American Classics Free recipe

Shepherd's Pie

Few comfort-food dishes are as reliable as Shepherd's Pie: savory ground lamb and vegetables under a fluffy mashed-potato crust. A gentle simmer -- not a hard boil -- is what keeps everything tender instead of tough.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Additional: 10 min Total: 70 min

70Minutes

6Servings

4.9Rating

MediumLevel

Why you'll love this recipe

The components can be made ahead and reheated without losing quality.
Scales up easily for a crowd -- just multiply the ingredients.
Leftovers hold up well for lunch the next day.

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup milk
1.5 lbs ground lamb (or beef)
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 cup frozen peas
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

520Calories

29gFat

32gCarbs

33gProtein

Estimated from the ingredients above; actual values vary by brand and exact measurements.

Method

Step 1
Boil the potatoes in salted water 15 minutes until fork-tender. Drain, then mash with the butter, milk, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Set aside.
Step 2
Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large oven-safe skillet, cook the lamb over medium-high until browned, about 7 minutes. Spoon off excess fat.
Step 3
Add the onion and carrots and cook 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste for 1 minute.
Step 4
Pour in the Worcestershire and broth, add the peas, salt, and pepper, and simmer 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 5
Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat, then drag a fork over the top to make ridges (they crisp up nicely).
Step 6
Bake 25 minutes until the top is golden and the filling bubbles at the edges. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

Cook's tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving -- salt levels vary a lot between brands of broth, sauce, and canned goods.
Prep all the ingredients before you start cooking; this one moves quickly once it is on the heat.

Keep cooking