Classic Shepherd’s Pie is a comforting casserole that consists of ground lamb, carrots, and peas simmered with Guinness, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs and topped with a cheesy mashed potato layer that’s baked until golden and crisp. Shepherd’s Pie is wonderful any time of year but is especially great for St. Paddy’s Day.
Our family waits all year long for St. Paddy’s Day for me to make my classic shepherd’s pie.
The combination of the lamb and veggies simmering with the herbs, Guinness, and Worcestershire sauce creates this outrageous aroma that’s rivaled only by its taste.
The creamy mashed potatoes with their crispy top make the perfect “crust” to this pie and while he makes a lot of it, there are usually no leftovers.
And I’m always left wondering why we don’t make this more often!
For our St. Paddy’s day celebration, we typically serve our shepherd’s pie with our homemade Irish soda bread and corned beef and cabbage, but the pie is substantial enough to serve on its own any time of the year.
And it’s usually followed by this delicious chocolate Guinness cake with Irish cream frosting.
We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as our family does!
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.
- Lamb. Ground lamb works great, though braised lamb shoulder broken down into chunks is great too!
- Beef stock. Homemade beef stock or Better than Bouillon reduced-sodium beef base both work well. Skip the box stocks.
- Heavy cream. You can also use milk.
- Guinness. Sub dry red wine or omit completely if you don’t want alcohol. If omitting, add a cup more beef stock.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make shepherd’s pie
Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.
First, start the mashed potatoes process
- Peel and halve 3 1/2 pounds of russet potatoes. Place the potatoes in a stockpot, fill it with enough cold water to cover them, and add 2 tablespoons of kosher salt. Bring the potatoes to a boil and cook until fork tender, roughly 25-30 minutes. (Photo #1)
- Rice the potatoes in a large bowl. Note: You can certainly make mashed potatoes with a potato masher or hand mixer, but a ricer will yield better results. (Photo #2)
- Add 3/4 cup of heavy cream, 8 tablespoons of butter that’s been melted, and 1 cup of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Mix together and taste test making any adjustments needed to salt and pepper before you add the egg yolks below. (Photo #3)
- Add the yolks of 3 large eggs and mix until combined. (Photo #4)
Meanwhile, begin browning the lamb and making the filling
- Dice one large onion, 3 celery ribs, and 3 medium carrots. Mince 5 cloves of garlic, chop 1 tablespoon of rosemary leaves and remove 1 tablespoon’s worth of thyme leaves from their stems. Preheat the oven to 400f and set one rack in the middle and the other toward the top third. Heat a large heavy pan or pot to medium-high and add 2 pounds of ground lamb. Cook the lamb for 7-10 minutes until well browned. Once it gets nice and brown, break up the lamb with a meat masher or wooden spoon. (Photo #1)
- Add the carrots, onions, and celery along with a pinch of salt. Saute the mixture until the veggies have softened, about 5-7 minutes. (Photo #2)
- Add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes or until fragrant, then add 3 ounces of tomato paste and stir to incorporate. Allow the paste to cook for 3 minutes. (Photo #3)
- Add 12 ounces of Guinness and turn the heat up to high. With a wooden spoon, scrape the bottom of the pot to remove all of the brown bits. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated. (Photo #4)
- Turn the heat down to medium, add 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, and cook for 1-2 minutes until there is no white flour remaining in the pan. (Photo #5)
- Add 2 cups of low-sodium beef stock, 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce, the thyme and rosemary, and 1 1/2 cups of frozen green peas, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced by half. (Photo #6)
- Taste test the filling and make any adjustments to salt, pepper, thyme, or rosemary if needed. You want it to taste really good! So season well. (Photo #7)
- Add the filling to a 9×13″ baking dish and spread with a spatula to ensure an even layer. Note: I am using two smaller baking dishes in these pics, but all of the ingredients will fit a 9×13″ baking dish perfectly. (Photo #8)
- Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, begin to add the mashed potatoes on top of the lamb filling. (Photo #9)
- Spread the potatoes to create an even layer and use a spoon or a fork to make to fluff the potatoes to make mounds or points. (Photo #10)
- Sprinkle a 1/4 cup of grated Parmigiano Reggiano on top and place the casserole dish (or dishes) on a baking sheet to help prevent spillage. (Photo #11)
- Bake for 20 minutes in the center of the oven. Then, move the pan to the top rack and broil for 1-3 minutes or until browned, but not burnt. Be sure to watch carefully! Let the shepherd’s pie sit and settle for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy! (Photo #12)
Top tips
- Potatoes. Similar to our potato gnocchi, we recommend using russets as their dryer and hold less water. They will help create an airy mashed potato which will help to make a crispier crust. A ricer works great for making mashed potatoes.
