown add in your herbs and spices, tomato paste, garlic and worcestershire sauce.
- Stir together and continue to cook until lamb is cooked completely though.
Assembling Shepherd's Pie
Now that your meat filling is completed you will layer it in a baking dish. I recommend about an 9x9-9x13 size. You can also use an oval dish like above.
PRO TIP: If you have a braiser, cook your meat in that and then add your potatoes and cheese on top. It will reduce the amount of dishes!
5. Add your meat mixture to the bottom of the pan.
6. Layer on creamy mashed potatoes
7. Top with cheese!
8. Bake! I like to bake uncovered for the first 20 minutes, then remove foil for the remaining 10-15 minutes.
Baked Shepherd's Pie
STEP 8. Bake! I like to bake uncovered for the first 20 minutes, then remove foil for the remaining 10-15 minutes.
The foil keeps the cheese from getting over cooked and the mashed potatoes from drying out too much.
Shepherd's Pie Mashed Potatoes
I've included ingredients and steps for the mashed potatoes in the recipe card. You are also welcome to use:
- fresh homemade mashed potatoes
- precooked mashed potaotes- you can find this in the refrigerated section of pre-cooked meals/meat. It's a great time saver
- left over homemade mashed potatoes
- dehydrated mashed potatoes, prepare as instructed then add to top of lamb.
FAQ's about Shepherd's Pie
Yes! See the recipe card for specific instructions but you can sauté your vegetables and spices then combine with the meat. Layer with your cold ingredients and bake a little longer.
Shepherd's pie is a great meal prep meal, or great as leftovers! Simply Store in an air tight container in the fridge for 5-7 days.
You can make the whole recipe ahead of time. Assemble the casserole, cover the dish, and keep it in the fridge until you are ready to bake it. Bake it within 3 days of preparing it.
What Goes Best With Shepherd's Pie
Here are some great sides to serve with The Best Shepherd's Pie Recipe
- Fluffy easy Homemade Breadsticks
- A cooling refreshing Fruit Salad
- Melt in your mouth Chocolate Zucchini Cake
The Best Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes
- 1 Tbs salt
- 3 large potatoes quartered
- 2 Tbs butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ to ⅓ cup milk
Meat Filling
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- ½ cup carrot grated or diced
- 2 pound ground American Lamb
- 1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp salt
- 3 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cups of cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, bring water to a boil; stir in salt. Add potatoes and boil gently for about 15 to 20 minutes or until they are soft. Drain off water and add butter and salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes, adding enough milk to make a smooth mixture. Set aside.
- Preheat oven the 350 degrees. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the onion and stir-fry until tender. Stir in ground beef; then add carrot, parsley, garlic, and thyme. Cook until lamb is thoroughly browned, stirring frequently. Add Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste stir well. Spread the meat mixture evenly in the bottom of a deep pie dish.
- Top with mashed potatoes and cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes covered with Foil, remove foil and bake another 10 minutes. USDA recommends ground lamb reach an internal temp of 160F
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Robert says
Need to revise step 8. Cook covered and then remove the foil.
Very similar to a traditional recipe that I use - I imagine it would be wonderful.
Erin V says
never made shepherd's pie before but excited to venture !
Stephanie says
??