Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Recipe: https://recipestripper.com/recipes/efdef217-1c80-4050-8a44-25abc8367d8d
Original source: https://www.thewholesomedish.com/the-best-classic-shepherds-pie/
Recipe image: https://www.thewholesomedish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Best-Classic-Shepherds-Pie-550.jpg

The Best Classic Shepherd's Pie - AKA Shepards Pie or Cottage Pie. Ground Beef (or lamb) with vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes and baked.
Yield: 6
Prep time: PT20M
Cook time: PT50M
Total time: PT70M

Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 lb. 90% lean ground beef (-or ground lamb)
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic cloves (-minced)
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup frozen mixed peas & carrots*
- 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 1/2 - 2 lb. russet potatoes (-about 2 large potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (-1 stick)
- 1/3 cup half & half
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions
1. [Make the Meat Filling.] Add the oil to a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the onions.  Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. [Make the Meat Filling.] Add the ground beef (or ground lamb) to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon.  Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and and pepper.  Stir well.  Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the meat is browned, stirring occasionally.
3. [Make the Meat Filling.] Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic.  Stir to combine.  Cook for 1 minute.
4. [Make the Meat Filling.] Add the flour and tomato paste.  Stir until well incorporated and no clumps of tomato paste remain.
5. [Make the Meat Filling.] Add the broth, frozen peas and carrots, and frozen corn.  Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce to simmer.  Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. [Make the Meat Filling.] Set the meat mixture aside.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
7. [Make the potato topping.] Place the potatoes in a large pot.  Cover the potatoes with water.  Bring the water to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer.  Cook until potatoes are fork tender, 10-15 minutes.
8. [Make the potato topping.] Drain the potatoes in a colander.  Return the potatoes to the hot pot.  Let the potatoes rest in the hot pot for 1 minute to evaporate any remaining liquid.
9. [Make the potato topping.] Add butter, half & half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.  Mash the potatoes and stir until all the ingredients are mixed together.
10. [Make the potato topping.] Add the parmesan cheese to the potatoes.  Stir until well combined.
11. [Assemble the casserole.] Pour the meat mixture into a 9x9 (or 7x11) inch baking dish.  Spread it out into an even layer.  Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the meat.  Carefully spread into an even layer.
12. [Assemble the casserole.] If the baking dish looks very full, place it on a rimmed baking sheet so that the filling doesn’t bubble over into your oven.  Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.**  Cool for 15 minutes before serving.