Shepherd’s Pie…it might be my all-time favorite comfort food, and I never get tired of making it. I am very particular about the kind of shepherd’s pie that I like, though, and that all dates back to my days right out of college, living with my dear friend C in the world’s smallest studio apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Ah, that apartment — it had exposed brick walls that got red-hot in the winter (why? we didn’t know and were afraid to ask), the world’s dinkiest, oldest refrigerator, and a reclusive next door neighbor named Bruce who was straight out of a Seinfeld episode. We made a combined salary of about $25,000 per year, and probably spent $20,000 of it on rent for this glorious pad, and so our nights out on the town were few and far between, and divided between what is STILL the best pizza place I have ever been to and this Irish joint called Finnegan’s Wake.
Finnegan’s was loud and dark and the floor was sticky and they served the best, cheapest, most delicious shepherd’s pie I’ve ever had. It was made with beef, not lamb, and featured peas and carrots in a thick tomato-ish sauce, all topped with mashed potatoes. (The picture above is before the addition of the potatoes, in case you are wondering. Because once you put the potatoes on top it would look like a picture of, well, potatoes.)
The Finnegan’s version spoiled me forever in terms of shepherd’s pie, and ever since I have been in search of a recipe that stood up to Finnegan’s. (Of course, it might have tasted so good because the rest of the time we were eating cold cereal, ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese out the box, but whatever.)
So this recipe has all those elements, and whenever I have leftover mashed potatoes I make it. By the way, I’m not sure exactly why it is called shepherd’s pie — maybe shepherds eat it? Maybe because – eek – it is usually made with lamb? At any rate, it’s also a good excuse for me to show you the one and only picture I have ever taken of a sheep.
And now that you have all this useful information, here’s the best part, which is the actual recipe.
Ingredients Directions
Shepherd’s Pie, adapted from Everyday Food
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Since we don't eat red meat, I cannot imagine this with chicken ? lol but I love the story and I love the photo.
Baby animal photos are always good
Oh, thank you! This recipe looks great…all the other Shepherd's Pie recipes I've seen have Encyclopedia-long ingredient lists and sound so labor-intensive. I'm definitely bookmarking this one!
Shepherd's pie is made with lamb; cottage pie is made with beef. (This was told to me by an Old School Brit.)
Aha! (but glad I learned this after I posted, or I wouldn't have been able to use my sheep picture.
I have DEFINITELY been to Finnegan's Wake but haven't ordered their shepherd's pie. I obviously need to get on that! Or just make this recipe because it looks delicious.
Ooo this looks yummier than my version. i''ll have to make it tomorrow.
Hi Kate
This recipe (made with beef) in England is called Cottage Pie. Shepherd's Pie is made with lamb and that is pretty much the only difference between the two. To be had with a pint of brown ale. Yum!
My boyfriend LOVES Shepherd's Pie. I've tried out a couple recipes that he's liked but I haven't found one that he loves just yet so this will be my newest audition for his approval!
In our poor newly married years I made what we called Shepherd's Pie often. But my recipe called for a can of tomato soup- this one sounds MUCH better! Thanks for sharing.
(love the picture!)
As an 'old school Brit' myself
I can confirm the shepherd's/cottage split but I must add no self-respecting pie of either type should ever go within a country mile of any type of tomato product! If you make either and add a mixture of grated cheese, breadcrumbs and butter to the top before baking, it miraculously becomes Cumberland pie!
Classic shepherd's pie looks great!
I just popped this in the oven. I can't wait to try it. The recipe I've always used has tomato soup in it and I was so glad to find this doesn't. I did cheat a little and did a mix of ground beef and ground turkey. I also used a mix of red potatoes and cauliflower for the potato topping.
Made this last night and my husband and my somewhat picky 5 year old both LOVED it! They raved about it for the whole meal, and my hubby was really happy that there was enough for a second meal out of it
Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Your photo looks delicious ! My husband and I will surely be trying it very soon.
Your photo looks delicious ! My husband and I will surely be trying it very soon.
if you do not eat red meat , use ground turkey instead……….
Poor creatures, they have to die in order for us to enjoy a delicious meal, unfortunately that is the cycle of life, thanks for the recipe, it is delicious.
I love this Shepherd’s Pie recipe and it is great on cold winter nights — perfect comfort food! I did make some minor changes, however, that I thought enhanced the dish. I added some chopped bacon and sauteed that along with the beef. It added a nice smoky flavor. I also added some red wine and thyme toward the end as it was cooking down and this made it more flavorful, too. My family loved it — thank you!
Yes! And tonight is definitely one of those nights here in the Northeast…brrr!