Hearty and filling in all the best ways, this traditional dish will make your day.
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There are a lot of dishes that are perfect for cold days, they are hearty, filling, and rich with flavor. When the temperature starts to drop and the days get shorter you realize why traditional dishes have stood the test of time, they were made by people who needed to not only sustain themselves but had to survive harsh elements.
About a decade ago I took a trip to Ireland, while I was there I realized that hearty dishes are the go-to of Ireland, one of those dishes that I fell in love with was Shepherd’s Pie, it has everything you need to fill your stomach and your soul, ground meat, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and a light broth all layered and baked in a way that every bite contains every ounce of flavor. How could you go wrong? When I found this recipe for Shepherd’s Pie it was the closest in flavor that I could find to what I had in Ireland and I’m sure you will love it too.
I know that I started by saying that I had Shepherd’s Pie and that it is a traditional meal in Ireland, but that does not mean that Shepherd’s Pie originated in Ireland, in fact that is a point of speculation, some say it is English, others say Irish, and others say Scottish. Regardless of which country truly did invent the Shepherd’s Pie it is obvious that those cold wet winters in the north Atlantic where livestock farming was a way of life led to a delicious dish that is still enjoyed today. The flavor of a Shepherd’s Pie can only be described as savory, using a beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to bring out the rich flavors of the meat and complement the vegetables – there is truly no other word to describe it. There is nothing flashy about a Shepherd’s Pie either but when you taste this recipe you’ll realize flash is overrated.
Is Shepherd’s Pie Healthy?
When recipes like Shepherd’s Pie were first created the focus on health was non-existent, the focus was sustenance, not diet. To determine whether Shepherd’s Pie is healthy or not you need to remember that depending on your dietary needs, everything in moderation. This recipe calls for 90% lean ground beef to reduce your fat content but still maintain a lot of protein. You can always decrease the fat content further by substituting ground turkey or chicken. The mashed potatoes in this recipe are homemade which also reduces additives but contains a decent amount of milk and butter. You can also make a vegan Shepherd’s Pie by substituting ground tofu in place of ground beef, swapping in plant-based alternatives for all your dairy, and adding vegetable broth in place of beef broth.
Why does this recipe call for ground beef?
This recipe calls for ground beef, I believe, because ground beef is easy to find. Traditionally Shepherd’s Pie was originally made with lamb meat as the region of the world where it originated from farm a lot of sheep and utilize all parts of the animal. However, not all regions use lamb on a regular basis, ground beef is more common. Lamb is known for a gamier flavor that not everyone enjoys, though.
INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Boil and mash potatoes; preheat the oven.
Cook
Brown beef with veggies, add gravy ingredients.
Bake
Assemble in a dish, and bake until golden.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Shepherd’s Pie is a great dish to make in advance because the longer it has to sit and soak in flavor the more flavorful each bite will be. After cooking, to store your Shepherd’s Pie, let it cool to room temperature and cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also freeze your Shepherd’s Pie for up to three months. When you are ready to enjoy your Shepherd’s Pie thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
The flour is a thickening agent for your gravy – beef broth and Worcestershire sauce are both incredibly loose liquids, so the flour helps thicken them into a gravy.
You will find some Shepherd’s Pie recipes that have a dough that makes the pie more contained, however, this recipe does not call for crust.
Serving Suggestions
Shepherd’s Pie is generally eaten as a single-dish meal, all your ingredients are layered together in a way not to require other dishes, but that does not mean it can’t be served with other dishes to make a full meal.
I personally like to serve my Shepherd’s Pie with a light salad to add more vitamins and nutrients to the meal, a nice Kale Salad with Bacon and Caramelized Onions {Gluten Free and Low Carb} pairs nicely but is also savory. For a sweeter option you can make a nice Strawberry Salad with Grilled Nectarines and Balsamic Vinaigrette, that remains light but also complements your shepherd’s pie.
Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef 90% lean
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups mixed vegetables peas, carrots, corn
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 lbs russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Boil potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes, then drain.
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Mash potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
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In a skillet, cook onions and garlic until soft. Add ground beef, cooking until browned.
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Stir in flour, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer.
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Add mixed vegetables to the skillet, cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
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Transfer beef mixture to a baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes on top.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes until the potatoes are golden. Let cool before serving.
Nutrition
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