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Shepherd's Pie

Published: June 6, 2026 English Cuisine ⏱ 1h 5min
Golden shepherd's pie with creamy mashed potato topping and savory lamb filling

Shepherd's Pie is the heart of British home cooking — a warming casserole of savory lamb and vegetable filling beneath a cloud of creamy mashed potatoes, baked until golden and bubbling. It's humble, hearty, and deeply satisfying. Note: if made with beef, it's technically Cottage Pie!

Recipe Info

Prep Time25 min
Cook Time40 min
Total Time1h 5min
Servings6
DifficultyEasy
CuisineEnglish

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1 Ingredients

2 Instructions

1

Make the mashed potatoes

Boil potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes until tender. Drain and mash with milk, 2 tablespoons butter, and salt. Set aside.

2

Cook the lamb filling

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook ground lamb, breaking it up, until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.

3

Add vegetables and flavorings

Add onion, carrots, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes. Stir in flour, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, and thyme. Cook 1 minute.

4

Simmer the filling

Add beef broth, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes until thickened. Stir in frozen peas. Season with salt and pepper.

5

Assemble the pie

Spread the lamb filling in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes, spreading to the edges. Use a fork to create decorative ridges. Top with cheddar cheese and dot with remaining butter.

6

Bake

Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 25–30 minutes until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Pro Tips

  • Shepherd's Pie uses lamb; Cottage Pie uses beef. The distinction matters in Britain!
  • For extra crispy mashed potato tops, run it under the broiler for the last 2–3 minutes.
  • This freezes beautifully — assemble, freeze before baking, and bake from frozen at a lower temperature.

Nutrition Information

Calories 460 kcal
Protein 26g
Fat 22g
Saturated Fat g
Carbohydrates 38g
Fiber 5g
Sugar g
Sodium 580mg

* Nutritional values are approximate and based on per-serving calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shepherd's Pie is made with lamb (shepherd = sheep), while Cottage Pie is made with beef. Both are topped with mashed potatoes and otherwise similarly prepared.
Yes, assemble the pie completely and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Rating
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.7 (169 votes)
Stephanie Grine

About the Author

Stephanie Grine

Recipe Developer & Food Enthusiast

I am a passionate home cook who believes that great food brings people together. Every recipe on TodayFoodsMenu is developed, tested, and photographed in my home kitchen — not a professional test...

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