Shepherds Pie

Easy Shepherd’s Pie is the perfect week-night dinner! Loaded with meat and veggies and topped with potatoes and cheese, this warm dish is the ultimate comfort food.

Ingredients:

For the Mashed Potatoes:

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons butter
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Meat Filling:

• 1 lb (450g) ground lamb or beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

For the Mashed Potatoes:

1. Place the diced potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender.
2. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
3. Add milk and butter to the potatoes. Mash until smooth and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.

For the Meat Filling:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground lamb or beef over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add chopped onions and diced carrots to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
4. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
5. Stir in tomato paste, flour, and dried thyme. Cook for a couple of minutes to remove the raw taste of the flour.
6. Pour in the beef or vegetable broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
7. Add frozen peas and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer for a few more minutes until the peas are heated through.

Assembling the Shepherd's Pie:

1. Transfer the meat filling to a baking dish, spreading it evenly.
2. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the meat mixture, spreading them to cover the filling completely.
3. Use a fork to create a decorative pattern on the surface of the mashed potatoes.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
5. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.