Key Ingredients: You'll need ground lamb (or beef for cottage pie), mashed potatoes, onions, carrots, peas, garlic, and beef or vegetable broth.
Brown the Meat: Start by browning the ground lamb (or beef) in a skillet with onions and garlic until cooked through. This adds depth to the flavor.
Vegetables & Broth: After browning the meat, add diced carrots, peas, and your choice of broth, and let it simmer. This creates a flavorful, rich filling.
Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes: For a creamy topping, mash boiled potatoes with butter, milk, and a pinch of salt.
Layering: In a baking dish, spread the meat and vegetable mixture as the base. Then, top it with the mashed potatoes. Smooth the top with a spatula and use a fork to create texture on top.
Golden Topping: For an extra golden and crispy top, dot the mashed potatoes with a little butter or drizzle olive oil before baking.
Bake Until Golden: Bake the shepherd’s pie in a preheated oven (400°F or 200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.