Table of Contents
🥧Classic Shepherd’s Pie (Traditional)
🛒Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
👨🍳Method
1️⃣Make the Mash
2️⃣Cook the Filling
3️⃣Build the Sauce
4️⃣Assemble
5️⃣Bake
🍽️To Serve
❓Q & A – Shepherd’s Pie
Q: What’s the difference between shepherd’s pie and cottage pie?
Q: Can I make this ahead?
Q: Can I freeze shepherd’s pie?
Q: How do I get crispy mash on top?
Q: Can I add peas?
🥧 Classic Shepherd’s Pie (Traditional)
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Meat Filling
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
500g lamb mince
2 tbsp tomato purée
2 tbsp plain flour
500ml lamb or beef stock
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp fresh rosemary or thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
Salt & black pepper
Mashed Potato Topping
1kg floury potatoes (Maris Piper or King Edward)
50g butter
100ml warm milk
Salt & pepper
(Optional: 50g grated cheddar for topping)
👨🍳 Method
1️⃣ Make the Mash
Peel and chop potatoes
Boil in salted water for 15–20 minutes until tender
Drain well, mash with butter and milk
Season and set aside
2️⃣ Cook the Filling
Heat oil in a large pan
Fry onion and carrots for 5 minutes
Add garlic, cook 1 minute
Add lamb mince, brown well
3️⃣ Build the Sauce
Stir in tomato purée and flour
Cook 1 minute
Gradually add stock, stirring
Add Worcestershire sauce and herbs
Simmer 20 minutes until thick
4️⃣ Assemble
Spoon lamb mixture into an oven dish
Spread mash evenly on top
Rough up surface with a fork (for crispy peaks)
Sprinkle cheese if using
5️⃣ Bake
Bake at 200°C (180°C fan) for 25–30 minutes
Top should be golden and bubbling
🍽️ To Serve
Buttered peas or green beans
Steamed cabbage
Crusty bread
❓ Q & A – Shepherd’s Pie
Q: What’s the difference between shepherd’s pie and cottage pie?
A: Shepherd’s pie uses lamb. Cottage pie uses beef.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes. Assemble, cover, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then bake.
Q: Can I freeze shepherd’s pie?
A: Yes — freeze unbaked or baked for up to 2 months.
Q: How do I get crispy mash on top?
A: Fork ridges + a little cheese or butter on top helps browning.
Q: Can I add peas?
A: Absolutely — stir in 100g frozen peas in the last 5 minutes of simmering.
