Discover the heartwarming comfort of this Shepherd’s Pie, a traditional dish that perfectly marries the rich flavors of seasoned ground meat with a smooth, cheesy potato topping. This dish offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes, making it an ideal meal for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Why You’ll Love This:
- Rich and Hearty Filling: The combination of ground beef or lamb with a medley of vegetables creates a savory and satisfying base.
- Creamy Potato Topping: The mashed potato layer, enhanced with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, adds a creamy, cheesy touch to the dish.
- Comfort Food Perfection: This classic recipe is a quintessential comfort food, perfect for warming up on chilly evenings.
Ingredients:
For the Meat Filling:
- Olive oil: 2-3 tbsp
- Ground beef/lamb: 1 lb
- Yellow onion (chopped): 1 medium
- Carrot (diced): 1 large
- Celery (chopped): 1 rib
- Garlic (minced): 2 cloves
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
- Worcestershire sauce: 2 tbsp
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp parsley, thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
- Beef broth: 1 1/2 cup
- Frozen peas: 1 cup
For the Mashed Potato:
- Potatoes: 5 medium
- Butter: 4 tbsp
- Mozzarella cheese: 1 cup
- Parmesan cheese: 1/4 cup + extra for topping
- Milk: 1/2 cup
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper
Instructions:
- Meat Filling: In a pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Brown the ground meat for 4-5 minutes, breaking it apart. Add onions, cooking for 2-3 minutes. Add carrots, celery, garlic, and tomato paste, sautéing for 4-5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, and thyme. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and beef broth, simmering covered for 4-5 minutes. Add peas, cook until tender, then set aside.
- Prepare Potatoes: Boil potatoes until tender. Mash them with butter, milk, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread meat filling in a 9×9 inch baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes, smoothing evenly. Sprinkle additional Parmesan on top.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Let rest for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Enjoy this fulfilling and delicious Shepherd’s Pie, perfect for a cozy dinner!
