What is shepherd’s pie?
In England, the birthplace of this hearty dish, shepherd’s pie is most often made with a ground lamb filling. In the states, people use ground beef, which is what we call for here. Our “sauce” is super simple. We sauté veggies, beef, and thyme, add flour, then simmer the mixture in stock. It tastes amazing, but the best part of the dish is the FLUFFY MASHED POTATO TOPPING.
Do I need to make mashed potatoes?
If you have leftovers, this it the perfect opportunity to repurpose them. If you don’t, yes you need to make them. But it’s insanely easy, and our recipe is 🔥BOMB🔥. The secret: milk, sour cream, and melted butter.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the mashed potatoes as well as the filling ahead of time. But we recommend waiting to assemble and bake until right before you plan on serving it.
How can I make this healthier?
Substitute the mashed potato topping with a mashed cauliflower! Our Cauliflower Shepherd’s Pie is a top-rated fan favorite.
- Preheat oven to 400°. In a large pot, cover potatoes with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until totally soft, 16 to 18 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
- Use a potato masher to mash potatoes until smooth. Add melted butter, milk, and sour cream. Mash together until fully incorporated, then season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Make beef mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion, carrots, and garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant and softened, 5 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, 5 minutes more. Drain fat.
- Stir in frozen peas and corn and cook until warmed through, 3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle meat with flour and stir to evenly distribute. Cook one minute more and add chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and let mixture thicken slightly, 5 minutes.
- Top beef mixture with an even layer of mashed potatoes and bake until there is very little liquid visible and mashed potatoes are golden, about 20 minutes. Broil if desired.
- Garnish with parsley before serving.
This content was originally published here.