Irish Shepherds Pie

Servings: 6-8 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 1 hour | Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

This hearty traditional Irish shepherd's pie is the ultimate comfort food, featuring seasoned ground lamb, tender vegetables, and fluffy mashed potatoes baked to golden perfection. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations or any cozy family dinner, this classic dish brings warmth and satisfaction to the table.

The key to a great shepherd's pie is building layers of flavor - sautéing the vegetables until tender, browning the lamb, and creating a rich gravy with wine and beef stock. Top it all with creamy mashed potatoes and bake until golden brown for a meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 1 tbsp shallot garlic olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• ½ bag frozen peas
• ½ bag frozen corn
• 2 tbsp flour
• ½ cup dry red wine
• ½ cup beef stock
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp black salt (or sea salt)
• 1 tsp caraway seeds
• 4 large potatoes, mashed
• Optional: shredded cheese for topping

Directions

Prepare the Filling:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with shallot garlic olive oil.
3. Add diced onions and carrots. Sauté until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add ground lamb and brown, breaking it up as it cooks.
5. Add minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
6. Drain excess fat from the pan and return to stovetop.

Make the Gravy:

1. Stir in butter, frozen peas, frozen corn, and flour.
2. As the mixture begins to thicken, add red wine and beef stock.
3. Add thyme, rosemary, oregano, black pepper, black salt, and caraway seeds.
4. Reduce heat and simmer until the mixture is thick and gravy-like, about 5-10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat.

Assemble and Bake:

1. Grease a nonstick casserole dish.
2. Pour the lamb and vegetable mixture into the casserole dish, spreading evenly.
3. Top with mashed potatoes, spreading to cover all sides of the dish.
4. Optional: sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the potatoes.
5. Bake for 30 minutes or until potatoes are lightly golden brown on top.

To Serve

Serve hot with crusty Irish soda bread for an authentic and satisfying meal. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any time you crave hearty comfort food!