Classic Shepherd’s Pie

When it comes to warm, delectable and homey comfort foods, I am in my element.  These types of casseroles are layered in flavor, tastes and textures. I love that the flavors of these types of recipes come together when cooking and the dish turns into something magical. I happen to have an amazing Classic Shepherd’s Pie and I am so excited to share it with you!!

Classic Shepherd’s Pie is rich and meaty with deep flavors from wine and beef broth. It is then covered in creamy mashed potatoes and baked, for a perfect bite, every time!!!

When I make this dish, I often imagine my Irish ancestors putting a hearty casserole similar to this one in their ovens. In Ireland, this is predominantly made with lamb, which I also love. To keep this a dish one everyone likes, I am sticking with the ever popular, ground beef. Saint Patrick’s Day is approaching and most people immediately think of corned beef and cabbage. I love that too! In fact, I have an amazing recipe for that. I happily shared Corned Beef and Cabbage on my blog last Saint Patrick’s Day and it is a crazy good crowd pleaser as well!!

This year though, I have been thinking about this Classic Shepherd’s Pie for several months. I have been waiting to make this for a blog post during March and it is finally here! Now, I don’t normally limit the foods I make to just the holiday they are normally linked to. I make this one year around, but for some reason I haven’t made this in awhile. I am drooling over the smell of this in the oven right now!

Classic Shepherd’s Pie is comfort food at its best! It is a full meal in one dish, hearty and and filling. A meal the whole family will love!!

For those that don’t know, Shepherd’s Pie is an all in one dish. It finds its origin in Ireland as a way to use up extra bits of leftover stewed meat and vegetables. In the United States, there was also something called Cottage Pie, very similar, but primarily made with ground beef. Once Shepherd’s Pie came to the U.S. however, these two dishes kind of morphed into each other and now, Shepherd’s Pie is the most popular term. 

To make Classic Shepherd’s Pie, you first need ground meat. Like I said, ground lamb or beef is used. Once this is cooked and the extra fat is drained away, you add spices like garlic, rosemary, thyme and vegetables like chopped carrot and peas. This is simmered in a rich beef broth enriched with red wine and tomato paste. This cooks down and develops deep flavors and is then topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Then this casserole is slid into the oven and baked where the flavors develop into something just short of magic and the potatoes become golden brown. 

To keep clean up to a minimum, brown the beef in the same skillet you plan to bake it in. I normally cook this in an iron skillet or my grandmothers old enamel coated cast iron. Never fear, if you don’t have this type of dish. Grease a pyrex baking dish, then bake it in that. It works great!

This recipe for Classic Shepherd’s Pie is an absolute winner! It has wonderful deep flavors from the beef broth, wine and tomato paste. When cooked down with the spices and flour, a delicious gravy is made that bubbles up under and around the mashed potatoes. This will be a family favorite from the first time you taste it!! Enjoy!!

This recipe for Classic Shepherd’s Pie is the best I have ever had. I would love for you to give it a try and leave me a comment on the recipe and tell me what you think of this classic recipe!!