Old Fashioned Shepherd's Pie Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

  • add review
  • #31701

This classic recipe is always a favorite because it is a great way to use up leftover vegetables (and even leftover gravy and mashed potatoes).

Old Fashioned Shepherd's Pie Recipe | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

1-2 hrs

3 reviews
1 comment


ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 cup beef gravy
2 cups corn (canned or frozen), peas or mixed vegetables
3 cups prepared, seasoned mashed potatoes
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut in small bits
paprika to taste

directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

In a deep, oven-proof skillet, brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is cooked. Drain off any excess grease.

Add the salt, pepper, thyme, and gravy to the skillet and mix well.

Spread the corn over the beef mixture. Spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the corn. Use a fork to form a decorative pattern in the mashed potatoes, if desired.

Dot the top of the mashed potatoes with the butter and sprinkle with paprika.

Place the shepherd's pie in the oven and bake at 300 degrees F for 1 hour or until the potatoes are browned.

Remove the skillet from the oven. Serve the shepherd's pie hot.

added by

rec.food.recipes Lise Peter lpeter

recipe tips


For a more flavorful base, try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or tomato paste to the beef mixture.

If the mashed potatoes seem too thick to spread easily, mix in a little milk or beef broth to make them more pliable.

For a crispy top, broil the pie for the last few minutes of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.

To lighten up the dish, you can use lean ground beef or lamb and low-fat dairy options for the mashed potatoes.

Try different herbs like rosemary or sage in place of the thyme.

common recipe questions


Can I use lamb instead of beef for this recipe?

Yes, using ground lamb instead of beef would actually make this dish a traditional Shepherd's Pie, as the original version is made with lamb. If you use beef, it's often referred to as Cottage Pie. The preparation method remains the same, just substitute the ground beef with an equal amount of ground lamb.

Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version of Shepherd's Pie, substitute the ground beef with a plant-based ground meat alternative or use a mixture of hearty vegetables like mushrooms, lentils, carrots, and celery. Adjust the seasoning as needed, and use vegetable gravy instead of beef gravy to keep the dish vegetarian.

How can I make the mashed potatoes creamier?

For creamier mashed potatoes, add extra butter or cream when preparing them. You could also mix in a bit of sour cream or cream cheese for added richness. Make sure the mashed potatoes are well-seasoned before spreading them on top of the pie.

Can I add cheese to this recipe?

Adding cheese to the mashed potatoes can provide additional flavor and a nice golden crust. Stir in some grated cheddar, Parmesan, or your favorite cheese into the mashed potatoes before spreading them over the pie. You can also sprinkle some extra cheese on top for a cheesy crust.

What other vegetables can I add?

You can incorporate other vegetables such as diced carrots, celery, or bell peppers into the ground meat mixture. You can also add leafy greens like spinach or kale. Just cook them with the meat and onions to make sure they're tender.

Can I prepare the Shepherd's Pie in advance?

Yes, Shepherd's Pie is a great make-ahead dish. Assemble the pie up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if starting from cold.

How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or in the oven at 350 degrees F until heated through. Cover with foil if reheating in the oven to prevent the mashed potatoes from drying out.


nutrition data

375 calories, 20 grams fat, 32 grams carbohydrates, 17 grams protein per serving.



more recipes like old fashioned shepherd's pie

IRISH ROVER'S UNICORN PUB SHEPHERD'S PIE

SHEPHERD'S CHEDDAR PIE

BLUE RIBBON TOMATO AND GREEN BEAN SHEPHERD'S PIE

CREAM SOUP SHEPHERD'S PIE

IRISH-AMERICAN SHEPHERD'S PIE

TEXAS SHEPHERD'S PIE WITH BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES


reviews & comments

  1. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    February 5, 2020

    great recipe but i leave the corn out/ instead i chopp up 4 or 5 nice big kosher dill pickles/mix them into the fried ground beef and mashed potatoes/plus the spices. but in casserole than cover the top with lightly fried onion rings/ bake in oven for 15 minutes on low,/ serve and GUTEN APPETIT !

  2. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    March 16, 2018

    This is the best recipe I have ever made. My four kids ask for it all the time!

  3. CherishTheseDays REVIEW:
    August 31, 2011

    We make this recipe a few times every summer -- when it's sweet corn season! I've made it a couple of times with a can of corn like it calls for, but we like it a lot better with fresh sweet corn! Sometimes it's leftover corn that I cut off the cob for this recipe; sometimes I just cut the uncooked corn off the cob directly into the casserole dish. This recipe is great and allows for "wiggle room". Sometimes I only use a pound (or pound and a half) of hamburger instead of two. Sometimes I use instant potatoes instead of "real" mashed potatoes. Sometimes I forget the onion. I usually use Velveeta instead of American cheese. And our preferred topping of choice for casseroles is dry chicken StoveTop stuffing mixed with melted butter.A wonderful recipe that you can't mess up!

