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Jamie Oliver Shepherd’s Pie

jamie oliver shepherds pie
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Jamie Oliver Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional British baked dish made with minced lamb cooked in a thick gravy with vegetables and herbs, topped with smooth mashed potatoes and baked until lightly golden. Unlike cottage pie, which uses beef, shepherd’s pie is always made with lamb.

Ingredients

Scale

For the lamb filling

    • 500g minced lamb

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    • 1 large onion, finely chopped

    • 2 carrots, diced small

    • 2 cloves garlic, minced

    • 1 tablespoon tomato purée

    • 1 tablespoon plain flour

    • 350ml lamb or beef stock

    • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary or thyme, finely chopped

    • Sea salt

    • Freshly ground black pepper

For the mashed potato topping

    • 1 kg floury potatoes, peeled and chopped

    • 50g butter

    • 3–4 tablespoons milk

    • Sea salt

    • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Potatoes for the Mash

Place the potatoes in a large pan of salted cold water. Bring to the boil and cook for 15–18 minutes until completely tender. Drain well and allow them to steam dry for a minute to remove excess moisture.

Step 2: Mash the Potatoes

Mash the potatoes with butter and milk until smooth and creamy. Season well with salt and black pepper, then set aside while you prepare the filling.

Step 3: Brown the Lamb

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced lamb and cook until evenly browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Proper browning adds depth and prevents a bland filling.

Step 4: Add Vegetables and Aromatics

Stir in the chopped onion and carrots. Cook gently for 6–8 minutes until softened and lightly golden. Add the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.

Step 5: Build the Gravy

Stir in the tomato purée and flour, cooking for 1 minute to remove any raw taste. Gradually add the stock while stirring, then add herbs.

Step 6: Simmer the Filling

Lower the heat and simmer gently for 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Step 7: Assemble the Shepherd’s Pie

Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Spoon the lamb mixture into a baking dish and spread evenly. Top with the mashed potatoes, smoothing or roughing up the surface with a fork.

Step 8: Bake Until Golden

Bake for 25–30 minutes until the pie is bubbling around the edges and the mash is lightly golden on top. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Find it online: https://jamieolivereats.uk/shepherds-pie/