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Classic Irish Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Classic Irish Shepherd's Pie Recipe with Colcannon Potatoes

This Classic Irish Shepherd's Pie Recipe features savory filling and creamy potatoes, perfect comfort food for gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Irish
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Potato Topping
  • 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
  • 6 ounces Irish butter
  • ¾ cup whole milk or heavy cream
Filling
  • 2 leeks sliced
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ head Savoy cabbage shredded (about 3 cups)
  • 2 pounds ground beef 90 to 95% lean
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ onion diced
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • ½ cup dry sherry or red wine
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ¾ cup fresh or frozen peas
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Casserole dish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Make the Colcannon potatoes according to your preferred recipe.
  2. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Remove browned beef and drain the grease.
  4. Add the butter and onions to the pan and cook until they start to brown. Add the celery and carrots. Season with salt, dried thyme, and freshly ground black pepper. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
  5. Add the tomato paste and continue to cook for a couple of minutes to toast the paste. Stir in the flour until it coats the vegetables, cooking for another 2 minutes.
  6. Deglaze the pan by pouring in the sherry, bringing to a simmer and scraping up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan.
  7. Add the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce and return the browned beef to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil and then lower the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  8. Stir in the fresh or frozen peas. Transfer the beef to a 2-quart casserole dish.
  9. Top the beef mixture with spoonfuls of the colcannon mashed potatoes. Spread out the potatoes to evenly cover the beef, ensuring the potatoes touch the edges of the dish. Make swirls in the mashed potatoes with a spoon or spatula or score the top in a diagonal pattern with a knife. Lightly sprinkle some paprika over the potatoes.
  10. Bake in the pre-heated oven for 45 minutes until potatoes are lightly browned on top and sauce is bubbling. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Incredibly versatile recipe that works beautifully for weeknight dinners, meal prep, and special occasions. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days.

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