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Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Shepherd's Pie Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 24 reviews

Classic Shepherd’s Pie featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked to golden perfection. This comforting dish combines hearty flavors with a crispy parmesan crust, perfect for a family dinner or cozy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetable Filling

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 white onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery sticks, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1 and 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup corn
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Mashed Potato Topping

  • 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, divided
  • Fresh parsley, for topping

Instructions

  1. Prepare Vegetables and Potatoes: Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into small even pieces. Mince garlic finely. Peel and cut potatoes into medium chunks for boiling.
  2. Boil Water: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil, preparing to cook the potatoes.
  3. Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: Heat a large pan over medium heat, add ground beef and cook until fully browned with no pink remaining. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery, cooking for an additional 5-7 minutes until softened.
  4. Add Garlic and Tomato Paste: Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Deglaze with Red Wine: Pour in red wine to deglaze the pan, simmering for 1-2 minutes to reduce the alcohol content.
  6. Add Broth and Seasonings: Incorporate beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes to meld flavors.
  7. Cook Potatoes: While the meat simmers, cook potatoes in boiling salted water until fork tender, about 15-20 minutes.
  8. Add Peas and Corn: Stir frozen peas and corn into the meat mixture. Taste and season with salt and pepper as preferred. Remove from heat.
  9. Preheat Oven: Set oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
  10. Mash Potatoes: Drain cooked potatoes and pass them through a potato ricer or mash thoroughly. Mix in heavy cream, butter, and half of the parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
  11. Assemble Pie: In a baking dish, spread the meat mixture evenly on the bottom. Layer the mashed potatoes on top, pressing them to the sides to create a seal and prevent bubbling during baking.
  12. Decorate and Top: Use a fork to make pattern lines on the mashed potatoes and sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese on top for a golden crust.
  13. Bake: Place the assembled dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
  14. Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, top with fresh parsley for color and flavor, and serve warm.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth if available.
  • Red wine can be substituted with additional beef broth if preferred.
  • Using a potato ricer yields a smoother mashed potato topping.
  • Seal the edges of the mashed potatoes to avoid bubbling during baking.
  • Leftovers can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
  • For a lighter version, swap heavy cream and butter with low-fat milk and olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: Shepherd's Pie, Ground Beef Recipe, Comfort Food, Mashed Potato Topping, British Cuisine, Easy Dinner

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/shepherds-pie-recipe/