Best 6 The Best Shepherds Pie Recipes

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**Shepherd's Pie: A Classic Comfort Food Dish with Variations for Every Taste**

Shepherd's pie is a classic comfort food dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is typically made with ground lamb or beef, vegetables, and a mashed potato topping. However, there are many variations on this classic dish, using different types of meat, vegetables, and even different types of mashed potatoes. This article provides recipes for three delicious shepherd's pies: a traditional shepherd's pie made with ground lamb, a vegetarian shepherd's pie made with lentils, and a sweet potato shepherd's pie made with ground turkey.

The traditional shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb, vegetables, and a mashed potato topping. The lamb is browned in a pan with onions, carrots, and celery. Then, it is simmered in a gravy made with red wine, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. The mashed potato topping is made with mashed potatoes, butter, milk, and salt and pepper.

The vegetarian shepherd's pie is made with lentils, vegetables, and a mashed potato topping. The lentils are cooked in a broth made with vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and spices. Then, they are simmered with vegetables such as carrots, celery, and peas. The mashed potato topping is the same as the one used in the traditional shepherd's pie.

The sweet potato shepherd's pie is made with ground turkey, vegetables, and a sweet potato topping. The ground turkey is browned in a pan with onions, carrots, and celery. Then, it is simmered in a gravy made with chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and spices. The sweet potato topping is made with mashed sweet potatoes, butter, milk, and salt and pepper.

All three of these shepherd's pie recipes are delicious and easy to make. They are perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

SHEPHERD'S PIE



Shepherd's Pie image

When you're in the mood for a meaty, savory comfort-food classic, serve Alton Brown's Shepherd's Pie from Good Eats on Food Network.

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes
1/4 cup half-and-half
2 ounces unsalted butter
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 carrots, peeled and diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup fresh or frozen English peas

Steps:

  • Peel the potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch dice. Place in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Set over high heat, cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, uncover, decrease the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until tender and easily crushed with tongs, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Place the half-and-half and butter into a microwave-safe container and heat in the microwave until warmed through, about 35 seconds. Drain the potatoes in a colander and then return to the saucepan. Mash the potatoes and then add the half and half, butter, salt and pepper and continue to mash until smooth. Stir in the yolk until well combined.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the filling. Place the canola oil into a 12-inch saute pan and set over medium high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onion and carrots and saute just until they begin to take on color, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir to combine. Add the lamb, salt and pepper and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 3 minutes. Sprinkle the meat with the flour and toss to coat, continuing to cook for another minute. Add the tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire, rosemary, thyme, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer slowly 10 to 12 minutes or until the sauce is thickened slightly.
  • Add the corn and peas to the lamb mixture and spread evenly into an 11 by 7-inch glass baking dish. Top with the mashed potatoes, starting around the edges to create a seal to prevent the mixture from bubbling up and smooth with a rubber spatula. Place on a parchment lined half sheet pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 25 minutes or just until the potatoes begin to brown. Remove to a cooling rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.

BEST SHEPHERD'S PIE



Best Shepherd's Pie image

This is the best shepherds pie recipe I've ever had, and it comes from a friend who was a whiz at pinching pennies without sacrificing hearty flavor.-Valerie Merrill, Topeka, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2-1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cooked
1 cup sour cream
Salt and pepper to taste
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can (16 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Chopped fresh parsley, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mash potatoes with sour cream. Add salt and pepper; set aside. In a large skillet, cook beef with onion and red pepper until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender; drain. Stir garlic salt into meat mixture. Stir in the soup, corn and milk. , Spread meat mixture into a 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes; drizzle with butter. , Bake, uncovered, until heated through, 30-35 minutes. For additional browning, place under broiler for a few minutes. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 378 calories, Fat 17g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 69mg cholesterol, Sodium 626mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 21g protein.

BEST CLASSIC SHEPHERD'S PIE RECIPE



Best Classic Shepherd's Pie Recipe image

The Best Classic Shepherd's Pie - AKA Shepards Pie or Cottage Pie. Ground Beef (or lamb) with vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes and baked.

Provided by Amanda Finks

Categories     Dinner     Entree     Main Course

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 22

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 lb. 90% lean ground beef (-or ground lamb)
2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves
1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves (-minced)
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
1 cup frozen mixed peas & carrots*
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
1 1/2 - 2 lb. russet potatoes (-about 2 large potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (-1 stick)
1/3 cup half & half
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Add the oil to a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the onions. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the ground beef (or ground lamb) to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and and pepper. Stir well. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the meat is browned, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the flour and tomato paste. Stir until well incorporated and no clumps of tomato paste remain.
  • Add the broth, frozen peas and carrots, and frozen corn. Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Set the meat mixture aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Place the potatoes in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are fork tender, 10-15 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes in a colander. Return the potatoes to the hot pot. Let the potatoes rest in the hot pot for 1 minute to evaporate any remaining liquid.
  • Add butter, half & half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes and stir until all the ingredients are mixed together.
  • Add the parmesan cheese to the potatoes. Stir until well combined.
  • Pour the meat mixture into a 9x9 (or 7x11) inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the meat. Carefully spread into an even layer.
  • If the baking dish looks very full, place it on a rimmed baking sheet so that the filling doesn't bubble over into your oven. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.** Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 /6th of the recipe, Calories 400 kcal, Carbohydrate 13 g, Protein 19 g, Fat 30 g, SaturatedFat 15 g, Cholesterol 97 mg, Sodium 751 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 2 g

WORLD'S BEST SHEPHERD'S PIE



World's Best Shepherd's Pie image

Baked in an oven-to-table casserole, this dish will be very hot when it comes out of the oven, so be sure to let it cool for several minutes before serving. From Family Fun Magazine.

