Best Classic Shepherd's Pie

Ground Beef (or lamb) with vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with cheese, mashed potatoes, and baked.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Make the Meat Filling and Potatoes at the same time.

Step 2

Turn the broiler on to 500 ° F.

Step 3

Add the oil to a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the onions. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Add the ground beef (or ground lamb) to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and and pepper. Stir well. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the meat is browned, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.

Step 6

Add the flour and tomato paste. Stir until well incorporated and no clumps of tomato paste remain.

Step 7

Add the broth and bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 5 -10 minutes or until the gravy thickens a bit.

Step 8

Peel the potatoes, rinse them and cut them into 1- to 2-inch pieces. Add to a large pot and add enough water to cover all of the potatoes. Heavily salt the water. I use about 1/2 Tablespoon salt.

Step 9

Place pot on your stove and turn heat to high. Bring to a boil and boil for 5–10 minutes, until potatoes easily break apart with a fork or a butter knife. Turn off heat.

Step 10

Drain potatoes and return pot to the hot burner (that’s turned off). Leave the pot on the stove for at least 5 minutes, uncovered.

Step 11

Add butter and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula so the butter is evenly distributed. Mash the potatoes to desired consistency.

Step 12

Add sour cream and mix together. Add heavy cream or milk and mix together. Add more if you like creamier potatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 13

Pour the beef mixture into a 7×11 casserole dish and layer the vegetables on top of the meat mixture.

Step 14

Sprinkle with the shredded cheese.

Step 15

Top with the mashed potatoes, spreading evenly and covering all the meat and cheese.

Step 16

If the baking dish looks very full, place it on a rimmed baking sheet so that the filling doesn’t bubble over into your oven.

Step 17

Being that the meat is already cooked through, all that’s needed is to brown the potatoes. Carefully put your casserole dish under the broiler until the potatoes get a nice crust on top and turn golden brown. This could take up to 5-10 minutes.

Step 18

Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 19

If you can’t find frozen mixed peas and carrots, you could use 1/2 cup frozen peas and 1/2 cup frozen sliced carrots.