
Hi, I am Eugenie. Today I am making shepherd’s pie with ground beef and mashed potatoes. It was a dish for people living in a cottage. So shepherd’s pie should be easy and delicious, not complicated.
* Shepherd’s pie or Cottage pie? Many reference books say that the terms are interchangeable But if you want clarification, lamb for Shepherd’s pie; beef or mutton for Cottage pie.
Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe – Beef Cottage Pie
For 2 litres
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups vegetable or beef stock (480ml)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf, optional
- 1.5 pound potatoes, peeled and cubed (675g)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick; 60g)
- 3 tablespoons milk
- Extra melted butter for brushing
- Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
For the mince
First, in a pan, add oil. And heat over medium high heat.
Add onion and carrot. Cook until softened. It takes about 5 minutes.
Add beef. Cook until brown. Stir to break up any lumps.
Add flour. Stirring constantly, cook for 2 minutes.
Add vegetable stock, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf. Stir to combine. And bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until the sauce is thickened. Don’t forget to stir occasionally.
The Mash
Meanwhile,
In a pan with water, add salt. And bring to a boil.
Then add potatoes. Cook for 15 minutes or until tender.
Now drain and transfer to the same pan.
Then add butter, and milk. And mash with a fork or a potato masher. Continue until smooth.
Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Also season the mince to taste.
Bake
Spoon the beef mixture and spread into a baking dish.
Then, top with the mashed potatoes. And ruffle with a fork. Then brush with melted butter.
Bake at 400 degrees F (200C) for about 25 min, until the top is golden brown.
Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.
anniegurumi says
This is one of my husband’s favorite dishes when he went to boarding school in England! YUM!
EugenieKitchen says
Wow, Oliver is very international, too! :)
yfayfayfa says
would love to try your recipe but is it enough for 7 people? :D