CHRISTOPHER’S SHEPHERD’S PIE

CHRISTOPHER'S SHEPHERD'S PIE- A classic comfort food that you should have in your recipe box!

My son Christopher loves Shepherd’s Pie. On a hunting trip to Vermont when he was a lad, Christopher had his first taste of this scrumptious comfort food.  Shepherd’s pie was once called “cottage pie” and was made with lamb, but that will never happen in this house. As a child, I went to a boarding school in Scotland and ate mutton. So I am ruined for life!  I make Shepherd’s Pie with ground beef, but it can easily be made with a mix of ground lamb and ground beef, ground sausage and ground beef or it can even be made with beef cubes! I think it’s especially wonderful with a mix of ground venison and ground beef! Use what you have on hand!

This simple peasant food can feed a crowd and is deliciously filling!  This is for you sweet boy!  Let’s make Christopher’s Shepherd’s Pie!

Oh, yum!

CHRISTOPHER'S SHEPHERD'S PIE- A classic comfort food that you should have in your recipe box!

What I love about a dish like this is its versatility! Add cheese to the mashed potatoes for an extra zip, clean out the leftover veggies in your frig and use them as add-ins, add some bacon for a smoky flavor! 

You are only limited by what you have on hand!

3 from 1 vote

CHRISTOPHER'S SHEPHERD'S PIE

A comfort food classic!
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs yukon gold potatoes
  • 3 TBS sour cream
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 1 TBS olive oil
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 garlic clove pressed or finely chopped
  • 3 TBS butter
  • 3 TBS flour
  • 1 1/2 cup beef stock
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • dash of Kitchen Bouquet optional
  • 1/2 cups frozen peas or more if you like them
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Peel and cube Yukon gold potatoes and add to a pot of water. Add 1 tsp salt and simmer until fork tender. Drain.
  • In a large bowl add sour cream, egg yolk and half and half. Whisk. Add the potatoes and hand mash. Do not use a mixer! Set aside.
  • Put the oil in a large pan and add the ground beef and the onions. Salt and pepper. Cook the ground beef and onions until there is no pink left in the meat. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Drain off the excess fat. Set aside.
  • In a small saucepan, melt 2 TBS butter over medium heat. When the butter is melted add the flour and whisk. Cook for a couple minutes so the flour looses it's raw taste. Add the beef stock and whisk until thickened. Add in the Worcestershire sauce and kitchen bouquet. Whisk to incorporate.
  • Remove the gravy from the heat set aside.

To assemble

  • Put the ground beef mixture in the bottom of a casserole dish. Add the gravy. Top with the peas and then the potatoes.
  • Bake at 350 ° until bubbly and hot, about 30-40 minutes. If the mashed potatoes are not browned broil them for a couple minutes.

Notes

Frozen carrots and or corn can be added along with the peas.
This dish can be made up ahead and refrigerated up to a day before it is cooked in the oven.
Author: Yvonne @ StoneGable
I hope you will try Christopher’s Shepherd’s Pie!

CHRISTOPHER'S SHEPHERD'S PIE- A classic comfort food that you should have in your recipe box!

Did you know that I have a Pinterest board called Foodie Fun? I have over 2,200 pins. I also have a Lo-Carb Pinterest board with over 400 pins! You might like to follow me on Pinterest and see what I’m finding to pin every day HERE.

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CHRISTOPHER'S SHEPHERD'S PIE- A classic comfort food that you should have in your recipe box!

 

 

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82 Comments

  1. Colleen Henderson says:

    Thank you for the recipe. It is pretty much how I make my Shepherd’s Pie and my family loves it.

  2. Looks delicious! I’ve never had Shepard’s Pie, but with your simple recipe, I think I’m going to make it! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  3. This sounds so good and comforting for a cold winter’s night. We do not eat mutton either so I am happy this recipe has ground beef.

  4. Katherine Gebhardt says:

    I had a cookbook that had a tasty Sheperd’so Pie recI personally but the cookbook disappeared in one of my moves. This recipe looks like it might be a great substitute. Thanks Christopher!

  5. Mmmmm.. looks delicious. would love to try it with venison!

  6. Martha Hansen says:

    This looks great, think I will make it tonight. Nice to have recipes that use ingredients that I have on hand! Thanks Yvonne, I know it will be delicious.

    1. Hi Martha, It is the kind of recipe that most of us have the ingredients on hand!

  7. Theresa Winterberry Lane says:

    Thanks Yvonne for the recipe for Shepards Pie, I’m always trying to find something different to serve to my family.

