Shepherd’s Pie is a hearty and comforting meal made with veggies and ground lamb in a gravy-like sauce that’s baked under a layer of creamy mashed potatoes. You’ll most likely see this on your Irish or British Pub’s menu as this originates from the UK. With this recipe being Whole30-approved, we’ll go ahead and call it damned near nutritious. I love having leftovers of Shepherd’s Pie because it heats well in the microwave, making it perfect for meal prep. Or – my favorite – if you’re feeling cheeky, a cold winter’s day with a tall glass of Guinness.
This recipe was found and made from the Whole30 Cookbook
Shepherd’s Pie (Whole30)
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4
servingsIngredients
1 1/2 lbs. ground lamb*
1 onion, diced
2 large carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
6oz. green beans, blanched and cut into half's or thirds (or frozen!)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/3 teaspoon ground or fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon paprika
3/4 cup to 1 cup of chicken stock
pinch of red pepper flakes
salt and pepper as needed
- For the Mashed Potatoes
3 large New or Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Cold water as needed
1 cup almond milk*
1 clove garlic, minced
1 sprig fresh thyme
salt and pepper as needed
2 tablespoons clarified butter or ghee
Directions
Preheat Oven to 400 degrees F
Heat a sauté pan over medium high heat. Add the ground lamb and cook 3-4 minutes until fat has begun to render and the beef is starting to brown. If needed, drain excess fat.
Add the onions, celery, and carrots. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Cook 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are soft and the beef is completely browned. Add the tomato paste, distributing throughout the pan
Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 45 seconds). Add the green beans and ¼ cup of the stock, stir to combine. Keep on low-heat, while adding more stock until the filling is "moist" (sorry people). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Begin to cook the potatoes. Add the potatoes to a large pot and cover with cold water by 2". Add a generous pinch of salt and boil for 10-12 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender. As the potatoes are cooking, add the almond milk, garlic, ghee, and thyme (if using) to a small sauce pan. Heat until the butter has melted and it is hot to the touch.
Drain the potatoes and return to the pot. Remove the thyme from the almond milk. Mash the potatoes while slowing adding the milk. Mash until desired consistency achieved. I like mine creamy.
When ready to ensemble, transfer the filling to a 9x9 baking dish or 12” round dish (it can also be cooked and baked in a cast-iron skillet). Spoon over the mashed potatoes and spread evenly, smoothing the top with the back of a spatula or spoon. If desired, use a fork to create a swirl pattern in the potatoes. Dot with more ghee (if desired) and bake 30 minutes. Broil for 5 minutes until the potatoes are golden brown.
Notes
- To blanch fresh green beans, boil them in salted water for 2 minutes until vibrant green. Transfer immediately to ice water to stop cooking. You may also use thawed green beans.
- You can absolutely use whole milk for the potatoes
- Potatoes and filling can be made the day ahead!
- You can use ground beef, and the dish will be called Cottage Pie. Thank you to a follower for the teaching!
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This does NOT look like deprivation or punishment! WholeDelicious!
RIGHT!! Thanks girl.
I have not cooked with coconut or almond milk, because I don’t like the flavor by itself. Can you taste it in the mashed potatoes? Or could I just use the starchy water and get the same affect?
Hi Jenny! I recommend using unsweetened almond milk. You won’t be able to taste it at all especially after steeping it with the garlic. I think coconut milk will be too strong of flavor, and I can’t promise the outcome with starchy water.
Great thank you! I will give it a shot!
I may or may not have had this for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner today. A total must for every whole30 I ever do moving forward. Thank you so much for this heaven sent meal!!
Girl I feel you, I lived on this for three days. Thanks for making 🙂
Sorry to be pedantic, Shepards pie is cooked with Lambs mince. This is cottage pie
Thanks Mel! I have updated some of the wordage in the recipe.
One of my fave dishes and an awesome adjustment for Whole30 but you should know 2 things:
1) As this is made with beef, this is Cottage Pie not Shepherd’s Pie which is made actually with lamb (hence the name Shepherd’s…)
2) It’s Paddy’s Day not Patty’s Day – Patty is short for Patricia and a female abbreviation, the appropriate abbreviation for Patrick is Paddy (coming from the Irish Gaelic for Patrick, Padraig) or Pat NOT Patty! By calling St. Patrick’s Day Patty’s you’ve inadvertently insulted your Irish readership – for reference I was born and raised in Ireland and still live there so not making this up…
Hi! Thanks for all of the information. I should have done my research before posting, as I was adapting the recipe right from the W30 cookbook. I’ve switched up some wordage in the recipe and made a note. Thank you again! I hope you come back for more recipes.
Do you need to drain the fat once the ground beef has finished cooking? I’ve had a couple recipes turn out totally oily and greasy because I’ve left the fat in the pan… what do you recommend?
Hi Maddie! It depends on how fatty the beef is and it’s totally up to your preference. I usually work with lean beef (and add my own fat), so draining isn’t necessary. If your beef renders a lot of fat, draining won’t hurt! Enjoy 🙂
Any reason you didn’t start cooking the spuds before you make the filling? Seems like doing them after makes it take quite a bit longer than it would doing them at the same time?
Hi Hannah! The potatoes only take 10-12 minutes to cook considering they are chopped into small/medium dice pieces before boiling, and the recipe does not require a lot of potatoes. The filling takes a few minutes longer to cook especially to let the flavors mend. I suggested preparing the filling before the tots for that reason, however do whatever you’re comfortable with. I have “do ahead” tips in the notes if that helps.