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Shepherd’s Pie with Lamb – The result of an effort to recreate the best lamb shepherd’s pie we’ve ever had, this recipe will blow you away with it’s tangy, spicy flavor. Meat and potatoes never tasted so good!

When I was in nursing school I commuted into Center City Philadelphia for class every day.

After an almost hour-long train ride from the ‘burbs – a great time for studying (or napping) – I would hop off the train at Suburban Station and make my way to class past a delicious-smelling Irish pub, the iconic statue in Love Park, and finally end up at Hahnemann Hospital.

One night my husband met me in town, for what reason I can’t remember, and we decided to have dinner at that yummy-smelling Irish pub.

I can’t remember what Dan ordered – this was eight years ago (wow, I’m old)… All I remember is that he wished he had gotten what I had: The Lamb Shepherd’s Pie.

Eight years later Dan and I don’t often get into Center City, with our rambunctious five-year-old and needy four-month-old.

Recently we were talking about how good that Lamb Shepherd’s Pie was (we occasionally reminisce about those glorious days before kids)… That’s when I decided that if I can’t go to the Shepherd’s Pie, then I was going to make the Shepherd’s Pie come to me!

After trying a few batches I came up with the recipe that my husband and I LOVE. Even the five-year-old is a fan. Now with St. Patty’s Day just a week away, the timing is perfect!

This recipe is the casserole embodiment of comfort food. And although this is a seemingly simple meat and potatoes dish, I took the time to create a recipe for the gravy that’s just a little bit tangy and has some complexity with an assortment of spices.

I promise you’ve never had Shepherd’s Pie like this before!

Shepherd's Pie with Lamb

Name: Shepherd's Pie with Lamb
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp safflower or canola oil; 1 C chopped sweet onion; 1 C chopped carrots; 1 lb ground lamb; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 cloves minced garlic; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp dried thyme; 1/4 tsp dried crushed rosemary; 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 3 Tbsp tomato paste; 2 C beef broth; 1 C frozen sweet peas; 2 lbs yukon gold potatoes; 4 Tbsp butter*; 1/4-1/3 C vegetable broth; 1 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 egg yolks lightly beaten

Yield: 4-5 servings

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

The result of an effort to recreate the best lamb shepherd's pie we've ever had, this recipe will blow you away with it's tangy, spicy flavor. Meat and potatoes never tasted so good!

Ingredients

Lamb Pie Filling

1 Tbsp safflower or canola oil
1 C chopped sweet onion
1 C chopped carrots
1 lb ground lamb
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried crushed rosemary
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp tomato paste
2 C beef broth
1 C frozen sweet peas

Mashed Potato Topping

2 lbs yukon gold potatoes
4 Tbsp butter*
1/4-1/3 C vegetable broth
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 egg yolks lightly beaten

Instructions

Wash, peel, and chop the potatoes and place them into a pot so that they are submerged in water. Bring to a boil and boil for 10 to 15 minutes until they are beginning to fall apart. Drain and place in a mixing bowl. Add in the butter* and allow to melt. Next, add in 1/4 C vegetable broth, salt, and black pepper. Beat until fluffy and then mix in two egg yolks. If the potatoes seem dry add a little more vegetable broth, keeping in mind you want them slightly more firm than how mashed potatoes are typically served.
On the stove top, over medium-high heat, sauté the onions, carrot, and lamb in 1 Tbsp of oil until the lamb is cooked through. While the lamb is cooking break it apart with a spoon.
Once the lamb is cooked through add the Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and tomato paste. Cook one minute. Stir in the spices and flour and cook 1 more minute. Next, slowly pour in the beef broth while continuously stirring and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the frozen peas.
Pour the lamb pie filling into a 2.5 quart baking dish and cover with an even layer of the mashed potatoes. Cook in a 425º F oven for 20-25 minutes or until the shepherd’s pie is bubbling and the potatoes are beginning to turn golden brown. Allow the dish to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

*Simply replace the butter with a dairy-free butter alternative to easily make this recipe dairy-free.

You may also enjoy…

Spinach Potato Cakes with Parmesan

Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable Stew

Spring Lamb Stew

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Comments

dixya @food, pleasure, and health says

March 10, 2017 at 3:13 pm

i dont make shepherds pie that often but i find it sooo delicious and comforting!!

- Rachel says
  
  March 17, 2017 at 10:30 pm
  
  It is such a yummy comfort food!
  
adina says

March 15, 2017 at 4:24 am

Shepard pie is sooo good! I actually remember eating it for lunch in a small restaurant in London with the head of the department where I used to work, that was 2007. God, I am old too! 🙂 I make it at home sometimes but with beef, because I have never ever seen ground lamb around here…

- Rachel says
  
  March 17, 2017 at 10:30 pm
  
  My mom always made it with beef and it was really good, but I have to say that the lamb is even better! I hope you can find some ground lamb. It’s also great for lamb burgers!
  
Jane in Grand Rapids, Michigan says

December 31, 2017 at 10:26 pm

Just made this for our New Years Eve Meal and it was the b st recipe ever! I’ve made it before with lamb shoulder or loin but the ground lamb was much nicer. I omitted the rosemary as I am not a fan and added some smoked paprika to the meat mixture/to taste as well as on top of the potatoes as a garnish.
I will make this again again! Thanks so much for sharing!
Happy New Year

- Rachel says
  
  February 15, 2018 at 12:41 pm
  
  Thanks for coming back to let me know that you enjoyed this recipe! I’ve made Shepherd’s Pie with lamb shoulder before too. It was also good, but I agree the ground lamb works better. Not to mention, it’s just faster to make. I love smoked paprika added to things. I’m planning on making this for my family the week of St. Patrick’s Day, and I’ll be giving your suggestion a try! 🙂 Happy belated New Year to you too!
  
Patrick Casey says

May 4, 2018 at 12:07 pm

As an Irish-American who loves lamb shepherd’s pie, this recipe is excellent. I only have one complaint about your article. It is Saint Paddy’s Day NEVER Saint Patty’s Day.

- Rachel says
  
  June 7, 2018 at 4:22 pm
  
  Haha! Thanks for the feedback Patrick! Despite my Saint Paddy’s foible I’m glad that this recipe is what you were looking for!
  
Grover Hatfield says

June 28, 2018 at 11:08 pm

Shepherd’s Pie, ‘IS’ Lamb! Not ‘WITH’ Lamb. When was the last time anyone saw a Shepherd, herding Cows? Very simple: Shepherd’s Pie – Lamb. Cottage Pie – Beef. If you don’t believe me, ask Gordon Ramsay. I’m sure he’ll be far more courteous!

- Rachel says
  
  June 30, 2018 at 2:37 am
  
  Haha! I love your enthusiasm on this subject Grover! Regardless of semantical correctness, most Americans are making their “Shepherd’s Pie” with beef… tis sad… isn’t it?
  
Linda Shepherd says

January 14, 2022 at 8:20 pm

Husband purchased a whole lamb I like this recipe real well nI used lamb stew meat because i was lazy and didnt want to dragg the grinder out. It was so good. thank you for sharing

Verlene says

August 17, 2018 at 11:39 am

This Shepherds Pie was delicious. I served guests from 15-87 years of age and everyone liked it. Most had second serving. As another cook mentioned I added some frozen sweet corn in addition to half the peas. It was a definite hit.

Rachel says

September 23, 2018 at 12:23 pm

I’m so happy to hear that this recipe was such a hit! It’s one of my personal favorites, but haven’t made it all summer. I’m looking forward to chilly fall weekends to stay in and make this for my family!