Are you looking for an alternative dinner to the typical corned beef and cabbage dinner? This easy to make classic shepherd’s pie recipe is a meal that the entire family will like. It will be a big hit at your next St. Patrick’s Day dinner, or any dinner for that matter. Guinness is a popular stout beer that is frequently used in this recipe. However, any stout beer will work. We often use a homebrewed Scottish ale that works well too. If you prefer, wine can be used as an alternative. See the “Recipe Options” for the details. Give this recipe a try. We really think you’ll love it.
Origin Of Shepherd’s Pie
We also referred to this recipe as “cottage pie” in the title. According to
- 4 large potatoes peeled and quartered
- 5 cloves garlic peeled
- 4 tbsp butter
- ⅓ C milk
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 4 slices bacon diced
- 1 tbsp Tbl oil
- 1 large large onion diced
- 1 tsp salt divided
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 pound hamburger
- 2 cups carrots rough diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup peas
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup beer I used Scottish Ale Barry brewed
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp rosemary
- 1 tsp thyme
- ½ cup cheddar cheese grated
- Place the quartered potatoes and peeled garlic in a large saucepan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes until they are tender.
- Drain the potatoes and add the butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Finish the potatoes by mashing them until they are light and fluffy. Then cover them and set them aside.
- Begin by frying the diced bacon until it is crispy in a large skillet, over medium heat. After the bacon is done cooking transfer it to a plate, using a slotted spoon, and set it aside.
- Add the onion, along with ½ tsp salt and pepper, to the skillet and cook them until they are soft. Add 1 tsp of sugar and continue cooking until the onions are caramelized.
- Once the onions are caramelized, stir in 1 pound of ground beef and cook it until browned.
- At this point, add the carrots, peas, and garlic and cook until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in tomato paste and flour and cook, stirring until well blended.
- Stir in the beer and bring it to a boil. Add the cooked bacon, broth, rosemary, thyme, ½ tsp salt, and pepper, and bring back to a boil.
- Turn the oven on and preheat it to 350 degrees F. While the oven is heating, continue simmering the filling uncovered to help thicken the sauce, as needed.
- Spooning the mixture into 8×8 casserole dish and then top it with potatoes. Place it in the oven and bake for about 35 minutes. The filling should be hot and the potato topping lightly browned.
- Remove it from the oven and top with shredded cheddar. Return it to the oven and bake for 10 more minutes.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This allows it to cool and it will hold together better when served.
- You can substitute the beer by using 1 C of red wine.
- If you are pressed for time, you could fry the onions with the burger and use 1 bag of mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn) in place of fresh vegetables.
Enjoy this delicious classic shepherd’s pie recipe. If you want any leftovers, you better make two pans! It disappears that fast!
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