Irish Cheddar Shepherd's Pie Recipe

5 from 15 votes

Shepherd's pie, with sharp Irish Cheddar mashed potatoes over a savory ground beef and vegetable mixture with a flavorful sauce, is comfort food at its finest.

Prep Time30

Cook Time45

Total Time1 15

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Irish

Servings: servings

Author: Krissy Allori

Equipment

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
2 small stalks celery chopped
3 ounces stout beer I used Guinness
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
16 ounces frozen vegetables I used Trader Joe's Organic Foursome with super sweet white corn, sweat peas, julienne sliced carrots, & green beans
2 pounds potatoes peeled and chopped (I used half russet with skin removed, half baby Dutch yellow with skin on)
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 large egg yolk
6 ounces Irish cheddar grated
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Shepherd's Pie filling:

Using a very large heavy bottom skillet, brown 1 1/2 pounds ground beef with 1 medium onion (chopped). After cooking for about 15 minutes, add 2 small stalks celery and continue cooking until meat is crumbly. Add 3 ounces stout beer and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze. Add 2 tablespoons butter and allow to melt, then sprinkle with 2 tablespoons flour and stir. Allow the flour to cook for several minutes before adding 1 cup beef broth.
Add beef broth and stir mixture well. Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, stir well, and allow gravy to thicken while the mixture cooks, about 5 minutes. Add 16 ounces frozen vegetables and allow to cook until the entire mixture is nice and hot.

Mashed Potatoes:

To make the mashed potatoes, boil 2 pounds potatoes in water over high heat until very soft and tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and mash well with 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1 large egg yolk, salt and pepper (to taste), and half of the shredded Irish cheddar.
Add the mashed potatoes to the top of your beef mixture in an even layer. Top with remaining shredded cheddar.
Broil on low for about 15 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

Notes

Cooking tips:

Save time by preparing the mashed potatoes while your meat is cooking. Homemade mashed potatoes ensure this classic meal is creamy and delicious.
I love to use frozen mixed veggies in this meal for the simple reason that they’re easy and convenient. My favorite veggies to use in shepherd’s pie is the organic foursome from Trader Joe’s. It has exactly what I want in the exact portions.
Serve warm and enjoy! This recipe keeps well for a few days if refrigerated and stored in an air tight container.

Nutrition