  4. Guest Foodie April 11, 2006

    In the UK this is called a Cottage pie (being made with beef) Shepherds pie is made with Minced lamb (hence the Shepherd!!) but tasty which ever way you make it.

');

Old Fashioned Shepherd's Pie Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

How is shepherd's pie originally made? ›

And, by doing so, the humble shepherd's pie was born. Originally, the dish contained a pastry shell at the bottom, top, or both. Over time, this morphed into potato slices at the bottom and top of savory minced lamb meat, until it eventually became a topping of mashed potatoes.

How do you thicken shepherd's pie? ›

The easiest way to thicken shepherd's pie filling is by sprinkling a few tablespoons of flour into the ground beef mixture as it cooks before adding it to the baking dish. The starch in the flour will absorb the extra liquid and create a thick gravy.

How do you keep shepherd's pie from falling apart? ›

How do you keep shepherds pie from falling apart? The eggs in the mashed potatoes help keep the pie together. You should also make sure to spread the potatoes and press down a bit.

How do you keep mash from sinking in shepherds pie? ›

To stop the mash sinking into the filling, allow the meat to cool before topping with the mashed potato. Freeze in individual ovenproof dishes for an easy meal for one.

What is shepherd's pie normally made of? ›

It's traditionally made with minced meat (usually ground lamb), gravy, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. You may also hear it called "cottage pie." The two terms are used interchangeably, but technically traditional shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb and traditional cottage pie is made with ground beef.

Why is flour used in shepherds pie? ›

This shepherd's pie recipe uses 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the gravy but if you feel like the meat mixture is too watery, add in another tablespoon and stir to combine. You may also try simmering the mince mixture for longer so that the stock reduces down and thickens.

Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? ›

Classic shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb, gravy, mashed potatoes, and veggies like peas, corn, celery, and carrots. Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? Avoid a soggy pie by simmering the meat mixture for at least 8 minutes. Be sure to cook down the mixture to remove excess moisture.

Why is my shepherds pie runny? ›

Why is my Shepherd's Pie soupy? If your casserole is too runny, chances are you either didn't add enough flour to thicken the gravy or you didn't simmer it long enough to reduce the liquid. Also, make sure your potatoes are thoroughly drained before making the mashed potatoes, so the topping is not too sloppy.

What is the best thickener for pie filling? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency. Tapioca starch is preferable for products that will be frozen because it will not break down when thawed. We like tapioca in blueberry, cherry or peach pies.

Why does my potato sink in shepherds pie? ›

Residual moisture from the potatoes will drip into the beef below as it cooks, and too much of it will cause the potatoes to eventually sink. Aside from ridding your potatoes of excess moisture before you mash them, it also helps to cool the beef down, BBC Good Food shares.

Should I put shepherds pie in the fridge? ›

Freshly baked shepherd's pie will keep for about 3 to 5 days in the fridge refrigerate covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It's generally recommended that cooked produce, if cooled quickly enough, will last 3 days safely when stored at or below 5°C. Anything over that and you risk food poisoning.

How do you fix salty shepherd's pie? ›

Just Add Acid. Use an acidic ingredient, like vinegar, lemon juice, lime juice, or fresh tomatoes or unsalted tomato sauce, to cut the saltiness of soups, sauces, meat dishes, pastas, salads, and more. A splash should be all it takes to dial back the taste of saltiness.

What to do if mashed potatoes are too moist? ›

You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.

How do you get moisture out of mashed potatoes? ›

Transfer the potatoes to a shallow container and place them in a 325°F oven to dry out for 10 to 15 minutes. This works better than trying to cook out the excess moisture on top of the stove in a saucepan that will need to be stirred to keep the potatoes from scorching on the bottom.

What is the origin of pie? ›

The Ancient Egyptians were the first to invent a dish close to what we know as a pie today. They had a honey filling covered in a crusty cake made from oats, wheat, rye or barley. A recipe for chicken pie was also discovered on a tablet carved prior to 2000 BC.

How did meat pies originate? ›

The origins of the meat pie have been traced back to the Neolithic period, around 6000 BC. Versions of what are now known as pies were featured on ancient Egyptian tomb walls, and in ancient Greek and Roman texts.

How did cottage pie originate? ›

The name "cottage pie" was first used at the end of the 18th century. It was around that time that the poorer people of Britain, people who lived in cottages in the country, started using potatoes as an everyday food. Originally, a pie made with any kind of meat and a potato topping was called a "cottage pie".

Why do they call it shepherds pie? ›

Shepherd's pie was attributed to a similar Scottish dish that used lamb or mutton rather than beef. Shepherd's herded sheep, hence the name. The textured, mash potato topping also resembles the woolly fleece of a sheep.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Margart Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 6108

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Margart Wisoky

Birthday: 1993-05-13

Address: 2113 Abernathy Knoll, New Tamerafurt, CT 66893-2169

Phone: +25815234346805

Job: Central Developer

Hobby: Machining, Pottery, Rafting, Cosplaying, Jogging, Taekwondo, Scouting

Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.