Classic Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Shepherd's Pie is a classic comfort dish featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Perfect for family dinners, it's a hearty meal that everyone will love. The rich filling, made with ground beef, carrots, celery, onions, and peas, is cooked in a flavorful sauce thickened with cornstarch and seasoned with Worcestershire sauce and herbs. The creamy mashed potatoes, enhanced with butter, half and half, and Boursin cheese, provide a perfect contrast to the savory filling. Baked until golden and bubbling, this dish is a timeless favorite.

Shepherd's Pie is a classic comfort dish featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Perfect for family dinners, it's a hearty meal that everyone will love.

INGREDIENTS

• Vegetable Oil: 1 tablespoon, for sautéing the vegetables and meat.
• Carrots: 1 cup, peeled and diced. Adds sweetness and color to the filling.
• Celery: 1 cup, diced. Provides a subtle crunch and flavor.
• Onion: 1 ½ cups, diced. Essential for the savory base of the filling.
• Lean Ground Beef: 1 pound. The main protein component of the dish.
• Minced Garlic: 2 teaspoons, for added depth of flavor.
• Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon, used to thicken the sauce.
• Tomato Paste: ⅓ cup, adds richness and a slight tang.
• Worcestershire Sauce: 3 tablespoons, for umami and depth.
• Beef Broth: 1 ½ cups, provides moisture and enhances the beef flavor.
• Dried Thyme: ¼ teaspoon, for a subtle herbal note.
• Dried Oregano: ¼ teaspoon, adds a hint of earthiness.
• Dried Parsley: 1 teaspoon, for a touch of green and flavor.
• Salt: 1 teaspoon, to season the filling.
• Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon, for a bit of spice.
• Frozen Peas: 1 cup, added at the end for a pop of color and sweetness.
• Russet or Golden Potatoes: 2 pounds, peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces. These form the creamy mashed potato topping.
• Butter: 2 tablespoons, for the mashed potatoes.
• Half and Half: ½ cup, warmed, to make the potatoes creamy.
• Boursin Cheese: 5.2 ounces, garlic and fine herbs flavor, for an extra creamy and flavorful mashed potato topping.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste, for seasoning the mashed potatoes.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the oven is hot and ready for baking the assembled Shepherd's Pie.

Step 2:

Cook Vegetables: In a large, deep skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. This step helps to develop the flavors of the vegetables and soften them.

Step 3:

Cook Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet with the vegetables. Cook until the beef is thoroughly browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. This step ensures the beef is fully cooked and flavorful.

Step 4:

Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth and cornstarch. Add this mixture to the skillet along with the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried oregano, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Add the frozen peas and cook for 5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the peas are heated through. This step creates a rich, flavorful sauce for the filling.

Step 5:

Prepare Mashed Potatoes: Place the peeled and diced potatoes in a large pot and fill with cold water until the potatoes are covered. Add 2-3 large pinches of kosher salt to the water. Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a rolling boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 12-15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash well using a potato ricer or hand masher. Add the butter, warm half and half, and Boursin cheese. Mash until creamy. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. This step creates the creamy topping for the Shepherd's Pie.

Step 6:

Assemble Pie: Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the meat mixture in the skillet. This step ensures an even layer of creamy potatoes over the savory filling.

Step 7:

Bake: Bake the Shepherd's Pie uncovered in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the edges are bubbling and the top is slightly golden. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving. This step finishes the dish, melding the flavors and creating a delicious crust on the potatoes.

Serving and Storage Tips

• Serve hot, directly from the skillet, for a comforting and hearty meal.
• Pair with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness of the pie.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
• You can also freeze portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Helpful Notes

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with lentils or a meatless ground alternative.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like corn, green beans, or mushrooms to the filling for added variety.
• If you prefer a lighter topping, use mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes.
• Adjust the seasoning to your taste, adding more herbs or spices as desired.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

• Chef Gordon Ramsay recommends using high-quality beef broth for the best flavor.
• Chef Jamie Oliver suggests adding a splash of red wine to the beef mixture for an extra depth of flavor.
• Chef Nigella Lawson advises letting the pie rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the flavors to meld together.