Shepherds Pie

Shepherds Pie

Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate comfort food that warms you from your head to your toes. It's hard not to love the juicy and robust flavour of minced meat, mixed with carrots, onions and peas all smothered in stock before being topped off with creamy mashed potatoes.

Topping everything with some melted cheese ensures the perfect crunchy finish that only makes us love it even more! Even if you don't think Shepherd’s Pie is your thing, one bite and you may be convinced otherwise!

You won't regret trying this classic meal!

What’s the Difference Between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie?


Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie? While these two dishes may sound similar, they have some key differences that make them stand out.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes each dish unique, and why one might be better suited to your tastes than the other.

What Is Shepherd’s Pie?


Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional English dish made with minced lamb or mutton, vegetables (typically carrots, onions, celery, peas), and a mashed potato topping. It is usually baked in a casserole dish.

The combination of savoury minced meat with creamy mashed potatoes makes it a comforting and hearty meal that can easily feed an entire family.


What Is Cottage Pie?

Cottage pie is very similar to shepherd’s pie but uses minced beef instead of lamb or mutton. It also typically includes other ingredients like Worcestershire sauce or tomato paste for extra flavour.

The beef filling gives this dish a distinctly different taste from its counterpart; however, it is just as delicious and comforting as shepherd’s pie.

What To Serve With Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's pie pairs great with simple sides like steamed vegetables or a green salad. You can also add some crusty bread on the side if you'd like more carbs in your meal.

If you're looking for something more substantial, try serving shepherd's pie alongside roast vegetables or garlic bread - both will complement this savoury dish perfectly!

Tips For Making Shepherd's Pie

If you want to give your shepherd's pie an extra kick of flavour, try adding some herbs like rosemary or thyme to the mashed potato topping before baking it in the oven.

You can also experiment with different types of cheeses like cheddar or Parmesan to give your shepherd's pie even more depth of flavour.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to make shepherd's pie or cottage pie, both dishes are sure to hit the spot when it comes to comfort food classics!

Both dishes are easy to make ahead of time so you can enjoy them for days on end - perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something quick yet delicious! Be sure to experiment with different ingredients and flavours so you can make these classic dishes even more unique - happy cooking!​

  • Category: Main
  • Cuisine: British
  • Servings: 5
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hours
Tweed Real Food Shepherds Family Pie is simple to make and wholesome dinner for everyone to enjoy! Flavoured with Tweed Real Food BBQ Master Rub and Wild Porcini Salt. You can throw it together in no time, or delegate to the kids/teens and train them up for future dinners!

Ingredients

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Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees.
  2. Boil the potatoes and cook until soft, approx 20 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile in a saucepan over medium-high heat cook the onions in half of the butter for approx 5 minutes, until soft. If the carrots are fresh cook them with the onions, if frozen add after the beef mince is browned.
  4. Add the beef mince, once browned add the vegetables and BBQ Master Rub. Pour in the stock, season with Wild Porcini Salt and simmer for a further 5 minutes, with the lid off.
  5. When the potatoes are soft, remove from pot, add remaining butter and mash until soft. In an ovenproof casserole dish, layer the beef mixture first, then top with the potato mash in an even layer, using a fork to create peaks.
  6. Cook in oven until brown and bubbling, approx 30 minutes.

Recipe by: Tweed Real Food

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