- Lamb. Classic shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with ground lamb. If you don’t like lamb and prefer to use beef, you can certainly do so. Making this substitution would result in cottage pie, rather than shepherd’s pie.
- Guinness. Guinness gives a great depth of flavor to Shepherd’s pie. If you can’t find Guinness any dark ale, porter, or stout will do. Red wine can also be used. If you can’t have alcohol, simply replace the Guinness with beef stock.
- Taste test! Be sure to taste test your mashed potatoes before you add the egg yolks. Also, taste test the lamb filling before adding it to the casserole dish. You really want to ensure both layers are seasoned very well so you have the best possible shepherd’s pie!
More comforting recipes you’ll love
- Meatloaf with brown gravy – classic meatloaf with ground beef and brown mushroom gravy.
- Italian beef stew – tender chunks of beef with carrots, celery, and mushrooms.
- Classic chili – ancho and chipotle chiles with beef, beans, and just a touch of cinnamon and dark chocolate.
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Shepherd’s Pie
This classic shepherd's pie combines ground lamb, carrots, and peas simmered with Guinness and beef stock and layered with creamy, cheesy mashed potato crust that's baked until golden.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 1/4 cups Parmigiano Reggiano grated, divided
- 3/4 cup heavy cream plus more if too dry
- 1 stick butter melted
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 large egg yolks
For the filling
- 2 pounds ground lamb
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
- 1 large onion diced
- 3 celery ribs diced
- 3 medium carrots diced
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 3 ounces tomato paste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 12-ounce bottle of Guinness
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves only
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped, leaves only
- 2 cups low-sodium beef stock
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the mashed potatoes
- Fill a stockpot with the potatoes, cover with cold water, and mix in 2 tablespoons of kosher salt. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender (about 25-30 minutes).
- Rice the potatoes in a large bowl. Combine with the heavy cream, melted butter, and 1 cup of parmesan cheese. Taste test the potatoes and season very well with salt and pepper to taste. Once satisfied with the taste, mix the egg yolks into the potatoes.
For the Shepherd's pie
- Preheat oven to 400f and set one rack in the middle and one towards the top 1/3 of the oven.
- While the potatoes are boiling make the filling. Heat a large heavy pan or pot to medium-high heat then add the lamb.
- Cook until well browned (about 7-10 minutes), then break up the lamb with a wooden spoon or meat masher. Next, add the carrots, onions, and celery along with a pinch of salt. Saute until the veggies are soft (about 5-7 minutes) then add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste, stir, and cook for 3 minutes. Next, add the Guinness and turn the heat to high. With a wooden spoon scrape the bottom of the pot to remove all of the brown bits. Cook until the liquid has almost completely evaporated (about 3-4 minutes).
- Turn the heat down to medium and add the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until there is no white flour remaining in the pan. Add the beef stock, thyme, rosemary, peas, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced by half.
- Taste test the filling and adjust salt, pepper, thyme, or rosemary if required.
- Add the filling to a 9×13" baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes on the top and with a fork or spoon fluff the potatoes making mounds or points. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of grated parmesan.
- Bake for 20 minutes in the center of the oven. Move the dish towards the top of the oven and broil for 1-3 minutes or until well browned but not burnt. Watch carefully! Let the shepherd's pie sit for 10 minutes before eating so that it can settle. Enjoy!
Notes
- Taste test the mashed potatoes before adding the egg yolks to ensure proper seasoning. Be sure to also taste test the lamb filling and make any adjustments to the salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
- Leftovers can be saved for up to 3 days and can be reheated.
Nutrition
Calories: 797kcal | Carbohydrates: 60.8g | Protein: 59.4g | Fat: 33.2g | Saturated Fat: 17.4g | Cholesterol: 264mg | Sodium: 646mg | Potassium: 1826mg | Fiber: 9.5g | Sugar: 13.9g | Calcium: 317mg | Iron: 6mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Hey, love the recipe and the channel. I would like to make this with beef for the Cottage pie. But a family member of mine is allergic to eggs. Can i omit the egg entirely, or should i substitute it with something like greek yogurt (a common choice of egg replacement)? As well can i use dried thyme and rosemary instead of fresh? How much should i use if using dried? Thank you.
1 more question. Can i use Pecorino instead of Parmigiano Reggiano in this? How much should i use if so?
