Easy Shepherd’s Pie
Class Guide
Estimated Run Time: 2 hours
Short Version
Want to know how to make homemade Shepherd's Pie? This recipe is quick and easy for a weeknight dinner. You'll be making the fluffiest homemade mashed potatoes to top it with. That's the key!!
Equipment List:
Apron
Kitchen Towels
Chef Knife
Cutting Board
Serving Spoon
Rubber Spatula
Mixing Bowl
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Heavy Bottomed Skillet
Large Pot
Ricer, for potatoes (optional)
Ramekin or mixing bowl for the cornstarch slurry.
Ceramic, glass or Pyrex casserole dish.
Piping bag (optional)
Star Tip (optional)
Recipes
Easy Shepard's Pie
Yield: 8
Prep time: 30 HourCook time: 1 HourInactive time: 25 MinTotal time: 31 H & 25 M
Ingredients
Lamb and Vegetables
Herb Mashed Potato Topping
Instructions
To prepare the filling...
- Heat a large heavy bottomed skillet on medium high heat.
- Break up the lamb in the pan and brown until fully cooked.
- Add onion and sauté in the rendered lamb fat.
- Add the tomato paste to the pan. Combine thoroughly with the lamb and onion. Cook the tomato paste, stirring constantly, in the pan until a layer of caramelized fond develops on the bottom. The tomato paste should deepen in color significantly.
- Turn down the heat and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute, without burning the tomato paste.
- Pour in the beef stock and scrape up the fond using a spatula.
- Add the vegetable medley, turn up the heat and bring the mixture to a light simmer.
- In a small bowl or ramekin, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Once lamb mixture is simmering add the slurry and stir well to combine. The sauce will begin to thicken.
- Add the rosemary, thyme leaves and rubbed sage. Cover the pan with a lid and turn the heat to low. Allow it to simmer covered for 15 mins.
- Preheat the broiler to 500°F and position a rack in the middle of the oven.
- Pour the lamb and vegetable mix into a casserole pan. Pipe the herbed mashed potatoes in a 1-2" thick layer across the top of the lab mixture, covering it completely.
- Spray the top of the potato layer lightly with cooking spray.
- Place the casserole in the oven and broil until the top is well browned. This should take 12-18 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let it rest for 10 mins before serving.
To prepare the mash...
- Place the peeled and cut potatoes in a large pot. Cover them with cool water by 3 inches.
- Add 3 Tbsp. of salt to the water and bring the potatoes to a boil. Cook for 15 minutes and then begin testing for doneness at 5 minutes intervals. The potatoes are done when they can be easily smashed with a fork.
- Bring the milk and butter to a bare simmer. Just enough to melt the butte, then turn off the heat.
- Once the potatoes are cooked drain them in the sink using a strainer.
- Using a ricer, mash the potatoes into a bowl.
- Combine the riced potatoes with the milk, butter, and chives. Season with salt and white pepper, mix completely.
- Transfer the potatoes to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Reserve until ready to top your lamb mixture in the casserole dish. You can also hold the potatoes in a bowl and spread them in a thick layer on top of them lamb with a spatula.
Notes
If you can't find ground lamb or are simply not a fan, then feel free to sub out ground beef. This would technically be called a "Cottage Pie."
Nutrition Facts
Calories
569Fat
36Sat. Fat
16Carbs
28Fiber
4Net carbs
24Sugar
8Protein
34Sodium
908Cholesterol
135