Description
Comfort meets innovation in this deconstructed shepherd’s pie, reimagining classic British flavors with a modern twist. Layered components showcase rich lamb, creamy potatoes, and roasted vegetables, inviting you to savor each carefully crafted bite of culinary creativity.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground lamb or beef
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes
- 1 cup carrots
- 1 cup frozen peas
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup milk (or cream)
- 1 cup beef broth
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare potatoes by submerging them in a pot of cold, salted water, bringing to a rolling boil, and cooking until fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Drain potatoes and return to the warm pot, incorporating milk and butter while mashing until achieving a silky, smooth consistency.
- Season the mashed potatoes with salt and pepper, then set aside to keep warm.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, introducing ground meat and breaking it down while cooking until evenly browned.
- Incorporate diced onions into the skillet, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add minced garlic and chopped carrots, continuing to cook for an additional 5 minutes to develop deep, rich flavors.
- Introduce tomato paste, stirring and allowing it to caramelize for approximately one minute to enhance the sauce’s depth.
- Pour in broth, Worcestershire sauce, and fresh thyme, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Fold in green peas and allow the sauce to reduce and thicken for 8-10 minutes, creating a robust, savory base.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Artfully spoon creamy mashed potatoes onto serving plates, creating an inviting base.
- Generously ladle the meat and vegetable mixture over the potatoes, ensuring an even distribution.
- Optionally garnish with fresh parsley or additional thyme sprigs for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest, fluffiest mashed potatoes that hold their shape perfectly.
- Let meat cool slightly before assembling to prevent soggy potato topping and maintain distinct layers of flavor.
- Replace ground beef with ground lamb for traditional shepherd’s pie or use plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian version that keeps the hearty texture.
- Add depth by incorporating a splash of red wine or splash of dark beer into the meat sauce for rich, complex undertones that elevate the classic comfort dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg