Description

Most people in the U.S. are confused about Shepherd's Pie. What we think is Shepherd's Pie is actually Cottage Pie. This one is made with beef, not lamb. It's a very satisfying and comforting dish and can be on your table in about 1 hour.

Ingredients

• 4 c. mashed potatoes from 2 lb. peeled potatoes
• 1 ½ lb. ground beef, 85% lean
• 1 onion, small diced
• 2 carrots, small diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 T. unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 T. tomato paste
• 1 c. beef stock
• 2 t. Worcestershire
• 1 t. thyme sprigs
• ½ t. salt, or to taste

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Saute ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, 7-10 minutes; remove from skillet. Add vegetables* and garlic to beef juices in skillet; cook until soft, 7-10 minutes; reduce heat to medium; add tomato paste and flour; saute until flour is completely moistened.
3. Return beef to skillet; add stock, Worcestershire sauce and thyme; simmer 5-10 minutes, until gravy thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer meat mixture into a greased, 8x8 baking dish. Spoon mashed potatoes over the meat mixture.