Shepherd’s pie is a classic British dish that tends to divide people. You either like it, or you don’t. It’s named as such because it uses lamb meat, but a common variation is Cottage Pie, using beef. Some enjoy the dish due to the texture and fusion of different flavors, while others find it a bit too much.
When judging the dish, you shouldn’t base your opinion on store-bought shepherd’s pie. Instead, make one yourself so you can get a clear idea of how you feel about it. Here is how to do it.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds of ground beef (or lamb)
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 cups mixed veggies (carrots and peas)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium heat until browned.
- Mince the onion and garlic and add them to the pan. Sauté for several minutes until they become tender.
- Mix in the tomato paste, ground beef, onions, and garlic, and stir until everything is well combined.
- Add mixed veggies, broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Optionally, you can add other spices and herbs like rosemary and thyme.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer for around five minutes until the veggies are cooked and the liquid is slightly reduced.
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Place the meat and veggies mixture in a baking dish and spread mashed potatoes on top.
- Bake between 20 and 25 minutes. You want the top layer to become golden brown.
- Let Sheppard’s pie cool off, get yourself a slice, and dig in.
