Best 2 Darina Allens Shepherds Pie Recipes

Shepherd's pie, a quintessential British comfort food, is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines minced lamb, vegetables, and a creamy mashed potato topping. With its origins in the 18th century, shepherd's pie was traditionally made with leftover lamb, but today it is often made with fresh ground lamb or a combination of lamb and beef. This article features two delicious variations of shepherd's pie: Darina Allen's classic shepherd's pie and a lighter, healthier version with turkey and sweet potatoes. Both recipes offer step-by-step instructions, detailed ingredient lists, and cooking tips to ensure a perfect shepherd's pie every time. Whether you prefer the traditional lamb filling or a healthier alternative, these recipes provide all the necessary guidance to create a comforting and satisfying meal that is perfect for a family dinner or a cozy night in.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

THE BEST SHEPHERD'S PIE

The Best Shepherd's Pie image

We stuck with tradition and made our shepherd's pie with lamb, but you could easily swap in ground beef. The saucy filling is packed with tender vegetables and the creamy topping is inspired by the Irish potato dish, colcannon, and is filled with cabbage, leeks and cheese.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and quartered (about 4 medium potatoes)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced (about 6 ounces or 2 cups)
1 leek, white and light-green parts only, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded sharp white Cheddar (about 3 ounces)
3 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 stalk celery, sliced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 pounds ground lamb
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
For the topping: Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Season with 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and reserve the saucepan.
Meanwhile, make the filling: Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots, onion, celery, garlic, thyme and 2 teaspoons salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and tender, about 15 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook until it turns brick red, about 8 minutes. Add the lamb, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until the meat is no longer pink, about 7 minutes.
Stir in the peas. Stir in the flour until incorporated, about 1 minute. Add the broth and Worcestershire and cook until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes.
To finish the topping, melt the butter in the large saucepan over medium heat. Add the cabbage and leeks and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the heavy cream, 1 tablespoon salt, and a few grinds of black pepper, and cook until warm, about 1 minute. Return the potatoes to the pan with the cabbage and add the cheese. Mash with a potato masher or wooden spoon. Remove from the heat and stir in the egg yolks.
Transfer the filling to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add the topping, swirling to create texture. Make sure that the sides are sufficiently covered so the filling doesn't leak through. Bake until the filling is bubbly and the top is lightly golden, about 35 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before serving.

SHEPHERD'S PIE

Shepherd's Pie image

Make and share this Shepherd's Pie recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Chef Sean 2

Categories Lunch/Snacks

Time 50m

Yield 1 pie, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 lb minced cooked beef or 1 lb hamburger
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons flour
1 2/3 cups combined stock and thick gravy (approximately)
1 teaspoon tomato puree
1 teaspoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon thyme leaves (fresh preferably)
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 lb mashed potatoes
1 (8 ounce) can peas or 1 (8 ounce) can corn

Steps:

Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the onion. Cover with the butter wrapper and cook over low heat for 5 minutes until soft but not colored.
Add the flour and cook until browned. Add the stock, bring to a boil and skim. Add the tomato puree, chopped parsley, thyme leaves, salt and pepper and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the meat and peas/corn to the sauce and bring to a boil. Put in a pie dish, cover with the mashed potatoes and score the top with a fork. Reheat in a moderate oven (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 30 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve with Irish Bread.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 453.4, Fat 20.1, SaturatedFat 8.8, Cholesterol 78.3, Sodium 1603.5, Carbohydrate 39.6, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 4.6, Protein 27.6

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the shepherd's pie will be. Look for fresh, flavorful vegetables and meat, and use a good quality stock or broth.
Brown the meat well: Browning the meat adds flavor and helps to develop a rich gravy. Be sure to brown the meat in batches so that it doesn't steam and release its juices.
Use a variety of vegetables: The more vegetables you add to the shepherd's pie, the more nutritious and flavorful it will be. Some good choices include carrots, celery, onions, peas, and corn.
Season the filling well: Don't be afraid to season the filling generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other herbs and spices to taste, such as garlic, thyme, or rosemary.
Use a good quality mashed potato topping: The mashed potato topping is what really makes the shepherd's pie. Be sure to use a good quality mashed potato recipe that is creamy and flavorful.
Bake the shepherd's pie until golden brown: The shepherd's pie is done baking when the mashed potato topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.

Conclusion:

Darina Allen's shepherd's pie is a classic dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. It's a hearty, flavorful meal that is perfect for a cold night. With its creamy mashed potato topping and rich, savory filling, this shepherd's pie is sure to become a family favorite.