Provided by looneytunesfan

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 50m

Yield 5-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 1/4 lbs ground beef
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup beef broth
1 cup diced canned tomatoes or 1 cup crushed tomatoes in puree
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper
6 cups peeled and chopped potatoes
2 teaspoons salt, plus salt to taste
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4-1/2 cup milk
1 -1 1/2 cup grated white cheddar cheese
paprika

Steps:

  • Cook the corn according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Start the potatoes for the topping. Put them in a large pot with enough water to cover them by a couple of inches. Add about 2 teaspoons of salt to the water. Bring the potatoes to a boil, uncovered, over high heat. Cook them for 10 to 13 minutes. Meanwhile, make the meat filling.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and celery in the butter, stirring often, for about 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Add the ground beef to the pan and break it up with a wooden spoon as it browns. Remove the skillet from the stove and, resting it on a heatproof surface so it won't feel so heavy, tilt the pan so that the excess fat runs to the side. Carefully spoon out the fat and discard it (this will make the dish leaner and healthier, as well as lighter tasting).
  • Put the skillet back on the burner and set the heat to medium low. Stir the garlic and flour into the beef mixture. Stir in the beef broth, then the canned tomatoes, then the herbs, reserved corn, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Gently simmer the mixture for several minutes, partially covered, then add salt (1/4 teaspoon, give or take a little) and pepper to taste. Transfer the mixture to a large buttered casserole. Set the oven to 400°, and while it heats, check to see if your boiling potatoes are done.
  • To test the potatoes, use a slotted spoon to transfer a cube from the water to a cutting board and allow it to cool for 30 seconds or so. If you can slice through the chunk easily with a butter knife, the potatoes are done.
  • Set a large colander in the sink and drain the potatoes in it (this job can generate a lot of steam, so it is best done by an adult or under adult supervision). Transfer the drained potatoes to a large mixing bowl and scatter the butter pieces over them. Spoon the sour cream here and there over the hot potatoes as well. Wait several minutes for the butter to melt and the sour cream to warm so the ingredients will be easier to blend, then partially mash the potatoes with a hand masher.
  • Switch to an electric mixer set at medium speed and continue to mash, adding enough milk to make medium-soft mashed potatoes. Don't make them too soft, however; you want them to have some body.
  • Salt the potatoes to taste and spoon them evenly over the filling. Sprinkle the cheese over the top, then sprinkle on some paprika (be sure to wash your hands right afterward so you don't accidentally rub any of the spice in your eyes). Bake the pie on the center oven rack for about 20 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Cool for several minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 795.8, Fat 45.7, SaturatedFat 24.2, Cholesterol 155.1, Sodium 1601.6, Carbohydrate 63.3, Fiber 7.4, Sugar 5.1, Protein 37.1

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

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.

TOP RATED SHEPHERD'S PIE



Top Rated Shepherd's Pie image

There are a number of shepherd's pie recipes out there and this recipe takes the best elements and creates, what I believe to be the World's Best...

Provided by MarkG

Categories     Meat

Time 1h30m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

6 medium potatoes
6 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1 (2 ounce) package onion soup mix
1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms
1 cup cut green beans
1 cup corn niblets
1 cup peas
1 cup carrot, diced
1 small onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups beef broth
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons ketchup
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Peel potatoes and slice into 1" cubes and add to medium sauce pan and cover with water. Bring to boil and simmer until soft.
  • In large skillet, add onions, garlic and 3 tbsp butter and saute until translucent.
  • Drain water from potatoes and add 3 tbsp butter, heavy cream, cheddar cheese and salt. Whip until smooth and creamy.
  • Add ground beef to onions and garlic and brown thoroughly.
  • Add flour and onion soup mix. Mix well and cook for 2 -3 minutes. Add broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, thyme and cayenne pepper and combine thoroughly.
  • Add vegetables and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Pour meat and vegetable mixture into casserole dish and top with mashed potato mixture. Place in oven. Cook for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ground lamb or beef for the best flavor.
  • Don't overcook the meat; it should be cooked through but still juicy.
  • Use a variety of vegetables for the filling, such as carrots, celery, onions, and peas.
  • Season the filling well with salt, pepper, and herbs.
  • Use a thick, creamy mashed potato topping for the best results.
  • Bake the shepherd's pie until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
  • Let the shepherd's pie cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Conclusion:

Shepherd's pie is a classic comfort food that is perfect for a cold night. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make the best shepherd's pie that will be enjoyed by everyone at the table.

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