How to Make Irish Shepherd's Pie - A Step-by-Step Guide

Irish Shepherd's Pie, also known as cottage pie, is a traditional Irish dish that is hearty and comforting. This savory and delicious dish consists of a rich and flavorful meat filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes, baked until golden and bubbly. It's the perfect comfort food for a cozy night in or a St. Patrick's Day feast.

The origins of Shepherd's Pie can be traced back to the 18th century in the UK, where it was a way to use up leftover roasted meat. The dish eventually made ...

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 pounds lean ground lamb
  • 1 onion, diced
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 ½ cups water, or as needed
  • 1 (12 ounce) package frozen peas and carrots, thawed
  • 2 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and halved
  • ¼ pound Irish cheese (such as Dubliner®), shredded
  • ¼ cup cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Information

  • Prep Time: 25 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 1 9x13-inch casserole

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Place olive oil and butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in ground lamb and onion; cook and stir until meat is brown and crumbly, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir in flour until incorporated. Mix in garlic, ketchup, rosemary, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper; cook and stir until garlic is fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Stir in water, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the Dutch oven. Reduce heat to medium-low and bring mixture to a simmer; cook and stir until thick, 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Remove lamb mixture from heat, then stir in peas and carrots until combined.
  • Spread lamb mixture into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish; set aside.
  • Place potatoes into a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well and return potatoes to the pot.
  • Mash Irish cheese, cream cheese, butter, and cayenne pepper into potatoes until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.
  • Whisk together egg yolk and milk in a small bowl; stir into mashed potato mixture.
  • Top lamb mixture in the baking dish with mashed potatoes; spread evenly to cover.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown and sauce is bubbling up around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    517 cal.

    • Total Fat: 28g
    • Saturated Fat: 13g
    • Cholesterol: 132mg
    • Sodium: 301mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 37g
    • Dietary Fiber: 4g
    • Total Sugars: 1g
    • Protein: 29g
    • Vitamin C: 7mg
    • Calcium: 155mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 426mg