Potato Pie
- Very easy
- 1 h 35 min
Golden mashed potatoes and a hearty meat filling make Shepherd’s pie one of the most inviting, family-friendly comfort foods around. Imagining a bubbling casserole fresh out of the oven, with that soft, creamy mashed potato top (LOVE that first bite), it's easy to see why this classic Shepherd’s pie earns a spot on so many dinner tables. Layers of juicy meat and vegetables underneath that nice, fluffy layer mean every forkful is just packed with good texture and flavor—a favorite with kids and adults. Gatherings in cool weather feel a little more special with this dish, since everyone can dig into something satisfying, classic, and served hot. Rich ground lamb makes it traditional (DELICIOUS for celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day), while lots of families pick ground beef instead, keeping this meat and potatoes favorite flexible for whatever you have on hand. It just looks really good on the table—rustic, simple, and welcoming—especially when people want that home-cooked, fill-you-up feeling after a long day.
Home cooks reach for classic shepherd’s pie again and again because it always comes through—reliable crowd-pleaser, adaptable, and great for all those busy nights. Works well in meal plans (leftovers are a hit for lunch), and definitely holds its own with other ground beef recipes when you're after something warm and filling without any fuss. Fancy toppings or not, this dish goes a long way…serve it plain for weeknights or pair with green beans for a friend over—either way, it’s a great pick for both big gatherings and quiet evenings (nice for picky eaters too). Families like having mashed potatoes front and center, and the way all those savory flavors come together means it’s easy to see why people keep making it. Since Shepherd's pie works for so many occasions and always leaves everyone full—plus that classic look and rich taste—it's one of those reliable choices you’ll just keep coming back to, season after season.
To prepare the shepherd's pie, start by chopping the onion and cutting the celery and carrots into small cubes 1. Melt the butter in a pan and add the oil, onion, carrots, and celery, sauté for a few minutes 2. Then add the minced lamb and let it brown well, breaking it up with a wooden spoon 3.
Add the bay leaf and thyme leaves 4. Then incorporate the tomato paste, mix and add the Worcestershire sauce 5 and the broth 6. Bring to a boil and let it simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes, until you get the consistency of a thick sauce (similar to ragù).
Add the frozen peas 7, adjust with salt and pepper, and cook until the peas are tender. While the sauce cooks, prepare the mashed potatoes for the topping: cook the potatoes with the skin in salted water until they are tender (about 30 minutes). Peel them and pass them through a food mill while still warm 8. Add the warm milk, room temperature butter 9,
egg yolks 10, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and mix the ingredients well. At this point, place the meat and pea sauce in an ovenproof dish and level it with a spoon 11. Then put the mashed potatoes in a piping bag with a star nozzle and create potato dollops on top of the meat 12, forming a layer of potatoes. Bake the shepherd's pie for 30 minutes at 392°F (200°C). In the last 10 minutes, turn on the oven grill to create a golden crust on the potatoes. Remove the pie from the oven and let it rest for about ten minutes before serving!