  8. Cindy Brown says:

    Being a born and bred Vermonter, I’m glad Christopher’s loves Shepherd’s Pie! It was always a standard on cold, snowy nights growing up. Slightly different recipe, but basically the same.

  9. Carol Ann says:

    Looks and sounds delish! I’ve printed it off to try.
    Thank you for a great menu idea.

  10. Looking forward to making this recipe on a cold night!!!! Thanks.

  11. Kittyluvr says:

    This sounds so easy and I have all the ingredients….temps in NC dropped to below 35 last night so I am going to warm everyone up with this dish. Thanks to Christopher for being the inspiration for today’s recipe!

  12. judyincarefree says:

    Had as a child made with either beef or lamb so might try making it with ground beef if there are leftover mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving…thanks for reminding me about this dish!

  13. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I am going to try this for dinner tomorrow night.

  14. Exactly what I needed – the perfect easy recipe that will be delicious after a long cold day and goes together quickly after all the holiday prep for Thanksgiving! Thanks so much for sharing this – it’s already on this week’s menu!

    Hugs from the Rockies, Pippa

  15. Thank you for this!! Having it tonight!!!!

  16. I would like it with the ground beef…looks good !

  17. genie steger says:

    Yes it is yummy. Made it as a newly wed bride for our first Christmas Eve 50 years ago, and made it again a couple of years ago on Christmas Eve, seems appropriate!

  18. thanks for sharing, this sounds delicious, and easy

  19. Angela Saver says:

    This looks so amazing! I can’t wait to make this for my family! Thanks for sharing!

  20. Patricia Scott says:

    I’m pleased to note your liking for Shepherd’s Pie. Actually, Shepherds Pie is traditionally made with lamb (or mutton I guess) hence the name. The dish you describe is Cottage Pie. As known in the UK.

    1. Yes, I know. I had it when I lived in the UK and I am not a fan of mutton at all! But everything else about Scotland and England I loved!!! Especially the people!

  21. My husband adores Shepherds Pie but I never make it. Now that I have the recipe, I will give it a try. Minus the peas. I just don’t care for them, so I will use corn and carrots.

  22. looks so yummy! Could I use corn starch in the place of flour for the gravy? I am gluten free.

  23. A family favorite! Thank you for your recipe!

  24. This recipe sounds like a wonderful comfort food on a cold windy day. Will definitely give it a try.

  25. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I will be making this when everyone is tired of turkey, LOL!!

  26. darla coffman says:

    I have never ate Shepherds Pie. The pics looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it!

  27. Our children all adore cottage pie, we have it every couple of weeks, it makes a fabulous family supper. We put carrots in ours as a thin layer between the meat and potato and then always have peas served as a separate vegetable on the side! Being British we call it cottage pie if it is made with beef and shepherds pie if it is made with lamb. I never knew you went to boarding school in Scotland, where? So now we have lots in common, you know all about the British boarding system and the absolutely ghastly food we had to endure! To this day I still cannot eat cabbage, the smell alone takes me back years!

  28. I used to make this all the time many years
    ago.I will have to make it again,looks yummy.

  29. My husband enjoys cooking and he plans to make this for dinner tomorrow.

  30. Anne Marie says:

    This sounds so good – thanks!

  31. rosie protzmann says:

    I just made the roasted stuffed pumpkin again and it was a huge hit. I only used 1/2 a baguette – does this sound right?

    Also, I loved reading your story of your new grandson. It sounds very much the story of our first grandson. He’s now a college senior and such a wonderful young man. A friend at church today was telling me about her new, first grandson and she said, ” it is like discovering a color you had never seen before”. I love that. We now have the blessings of 4 grandsons and 2 granddaughters in an array of fabulous colors. Congrats!
    Grace and blessings!

  32. Eloise Fitzsimmons says:

    The pie looks so good, I wish it were in my oven right now. 😉 It will be a nice change from the turkey of next week. Of course, while I was on your site I had to check out your Pinterest boards .Always inspire
    ing !

  33. Patricia Lawlor says:

    I will definitely be making your shepherds pie. Looks yummy

  34. Yum! Havent made this in years. Thanks for the reminder, and the easy recipe. Making this week for sure.

  35. I will make this recipe for sure. Looks yummy and perfect for a cold winter night. Thank you for sharing your recipe.

  36. Oh, it’s nice to have yet another way to serve both beef and potatoes!
    This looks yummy, even “pretty,”and it’s actually fairly cool here in Dallas!
    I better hurry, though, before it’s back in the high 70’s again … !
    Thanks, Yvonne, for sharing this recipe!

