Shepherd's Pie (Cottage Pie)

Ingredients

• ●2 pounds ground beef (or lamb)
• ●Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ●2 tablespoons olive oil
• ●1 large onion, diced
• ●3 carrots, peeled and diced
• ●3 stalks celery, diced
• ●2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ●2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ●1 cup beef or chicken stock
• ●1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• ●2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or ¾ teaspoon dried)
• ●1 bay leaf
• ●4 tablespoons butter, divided
• ●3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ●1 cup frozen peas
• ●2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
• ●½ cup whole milk
• ●½ cup sour cream
• ●1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Method

1. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it browns, for about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. In the same skillet, add the olive oil and heat over medium. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
3. Push the vegetables to the edges. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes until it darkens slightly. This deepens the paste's flavor rather than tasting raw.
4. Add the Worcestershire sauce, stock, diced tomatoes, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. The mixture should bubble gently — a rolling boil will make the filling taste reduced and tight, while a gentle simmer develops a proper sauce.
5. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of the butter with the flour to form a paste. Stir into the meat mixture — this is what thickens the sauce. Add the peas and cook for 5 more minutes. Remove the bay leaf.
6. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well and return to the pot.
7. Add the remaining butter, the milk, and the sour cream to the potatoes. Mash until smooth and creamy. Season generously with salt and pepper.
8. Preheat your broiler. Transfer the meat mixture to a 9x13 baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes over the top, working from the edges inward. Score the surface with a fork to create texture for browning. Top with the grated cheddar.
9. Broil for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese is melted and the top has golden, crispy edges. Watch carefully — it goes from perfect to burnt quickly.
10. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. The wait is worth it — the filling firms up and the layers become distinct.
11. *Storage:** Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat, covered, in a 177°C (350°F) oven for 25 minutes until heated through.
12. *Seasonal note:** The shepherd's pie versus cottage pie distinction is real: shepherd's = lamb, cottage = beef. Use whichever you prefer, but know that lamb has more fat and flavor, which means a richer final dish. The mashed potato layer can be made ahead — spread it on cold, then bake directly. For extra-crispy top, add a tablespoon of butter pats over the cheese before broiling.