Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
Active Time:
50 Mins
Slow-Cooking Time:
6 Hours
Total Time:
7 Hours 5 Mins
Yield:
Serves 6 (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups)
Paige Grandjean

A comfort food that jumped the pond and landed on many Southern tables is shepherd’s pie. The meat base of this dinner must be lamb in order to be called shepherd’s pie. If beef is used, then it is a Cottage pie. For this recipe, we started the lamb in the slow cooker to deepen the flavors. Layer in green peas, carrots, and onions and top with a layer of prepared mashed potatoes. You’re family will love gathering around the table for this comforting dinner.

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 4 lamb shanks (about 11 oz.) each, trimmed
  • 4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 3/4 teaspoons black pepper, divided
  • 2 medium-size yellow onions (about 1 lb.), cut into 1-inch wedges
  • 2 large carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 garlic cloves, smashed (about 1 Tbsp.)
  • 1 cup dry red wine, divided
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups beef stock
  • 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 (24-oz.) pkg. prepared mashed potatoes
  • Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for topping

How to Make It

Step 1

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sprinkle lamb with 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Cook until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Remove lamb from skillet. Add onions, carrots, and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup dry red wine; cook, until mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes. Transfer mixture to a 6-quart slow-cooker. Stir in tomatoes, chicken broth, and ground cumin. Add lamb shanks, nestling into tomato mixture. Cover and cook on LOW until lamb is very tender, about 6 hours.

Step 2

Transfer lamb shanks to a plate. Pour cooking mixture through a wire-mesh strainer into a bowl; discard solids. Reserve strained cooking liquid for another use, if desired. Shred lamb and set aside, covered.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add chopped yellow onion and carrots; cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Add tomato paste, rosemary, chopped garlic, thyme, 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup dry red wine; cook until completely evaporated, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; cook 1 minute. Gradually add beef stock, stirring until completely incorporated. Cook until thickened, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in 12 oz. shredded reserved lamb shank meat and green peas. Remove from heat.

Step 4

Stir heavy cream into prepared mashed potatoes. Spread potatoes over lamb mixture, covering surface completely. Broil on HIGH 6 inches from heat until lightly browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley.

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