Simple Shepherd’s Pie
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!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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
- olive oil
- ground lamb (use ground beef for cottage pie)
- onion
- Beef Better Than Bouillon or beef stock
- Bisto
- Worcestershire Sauce
- salt
- pepper
- mashed potatoes
- (optional: shredded Cheddar cheese)
Directions
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 lamb 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!
Don’t miss another post! Sign up for my FREE subscription below.
Simple Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 1 tsp Beef Better Than Bouillion (or one OXO beef bouillion cube)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 16 oz ground lamb (if you use ground beef -it's a cottage pie)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 Tbsp Bisto
- ½ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 dash pepper
To top the meat:
- 5 large potatoes (mashed, made with butter and half and half- see notes)
- 1 handful shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
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 salt, Beef Better than Bouillon (or one OXO cube), Bisto granules, 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
- The amount of potatoes will vary depending on the amount of mashed potato you like on top. Use less or more as desired. To be honest, leftover mashed potatoes is never a bad thing in my house. You can make potato scones, potato croquettes, boxty, and more.
- Omit the Bisto if you want to make it gluten-free (may contain traces of gluten).
Nutrition
Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Hi Christina, we love shepherds/cottage pie,my old nan always stated sternly I might say. sliced/scalloped potatoes on shepherds pie to represent the slates on the roof. and cottage would have smashed potatoes on top ruffed up with a fork to represent the thatched roof on the cottage.either way it’s delicious,and so does yours.
Wow, I’ve never heard of that, how neat! Where was she from?
Hi Christina,born and bred in the black country, West Bromwich to be excact.English midlands.all the old working class meals Christina,home made faggots and mushy peas ,groaty pudding,grey peas and bacon bits.blackcountry folk would call thes.e gray pays an bercun.lovely with crusty bread,all the old foods dying out now all kids want is burger or kfc, we would have chitterlings,lambs tongues, lambs hearts smashed up with soft boiled eggs,sure your own father would now these.P.S.dont forget pigs trotters ugh.
So much is being lost, I agree. And if the food was an improvement, it’d be one thing, but as you said, McDonald’s and KFC is horrifically bad especially for children. Snout to tail is still the way to go, not wasting anything. Hope the Slow Food movement picks up steam.
I made this tonight as part of the January challenge on your Facebook page. I made a couple tweaks because I forgot to get Worcestershire 🤦🏻♀️ I added a little extra better than bouillon and some red wine, but oh m geeee this was so good!! I will definitely make this again.
I saw your photo, Brandi, and it looks fabulous! I’m so happy you entered and will be making this again! :) CC
What is Bisto? Is it common in the UK. I live in the USA. It sounds as if it would make a difference using it.
Yes, it’s a British product. Here’s my affiliate link on Amazon, but you’ll find it at Cost Plus World Market, too: https://amzn.to/2S5tPhU
I have made this recipe before & love it. I wanted to try it w bisto so ordered some & just received it. Perfect cold day to make it for dinner tomorrow!
Awesome, you’ll love it with the Bisto, Luanne! Have you tried it in the potato skins? That’s another way to serve it! Enjoy!
Bisto is truly British! It’s an instant gravy that just requires boiled water. Yummy! C.x
I have made your Simple Shepherd’s (Cottage) Pie a number of times. So delicious. Easy to follow instructions/great photos. Five Stars💜💜💜💜💜
Thank you, Dave!!! I so appreciate your review! :)
To be honest, we don’t do shepherd’s pie much where I come from but this got me hungry for some. I should try this out soon. Thanks for the recipe!
I think you’ll like it, Jessica! Enjoy!
One of my gripes when people get the names wrong on a food blog of all places 😂😂 originally the ‘pies’ weren’t of mince but to use up the leftovers from a sunday roast 😊
Right?! As many peasant dishes would be: using food to stretch it as much as possible. :)