Hi Sal, you can use the same amount of Pecorino, but keep in mind Pecorino is far saltier than Parmigiano Reggiano so you’d likely not require additional salt in the mashed potatoes.
Hi Sal, the egg serves as a binder for the potatoes. You can remove them if need be but I haven’t actually tested this recipe without them so can’t say for certain. As far as dried thyme and rosemary, you can use them in place of the fresh but keep in mind dried herbs are stronger than fresh herbs so I’d probably start with 1-2 teaspoons of each and adjust to your taste.
Hi Jim I made the cottage pie version of this recipe and I substituted the Guinness with mushroom stock. It turned it fantastic! Thanks for recipe and my family loved it!
Hi Martin, thanks for the comment and appreciate you sharing the mushroom stock substitution. That will come in handy for others. So happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Thank you! Does this freeze well?
Hi Jacquelyn, yes, you can freeze this, although it will be better when made fresh.
My special need daughter texted me a YouTube short video of some guy making Shepherd’s Pie & she asked if we could have this for dinner tonight etc. I never made it before so was glad when I found the recipe on Sip & Feast. The way the recipes are laid out & just how you guys go over each step, it always boosts my confidence about being able to pull it off. Meanwhile, whenever I try to cook with ANY kind of alcohol, my wife comments (in a negative way!), so I left it out & used extra stock instead. And of course I made too much filling but not quite enough potatoes, which was even cautioned in the video! Lol Uhmm, still came out great. Best regards from sunny So. California. Thanks as always
Hi Jeff, thank you for the comment. We’re so happy you enjoyed the shepherd’s pie and appreciate you following along with us!
Jim: like all the comments, this dish was wonderful. My Irish wife loved it. I followed the recipe to the letter. My only issue was the filling was runny. It wouldn’t stand up like the photo you have on the website. What did I do wrong?
Hi Werner, so happy you and your wife enjoyed it! If the filling was runny it may not have been cooked long enough. It should be cooked long enough for the liquid to reduce. If you plan to make it again, I’d recommend watching the video to see how I got it to the point I did for the picture. I hope this helps!
Made this for our family and some friends a couple weeks ago. It was delicious!! Thank you!
I’m so happy you all enjoyed the shepherd’s pie and really appreciate the comment and rating! Thank you!
Another excellent recipe!! Made a Cottage pie and turned out delicious. I am a fan of almost all your recipes. I especially like the fact that you give people alternatives to choose. For instance, ground lamb is difficult to find around me, hence the Cottage pie. The best to you your film crew and most importantly your unbiased taste tester.
Hi Tom, I really appreciate this comment and am so happy you are enjoying the recipes!
Easy five-star rating here! Made this first time last night for a dinner party I was having (risky, I know!) and this led to me rushing a bit more than I’d like, but wow was it worth it! Everyone went back for seconds and there were very kind comments. Only problem is after this meal and the wine, we were all a bit sleepy!!
Want to state that your ratios are spot on in this recipe. I will confess that I looked it over and decided I wanted more lamb and so used 3 lbs instead of 2 lbs. It worked but…that 9×13 pan was full to the brim and definitely leaked juices out during cooking process (good I had sheet pan underneath!). That’s my own fault for not following the recipe!
Anyway, thanks again for this recipe, always nice knowing I can try one of your recipes (for a dinner party no less!) and be confident it will work out and get rave reviews. This one definitely did – just sad I don’t have leftovers, ah well. Guess I’ll have to make again soon!!!
Hi James, thanks for the awesome comment and so happy you all enjoyed the shepherd’s pie!
Another great recipe, thanks Jim!
I made a double batch so we’d have a leftover dinner – my 19 month old taste tester put ketchup on hers, but she gave me a 2 thumbs up review.
Thanks!!
Hi Michael, thanks for the comment and so happy you (and your taste tester!) enjoyed the shepherd’s pie!
Hey Jim, made this last night for my Irish bro in law and fam and everyone loved it! I Was gonna try other recipes from Irish websites/people but I thought let me stick with Jim he hasn’t steered me wrong yet. Thanks!
Hi Alfonso, comments like this make me so happy! Really appreciate your faith in Sip and Feast and glad to hear you all enjoyed the shepherd’s pie. Thanks for the review and comment!
Excellent recipe, thanks for sharing! I made this for a St. Patrick’s Day feast with friends and it was the star dish of the evening.
Hi Susan, I’m so happy you enjoyed the shepherd’s pie and really appreciate the comment!