{"id":18204,"date":"2018-01-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-09-07T00:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/origin-www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/skillet-shepherd-s-pie\/"},"modified":"2024-08-13T05:20:53","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T10:20:53","slug":"skillet-shepherd-s-pie","status":"publish","type":"recipe","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/skillet-shepherd-s-pie\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Shepherd\u2019s Pie"},"content":{"rendered":"

There’s a reason why shepherd’s pie is a consistent family crowd-pleaser. With a thick and hearty filling of ground meat, an array of nutritious vegetables and a cloud-like topping of mashed potatoes and melted cheese, what’s not to love? And here’s another thing to love. In this recipe, the entire dish is cooked in a skillet, saving you from both tedious dish cleanup and bake time.<\/p>\n

How to Make Shepherd’s Pie<\/h2>\n

A traditional shepherd’s pie<\/a> is made with lamb (more on this below), but this easy version is made with ground beef. It’s prepared entirely on the stovetop and comes together in right around 30 minutes. Simply prepare the filling in a single skillet, then top with any types of mashed potatoes<\/a> and a generous sprinkling of cheddar cheese. It’s a comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or for hosting company.<\/p>\n

What is shepherd’s pie?<\/h2>\n

Shepherd’s pie is a savory dish composed of a meat-and-vegetable filling that’s topped with mashed potatoes. Shepherd’s pie filling can vary greatly among recipes. However, a mandatory inclusion is typically either ground beef or ground lamb<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shepherd’s pie made with lamb is more common in Europe, while beef is the meat of choice in the United States. The vegetable selection also varies among recipes. Onions, peas and carrots are most traditional, with mushrooms and root vegetables (such as turnips, rutabagas and parsnips) also making possible appearances.<\/p>\n

The Shepherd’s Pie Origin Story<\/h2>\n

Shepherd’s pie is quintessential British food<\/a> and a classic Irish recipe<\/a>. While iterations of this potato-topped delight have existed for generations, the first written mention of a shepherd’s pie recipe appeared in an English cookbook published in 1877. However, unlike most modern shepherd’s pie recipes, that earliest recipe originated in Scotland and featured a thin pastry shell topping (like our best chicken pot pie recipes<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The version we all know and love today was likely born from that crust-topped shepherd’s pie, with home cooks in England and Ireland opting to omit the pastry topping for ease and affordability.<\/p>\n

Similar to cottage pie and also reminiscent of a French hachis parmentier<\/em>, today’s homemade shepherd’s pie is one of the most beloved comfort food dinners<\/a>. It’s enjoyed around the world in homes, pubs and even fine-dining establishments.<\/p>\n

Shepherd’s Pie vs. Cottage Pie<\/h2>\n

While often used interchangeably, these two meat and potato casseroles<\/a> do<\/em> have subtle nuances. The primary difference between shepherd’s pie and cottage pie is that shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with ground lamb, while classic cottage pie is made with ground beef.<\/p>\n

This distinction is often made in Europe and other parts of the world where ground lamb is popular and more commonly consumed. Due to beef’s popularity in the United States, however, we tend to see ground beef shepherd’s pie<\/a> recipes. For this reason, the term “cottage pie” is not as well known in the U.S.<\/p>\n

Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients<\/h2>\n