Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Classic English Comfort Food American Style

Oct 30, 2009
V. Wayne Hughes

Shepherd's Pie Meat Layer - V. Wayne Hughes

A classic English comfort food made with mashed potatoes, vegetables and meat meets the American melting pot.

Fall and winter is a great time to indulge in comfort foods. Recipes that warm both the body and the mind can bring smiles when the weather is cold, wet and windy.

Classic English Shepherd's Pie

According the BBC recipe site the classic shepherd's pie is made with a meat mixture of minced lamb, onion, thyme, bay leaf, stock, tinned tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. It is topped with potatoes mashed with milk, egg yolk and butter.

This is named a classic recipe for a reason. The ingredients combine to make layers that result in a delicious, warming and filling meal.

American style shepherd's pie isn't better than the original, just different from it.

Shepherd's Pie American Style Ingredients

For the meat layer:

1 Pound Ground or Chopped Meat
Half a Large Onion, Rough Chopped
1 Stalk of Celery, Diced
2 Cloves of Garlic, Finely Diced
1 Medium Pepper, Red, Green or Yellow, Rough Chopped

For the vegetable layer:

Leftover or frozen vegetables of choice. Peas, corn, carrots, green beans, broccoli all work well in this recipe and don't be scared to be creative.

For the potato layer:

5 Large Potatoes
1/2 Cup Milk or Cream
1/2 Stick of Butter or Margarine
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Shepherd's Pie American Style Recipe

Begin by browning the meat. Ground or chopped chicken, turkey, beef, lamb or pork work well in this recipe. When the meat is nearly done drain it well and add the onion, celery, garlic and pepper to the mix and cook until the meat is finished cooking. Drain again if needed. Spread evenly in the bottom of a 9 x 13" casserole.
Cover the meat mixture with the vegetable of choice. Frozen vegetables do not need to be thawed before putting on.
Cut up the potatoes with the skin left on if preferred. Boil them until soft and drain well. Mash them with the milk or cream, butter or margarine, and salt and pepper to taste. This is another chance to be creative. Add shredded cheese; cheddar if the meat is beef, mozzarella if pork, and swiss if the meat is chicken.
Spread the creamy potato mixture on top of the vegetables.
Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 30 minutes or until the potatoes get brown and crusty on top. Remove when done and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

This gives time to make gravy.

Adding Gravy

Gravy is a must for a good shepherd's pie. Use a gravy that fits the meat in the dish, though mushroom gravy will work no matter the meat. It can be homemade or instant from a package.