Simple Shepherd’s Pie is a recipe that you will make over and over because it is so delicious. It can be made ahead of time, frozen and is a perfect comfort food and crowd pleaser.
Originally published on January 23rd, 2012.
This is a super easy recipe for a simple Shepherd’s Pie, which tastes delicious!
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Trivia fact of the day
Most people recognize this dish as Shepherd’s Pie, but when made with beef instead of lamb, the correct name is Cottage Pie!
The nice thing about Shepherd’s or Cottage Pies is that they freeze beautifully, and taste just a good as when it has been freshly made. It’s one of those recipes you can double, and freeze the extra batch for a night off in the kitchen. This meal is just perfect comfort food for a cold night, too!
How about this version of Shepherd’s Pie, too?
Simple Shepherd’s Pie (or Cottage Pie)
Serves about four
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb organic ground beef, no more than 5% fat (to make Cottage Pie) (for authentic Shepherd’s Pie, use ground lamb instead of beef)
- 1 medium to large onion, diced
- water
- 1 tsp Beef Better Than Bouillon
- 1 tbsp Bisto (or a tablespoon of flour)
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- salt & pepper
- mashed potatoes (made with butter and half and half)
- (optional: shredded Cheddar cheese)
Sauté the diced onion for a few minutes over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. Close the lid for another few minutes, and continue to cook.
Once the onion is translucent, and just starting to brown, add the ground beef and break the pieces up into smaller bits. Stir often, and continue to cook until the liquid starts to dry (if not using Bisto, add a tablespoon of flour at this time).
Add enough water, just to almost cover the ingredients, and simmer. At this point, add about 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 tsp Beef Better than Bouillon, 1 tbsp Bisto granules, 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce and some ground black pepper to taste.
Now, preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
Continue to simmer the meat over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes, then taste. If needed, add more salt or Bisto, then remove from heat.
Ladle the beef and gravy into oven safe ramekins or bowls, to make individual Cottage Pies, or just one large dish. Spoon (or pipe) mashed potatoes onto each dish to cover completely.
Place dishes/ramekins onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake until bubbly and the potato is browned a little, approximately 25-30 minutes. You can even sprinkle some shredded Cheddar cheese on top before baking!
Serve with HP Sauce, of course!
Remember, these freeze really well, just reheat in the oven, or even in the microwave!
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Simple Shepherd's Pie
A classic traditional British dish. Real comfort food and perfect for cold days.
Ingredients
- 1 OXO beef bouillion cube (or 1 tsp Beef Better Than Bouillion)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground lamb (for authentic Shepherd's Pie, use ground lamb instead of beef -if you use beef, call it cottage pie)
- 1 medium to large onion, diced
- 1 Tbsp Bisto
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- salt & pepper
- mashed potatoes (made with butter and half and half)
- (optional: shredded Cheddar cheese)
Instructions
- Sauté the diced onion for a few minutes over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. Close the lid for another few minutes, and continue to cook.
- Once the onion is translucent, and just starting to brown, add the ground beef and break the pieces up into smaller bits. Stir often, and continue to cook until the liquid starts to dry (if not using Bisto, add a tablespoon of flour at this time).
- Add enough water, just to almost cover the ingredients, and simmer. At this point, add about 1/4 tsp. salt, one OXO cube (or 1 tsp Beef Better than Bouillon), 1 tbsp Bisto granules, 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce and some ground black pepper to taste.
- Now, preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
- Continue to simmer the meat over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes, then taste; if needed, add more salt or Bisto. Remove from heat.
- Ladle the beef and gravy into oven safe ramekins or bowls, to make individual Cottage Pies, or just one large dish. Spoon (or pipe) mashed potatoes onto each dish to cover completely. Add shredded Cheddar cheese on top, if desired.
- Place dishes/ramekins onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake until bubbly and the potato is browned a little, approximately 25-30 minutes.
Notes
Omit the Bisto if you want to make it gluten free (may contain traces of gluten).
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 bowlAmount Per Serving:Calories: 867Total Fat: 59gSaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 31gCholesterol: 227mgSodium: 954mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 56g
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[…] of the easiest make-ahead freezer meals that everyone loves. Shepherd’s pie or cottage pie (when made with beef) tastes like it’s been made fresh every single […]
Great recipe – but what is the oven temp you used?
Hi Ellen, I had it in the body of the post, but omitted it in the printable recipe, “Now, preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC).” It’s fixed now, and thank you for catching it :) Enjoy the recipe!
[…] Christina‘s Simple Shepherds pie […]
Made this for the second time, my 6 year old helped with the potatoes.Everyone loves it! We also made Bannock or fried bread to go with. Have not had that in forever, and found the recipe in my grandma’s cook book on a faded card. So good. My 11 year old helped with the bread making, it came out a little lopsided, but still yummy!
How sweet! I love to see and hear of children helping to cook and bake! Great life skills that many grow up lacking. The fried bannock sounds wonderful, too! Thank you, Anne and hope you find more of my recipes to enjoy with your children! :)