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 33.0g, carbohydrate 49.0g, fat 39.0 g, saturated fat 20.0g, fibre 0.0g, sugar 10.0g, salt 1.35 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, March 2009.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 21-40

  • 28 July 2009

    Emma rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This recipe is delicious, i will definately make it again.

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  • 06 August 2009

    Middle Donalnd rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Easy to make and my husband loves it!! I used a mix of sweet potato and potato for the toppings and added some chilli flakes into the mince. I am not a big fan of shepherd's pie but my husband is looking forward to eating the leftover..!!!

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  • 06 August 2009

    shaedon rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I thought it was excellent, i made it for my mum and sister a couple of weeks back and we all loved it. I added a few drops of tabasco sauce as well as gravy powder and cornflower just to makeit that much nicer. I also added celery and peas into the mix. When i make it next i was thinking of adding mushrooms to the suce adn mashing in parsnips with the potatoes. An excellent way to hide the vegetables in a meal.

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  • 02 September 2009

    gemmoli rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Very tasty, used beef mince as didn't have lamb. Also added flagolet beans which was lovely.

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  • 14 September 2009

    Ruby commented on this recipe

    lovely - I used minced beef instead of minced lamb and added a few drops of tabasco sauce (about 15 drops) oh and grated some cheese on top - lovely !

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  • 20 September 2009

    Michael rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Best Shepherds Pie recipe I have tried....loved it

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  • 23 September 2009

    Travel-happy commented on this recipe

    Love this recipe! Keep tweaking it, as use half sweet potatoes & half maris, and add red wine to the stock.

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  • 24 September 2009

    northernminx commented on this recipe

    I thought this was very bland - my mum makes better. if you want a fab recipe try the 'spiced parsnip shepherd pies' one from this website and you'll never want to make this one again!

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  • 28 September 2009

    Emmatur rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I loved this receipe, it was lovely and tasty and even the children liked it and we enjoyed seconds.

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  • 06 October 2009

    Natalie rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 12 October 2009

    Harri rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    really yummy!!

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  • 23 October 2009

    Simon's book commented on this recipe

    Very good recipe, I use abuot 2 table spoons of flour before I put in the puree and only use 300ml of stock instead of 500ml tastes the same but reduces the cooking time. Excellent

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  • 23 October 2009

    Simon's book commented on this recipe

    ps - and makes the mix a bit thicker rather than a bit runny

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  • 23 October 2009

    Simon's book rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 24 October 2009

    Suzy rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Great recipe. I also used a couple of small fresh leeks ... delicious and easy. Would suggest tho' that the cooking time in the oven be revised. Mine took about 40 minutes to bubble nicely.

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  • 24 October 2009

    Butlins rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Did a Caribbean twist on this, by replacing the mashed potato with sweet potato mash, and adding two tablespoons of jerk marinade (I used Walkerswood), and my Jamaican wife loved it!

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  • 26 October 2009

    Jo's Recipes rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 31 October 2009

    jojo01 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This is a fantastic recipe. I use minced beef instead of lamb and add a heaped desertspoon of flour into the mix along with the tomato puree and worcestershire sauce to make a lovely rich sauce. I haven't yet used mushrooms in it, but I plan to and use less stock as mushrooms give out a lot of water :)

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  • 09 November 2009

    gemz84 rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    we loved this but for me there was a bit too much stock, however my partner enjoyed getting a piece of bread and running it around the plate. the kids wolfed it down and it was perfect on such a cold night

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  • 13 November 2009

    slippery_chimp rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Far too much mash but still lovely!

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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 33.0g, carbohydrate 49.0g, fat 39.0 g, saturated fat 20.0g, fibre 0.0g, sugar 10.0g, salt 1.35 g

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