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Easy Peasy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

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4 from 15 reviews

This Easy Peasy Shepherd’s Pie is a comforting and classic British dish made with tender lamb mince, rich gravy, and creamy mashed potatoes baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines simple ingredients with straightforward steps to deliver a hearty, warming meal that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

Potatoes

  • 1 kg potatoes (peeled and chopped)
  • A small knob of butter
  • A splash of milk
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Lamb Filling

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 2 carrots (peeled, halved lengthways and chopped into 1cm chunks)
  • 500 g lamb mince
  • 1 beef or lamb stock cube
  • 2 tablespoons plain flour
  • 500 ml boiling water
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Pre-heat the oven to 220C / 200C fan / gas mark 7 / 425F. This prepares your oven to achieve the perfect bake for the shepherd’s pie topping.
  2. Cook Potatoes: Put the chopped potatoes into a saucepan and cover with enough boiling water. Bring the water back to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft. This step ensures the potatoes are tender enough to mash smoothly.
  3. Fry Vegetables: While potatoes cook, heat olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the diced onion and chopped carrots, frying gently for about 5 minutes until softened but not browned. This step builds flavor for the filling.
  4. Brown Lamb Mince: Increase the heat and add lamb mince to the pan. Break it up with a spatula and fry for another 5 minutes until the lamb is nicely browned all over, sealing in juices and enhancing taste.
  5. Make Gravy: Crumble the stock cube into a jug, add the plain flour, and mix with a small amount of cold water until smooth. Then stir in 500 ml boiling water gradually to make a smooth gravy. This gravy will thicken the filling beautifully.
  6. Simmer Filling: Pour the gravy into the pan with the lamb and vegetables, add some black pepper, and simmer gently on low heat for about 5 minutes. This melds all the flavors together and thickens the base.
  7. Mash Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes and mash them with butter, a splash of milk, salt, and pepper until creamy and smooth. This creamy mash forms the delicious topping layer.
  8. Assemble Pie: Transfer the lamb mixture to the bottom of an ovenproof dish, then evenly spread the mashed potatoes on top using a fork to create texture that will brown beautifully.
  9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the mash is nicely browned on top. This final step adds a lovely golden crust to the dish.
  10. Serve: Serve the shepherd’s pie hot with peas, sweetcorn, or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute lamb mince with beef mince if preferred.
  • For a richer mash, add grated cheese before baking.
  • Leftover shepherd’s pie keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheats easily.
  • To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and stock cubes.
  • Adding herbs like thyme or rosemary to the filling enhances the flavor profile.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/easy-peasy-shepherds-pie-recipe/