Classic Irish Shepherds Pie
A deeply comforting layered bake featuring a rich and savory minced lamb filling packed with vegetables and herbs, all topped with a cloud of creamy golden-brown mashed potato that becomes irresistibly crispy at the edges. This is the ultimate Irish family dinner that improves with every leftover portion reheated the following day.
A comforting Irish baked dish of rich minced lamb and vegetables topped with golden creamy mashed potato.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
Main
Vegetables
Liquid
Seasoning
Topping
Instructions
Cook the Lamb Filling
Heat a large oven-safe skillet over high heat and add the minced lamb. Brown thoroughly, breaking up any clumps, for about 8 minutes. Add the diced onion and carrots and cook for a further 5 minutes until the vegetables have softened. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
Build the Sauce
Pour in the lamb stock and Worcestershire sauce and stir everything together. Season well with salt and pepper, bring to a simmer, and cook uncovered over medium heat for 15 minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly but is still moist. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
Prepare the Mash Topping
Boil the cubed potatoes in salted water until completely tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and mash with a generous knob of butter and a splash of warm milk until smooth, creamy, and well seasoned. Spread the mash evenly over the lamb filling using the back of a spoon, creating peaks with a fork.
Bake Until Golden
Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the potato topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the layers to settle and make it easier to serve neat portions.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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