Traditional Shepherds Pie

You'll love this traditional Shepherds Pie recipe, straight from the UK. Classic British comfort food, made a little bit different compared to the American version. However, once you make it like this, there's no going back!

You'll love this recipe because it's the traditional method of making Shepherds Pie. Are you surprized it's made with leftover roast meat? Although using ground lamb (not beef) is easy, leftover roast is even easier and you get two meals out of it!

Ingredients

• Leftover Roast Lamb or Leftover Roast Beef
• Butter
• Vegetables - Onion, Carrot, Celery, Green Beans, Garlic
• Fresh Rosemary Sprig
• Liquid Sauce Base - Worcestershire Sauce, Ketchup, Gravy
• Potato Topping - potatoes, butter and milk

What You'll Need

• Oven Proof Dish - 9"x13" or slightly smaller works great (9"x9")
• Frying Pan - for sautéing
• Potato Masher - to mash potatoes
• Spatula - for spreading and smoothing potatoes

How to Make Traditional Shepherds Pie

Shepherds Pie Filling

1. Sauté - place butter in pot and sauté Onions until golden brown. Add Carrots, Celery and Green Beans and cook until softened. 
2. Prepare Meat - chop leftover Roast Lamb or Roast Meat into bite size pieces. Prepare a thin Gravy or thicken Beef Broth with Cornflour.
3. Combine - add Meat and Garlic to sautéed vegetables and mix together until browned. 
4. Add Liquids - pour Gravy, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 tablespoon Ketchup and fresh Rosemary. Simmer for 20 minutes. Liquid should be mostly absorbed. If dry, add extra stock.

Potato Topping

• Cook Potatoes - peel and chop potatoes. Fill pot with water, bring to a boil until potatoes are fork tender (about 20 minutes). Drain and mash, adding butter, milk and a pinch of salt. Mashed Potatoes should be drier than traditional mash - as it is a topping not a side.

Making Shepherds Pie

1. Pre-Heat - set oven to 400°C (200°C).
2. Layer Pie - spread meat and vegetables into an oven proof dish. Using a spatula, evenly layer the potatoes over the meat, smoothing the top. Using a fork, rough the potato surface or make swirls. Dot with butter (or brush melted butter).
3. Bake - place in pre-heated oven for 25-30 minutes until top is golden brown. Serve immediately.

Meat Variations for Shepherds Pie

• Use Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb leftovers
• Try leftover Instant Pot Greek Lamb
• Ground Meat - choose minced Beef, Lamb, Chicken or Turkey
• Vegetarian - saute Mushrooms and Lentils
• Smoked Meat - use leftover Smoked Pulled Pork, Smoked Beef, Smoked Turkey or Smoked Chicken

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Make a Cottage Pie - this is the surprizing for many, but a Cottage Pie is made with Beef, and Shepherds Pie is made with Lamb - choose your own adventure!
• Creamier Mash - add extra milk and butter, or make creamy Garlic Mash for a flavor kick
• Root Vegetable Mash - substitute Potatoes with Sweet Potato Mash, Parsnips, Turnips or Swede, or try with Cauliflower Mash for a low carb version
• Make it Cheesy - mix grated cheese into your mashed potatoes, and sprinkle over pie
• Leftover Vegetables - add any leftover vegetables from last nights dinner, like broccoli, corn or carrots
• Add More Nutrients - toss fresh spinach leaves through the meat, or finely chopped Kale
• Extra Saucy - add an extra 1½ cups of thickened gravy to make it saucy, not runny and watery - it's a bit dry in the photos - plus you can use extra gravy when serving

Can I Use Ground Beef?

Yes, this is a common way to make Shepherds Pie (although technically a Cottage Pie). My advice, use minimum 1½ pounds - 2 pounds (750g - 1kg) of uncooked ground beef to have enough depth in the pan. More meat is always better!

Can I Freeze Shepherds Pie?

Absolutely! Sometimes I make 2 smaller pies and freeze one for another easy dinner. Build your pie, but don't bake it. Tightly wrap in cling wrap and then in foil. Enjoy within 3 months.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge - cover with cling wrap and keep refrigerated. Enjoy within 3 days.
• Reheating from Fridge - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Cover with foil to avoid drying out. Heat for 20-30 minutes until heated through and bubbling.
• Reheating from Frozen - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Cover with foil to avoid drying out. Heat for 60-70 minutes until heated through and bubbling. Uncover for last 10 minutes for crisp up.
• Reheating in Microwave - place single serve on a plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to help with the drying out. Microwave for 60 seconds, then in 30 second bursts until heated through.

Shepherds Pie Serving Suggestions

• Green Salads - salads are always popular. Serve with a Garden Salad or with a Broccoli Salad
• Brussel Sprouts - this version is drizzled with tasty Balsamic Glaze
• Garlic Asparagus - an easy Air Fryer version
• Glazed Carrots - a honey roasted version that's a show stopper
• Garlic Butter Green Beans - quick and easy, full of flavor and vitamins
• Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes - add a burst of juicy flavor
• Bbq Sauce - not traditional, but drizzle with Bbq Sauce when serving!

Traditional Shepherds Pie is the original method to make leftover pie. A classic British recipe that's evolved and enjoyed all over the world. However, there's something heartwarming about making the original, old fashioned version like Nan or Granny made. I love making this in advance, such a timesaver. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

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