shepherd's pie recipe

Shepherd’s pie is a wonderful savory meat pie with a top and or bottom crust of mashed potatoes. The original recipes for cottage pie, made with beef mince, and shepherd’s pie, traditionally filled with lamb mince, are centuries old. In America, Shepherd’s pie is the term we use today to refer to both cottage pie and shepherd’s pie. Traditional recipes calling for lamb or beef mince are joined by recipes calling for other types of meat suitable for slow cooking with vegetables. Today’s home cooks and professional chefs are coming up with new and exciting twists on this classic comfort food.

Shepherd’s pie can have one or two crusts usually made from mashed potatoes. Homemade mashed potatoes are the best choice, as they are heartier and will crust over, not allowing liquids to absorb into the potatoes and breaking them down. Shepherd’s pie is designed to take advantage of leftovers and less expensive, tougher cuts of meat that tenderize well in the slow cooking.  Tougher, fattier pieces of meat generally have more flavor than leaner cuts, and are ideal for this dish. You could put together a very expensive version of this dish, but that is not necessary. Like pot pies, the slow cooked meat and vegetables are tenderized and the flavors blend nicely together.

The dish is perfect for brunch, lunch, and dinner. ShepherdPieRecipe.net presents several dozen recipes for this delicious savory pie. From traditional to modern, our growing collection of recipes provides a delicious dish for any occasion. From simple to complex, you will find just the right recipe for your next meal. Shepherd’s pie takes some time from start to serving, so read through recipes carefully and plan your cooking ahead. The recipe pages include tips on ingredients and cooking techniques designed to help achieve pie making success.