No-fuss shepherd's pie

No-fuss shepherd's pie

We've got some lovely twists on shepherd's pie on the site, but we were missing a definitive version of this classic family recipe - here it is!

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 15 mins

Cook time

Cook 1 hr

Freezable

Freeze once assembled

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan, then soften the onion and carrots for a few mins. When soft, turn up the heat, crumble in the lamb and brown, tipping off any excess fat. Add the tomato purée and Worcestershire sauce, then fry for a few mins. Pour over the stock, bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 40 mins, uncovering halfway.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 180C/ fan 160C/ gas 4, then make the mash. Boil the potatoes in salted water for 10-15 mins until tender. Drain, then mash with the butter and milk.
  3. Put the mince into an ovenproof dish, top with the mash and ruffle with a fork. The pie can now be chilled and frozen for up to a month. Bake for 20-25 mins until the top is starting to colour and the mince is bubbling through at the edges. (To bake from frozen, cook at 160C/fan 140C/gas 3 for 1 hr-1 hr 20 mins until piping hot in the centre. Flash under the grill to brown, if you like.) Leave to stand for 5 mins before serving.
Try

Like this?

Try some of our other no-fuss recipes, Easy chicken tagine or No-fuss ham & crème fraîche tart .

PER SERVING

663 kcalories, protein 33g, carbohydrate 49g, fat 39 g, saturated fat 20g, fibre 0g, sugar 10g, salt 1.35 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, March 2009.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 101-120

  • 27 February 2011

    Kay Ubi rated this recipe

    4 stars

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  • 28 February 2011

    Mooky rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Delicious!

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  • 02 March 2011

    leajay commented on this recipe

    Great recipe, put all the ingredients in and added two cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon basil, teaspoon parsley, two teaspoons of black pepper powder, instead of tomato puree i used passata, teaspoon of onion powder and beef mince, it was well appreciated by my teenage daughter who is a fussy eater, thanks for this recipe :)

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  • 02 March 2011

    leajay rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 11 March 2011

    Meg:) rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I normally add peas and sometimes leeks too, and swpa the lamb mince for beef mince to make a cottage pie. So quick and easy and lasts for days!

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  • 13 March 2011

    mrshy rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    easy to make, even if it does take a little while to cook down, but still, really simple and very tasty.

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  • 27 March 2011

    London Foodie commented on this recipe

    Simple and delicious! I used less stock (250ml) based on previous reviews and it was still moist without being soggy. I used both sweet and regular potatoes with less butter in the mash to make it healthier. I also added some chili pieces to the lamb.

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  • 05 April 2011

    Dagobahbabe rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Absolutely delicious! I added 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped mint and used double cream instead of milk for mine. Everyone wanted seconds.

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  • 26 April 2011

    Lynsey rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This was soo tasty! But i only used 1 tin of tomatoes and i added grated cheese to the top of the mash before putting in the oven which made it extra yummy, also i only needed to put it in the oven on the final stage for 10 min not the 40min as stated to brown it off.

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  • 12 May 2011

    Jmi-lu1111 commented on this recipe

    I love this recipe and when I cooked this recipe for my family loved it. I have never really been a good cook but using this site and seeing the recipes and the step by step instructions it's helped me better my skills. I've added some things to the recipe, like mushrooms cooked with the onions and carrot's also instead of tomato purée I've used chopped tomatoes it give of a fresher taste. Thank you

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  • 21 May 2011

    Tillyfloss rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I've made this recipe several times and it is delicious, never a scrap left!

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  • 17 June 2011

    Jayne Bould rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Very nice recipe. Easy enough to make mid week. Don't forgot the HP brown sauce. once you try you will be converted! x

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  • 23 June 2011

    catstaa rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This is the best shephers pie I've ever tasted and so easy to make - a winner every time

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  • 12 July 2011

    Gayle rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    What a great recipe! The whole family loved this - clean plates all round. I added some leeks cooked in butter to the mash and I didn't have tomato puree so used ketchup which worked well! I also used some cornflour to thicken and make more of a gravy. Will without doubt be making this again.

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  • 16 July 2011

    Coriandergirl commented on this recipe

    Cracking recipe...simple and very tasty!!

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  • 02 August 2011

    amyrizzle rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This makes a delicious shepherds pie, I added peas and a tin of baked beans just before leaving it to simmer. Also, cheese on top is good! Will definitely be using this recipe again.

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  • Binder photo jj

    20 August 2011

    jj rated this recipe

    4 stars

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  • 24 August 2011

    miss_bee82 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This is the tastiest Shapherds Pie I've ever tasted. I highly recommend this recipe, it's one to try that's for sure. I used more tomato puree and worchestershire than tasted and found it was much more tastier that way but I guess it's down to the individual taste. If you don't want to make such a large amount then half the ingredients although it can be frozen or kept in the fridge too.

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  • 31 August 2011

    Rachllsn3 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    So simple and hubby really enjoyed this one.

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  • 03 September 2011

    Dinis commented on this recipe

    Great easy recipe! Done it my girlfriend and my flatmates made it disappear! Yummm

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 15 mins

Cook time

Cook 1 hr

Freezable

Freeze once assembled

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp sunflower oil
  • 1 large onion , chopped
  • 2-3 medium carrots , chopped
  • 500g pack lamb mince
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • large splash Worcestershire sauce
  • 500ml beef stock
  • 900g potatoes , cut into chunks
  • 85g butter
  • 3 tbsp milk
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PER SERVING

663 kcalories, protein 33g, carbohydrate 49g, fat 39 g, saturated fat 20g, fibre 0g, sugar 10g, salt 1.35 g

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