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Classic Kosher Shepherd's Pie With Ground Lamb Recipe - British recipe
I've been making shepherd's pie for years, but it wasn't until I started using ground lamb that this dish really came alive. The rich, slightly gamey flavor of lamb creates such depth compared to the usual ground beef version. It's one of those comfort foods that works perfectly for a weeknight dinner but feels special enough for company. The beauty of shepherd's pie lies in its simplicity. You're essentially building layers of flavor, starting with perfectly seasoned meat and vegetables, then topping it all with creamy mashed potatoes. The trick I've learned is to let each component shine on its own before bringing them together. I brown the lamb until it gets those crispy edges, then build the sauce slowly with good stock and fresh herbs. What makes this version particularly satisfying is how the potatoes get golden and slightly crispy on top while staying fluffy underneath. I pipe them on with a pastry bag for a restaurant-quality look, but you can absolutely just spread them with a fork and rough up the surface. Either way, you want those peaks and valleys to catch the heat and turn beautifully brown. This feeds a crowd easily and reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining. I love serving it with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. The leftovers are even better the next day, if you can resist finishing the whole pan.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: British, Jewish
Calories: 485
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Filling
  • 2 lbs ground lamb
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 medium carrots diced
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef stock kosher
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme chopped
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Potato Topping
  • 3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and quartered
  • 4 tbsp margarine kosher pareve
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened oat milk or other non-dairy milk
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Method
 

Prepare the Potatoes
  1. Place quartered potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold salted water by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender.
  2. Drain potatoes thoroughly and return to pot. Let them sit for 2 minutes to steam dry.
  3. Mash potatoes with margarine, oat milk, salt, and white pepper until smooth and creamy. Stir in parsley and set aside.
Make the Filling
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground lamb and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and crispy, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Add onion and carrots to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
  5. Gradually add beef stock, stirring constantly. Add rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
  6. Stir in frozen peas and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Assemble and Bake
  1. Transfer lamb mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
  2. Spoon mashed potatoes over the filling, or pipe using a pastry bag with a large star tip for a decorative look.
  3. Use a fork to create peaks and valleys in the potato surface to promote browning.
  4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the potatoes are golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
  5. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

This shepherd's pie can be assembled up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated before baking. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Nutrition Facts
8 servings per recipe
Serving size 1 serving
Calories 485
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g 33%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 85mg 28%
Sodium 780mg 34%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 28g 56%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.