  37. I make a low fat version using ground turkey and chicken broth. It is very good if you season it well.

  38. this is a delicious food that everyone should enjoy and easy to make.

  39. This looks yummy. And a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes or make extra mashed potatoes just to make this recipe.

    Yvonne with leftover mashed potatoes should I add the egg?

  40. P Scudder says:

    This is what’s for dinner at my house tonight!

  41. This looks delicious! Pinning to my comfort food board right away! Love your blog Yvonne 🙂

  42. Beth Groff says:

    Shepherds pie is one of my husband Gary’s favorites also. Wonderful way to use leftovers. Blessed Thanksgiving to you & your family.

  43. Looks like a great meal!

  44. Been looking for a good recipe. This one may be IT. As always, thanks for your delightful blog.

  45. Looking forward to trying this awesome comfort food!

  46. Vicki N. Martin says:

    I love Shepherds Pie. Thank you for the recipe.

  47. Lynn Winburn says:

    My family goes to a pub here to get shepherds pie called”Two Fools” we just love it! Thank you for the rsiepe!

  48. Barbara Adams says:

    I just made Shepherds Pie this weekend. Try this for a twist: rather than a white potato, thy topping with Sweet Potatoes! SOOOOOO good. I sprinkle a little cheese on top or between layers. It is SOOOOOO good!

  49. Bernice Llewellyn says:

    I made this with ground beef and it was DELICIOUS. Thanks for sharing!

  50. Maggie Nelson says:

    Thank you for the recipe, it will be good meal with leftover mash potatoes from Thanksgiving.

  51. Avril Crundwell says:

    O my goodness… I used to make something similar for my family all the time when my kids were still at home. Glad you posted this… I think I’ll bring back an old fave.

  52. My sister invited us to her new home for dinner last night. Shepard pie was served!! She said you are not going to like it. I said I’m eating it if you went to the trouble to make it. She used ground beef and it was delicious. I’m going to share your recipe with her to see how they differ. Thanks for the post, I enjoyed seeing it today!!

  53. I’ve made Shepherd’s Pie before, but this one sounds the best. I’ve printed it and will be making it in the future. Thanks Yvonne!

  54. Looks yummy! Thank you!

  55. Anne Porter says:

    Brings back memories of making a version of this when our kids were growing up! I used canned green beans and tomato soup and cheated with instant mashed potatoes on nights when we had Little League or band practices! Doubt if our grandchildren have ever eaten canned green beans and/or taters from a box!
    How eating habits have changed!!!

  56. Martha Durick says:

    I like homey one dish meals. Thanks .

  57. The recipe sounds great! I have been making it for quite a while now. It is almost a comfort food, my children loved it when they kids.

  58. I made this last night and it is soooo good. I will be making this often, along with many of your other delicious recipes.
    Happy Thanksgiving

  59. Wow that looks so good. Can’t wait to try your recipe.

  60. I made this yesterday, loved by all, it’s a keeper, thank you! Happy Thanksgiving!

  61. Fran Braun says:

    Wow! My German mother-in-law loved this dish and my husband hates it. The recipe I used was from the BC red and white checked cookbook and it called for tomato soup. It was pretty bland. I am going to try this one. My mouth is watering! I think my husband will love this one. We are ready for some beef. Froze the turkey for soup!

  62. Have always made Shepherd’s Pie with green beans; am going to try with peas next time.

  63. Brenda Mortley says:

    Delicious! My husband was disappointed there were no leftovers. Making a double batch today, one for supper and one to freeze.

  64. Good morning, Yvonne.

    The other day I made your recipe and it’s a keeper!!! My husband loved it. Next time I make it I will use fewer potatoes and increase the amount of veggies. So good.

  65. Denise Lamb says:

    My family loves Shepherd’s Pie. We usually make it with leftover roast beef.
    Going to try your recipe the next cool day.

  66. Anne Porter says:

    Yum!! Almost forgot about this !! Thanks for nudge to start making it again!

  67. Deborah Gullett says:

    My mother loves mashed potatoes so she should love this! I will have to try it!

  68. Yvonne, how many will the Shepherds Pie serve? I’m needing to serve 10 adults. I’m thinking I may need to double it. Thank you.

    1. You will probably need more ingredients to feed 10. This will feed 6-8 depending on the serving size.

  69. 3 stars
    It’s only Shepherd’s Pie if made from lamb, otherwise it is Cottage Pie. Like your version!

    1. The original English pie known as Shepherd’s pie is made with lamb. I think so many people make Shepherd’s pie with ground beef it now can be either. It’s also known as Cumberland Pie and Hachis Parmentier. Thanks.