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Shepherd's pie for kids

An easy recipe for a delicious homemade shepherd's pie...

★★★★☆ Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars. 10 Ratings
Rate this recipe
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Serves 4
  • Freezable

Preparation

Total time
1 Hr
Preparation time
5 Mins
Cooking time
55 Mins
  • 500g lamb mince (or beef for cottage pie)

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 4 carrots, chopped

  • 2 garlic (cloves), crushed

  • 500ml stock

  • 200g chopped tomatoes

  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 tsp mixed herbs

  • 850g potatoes

  • 25g butter

  • 100g cheddar cheese, grated

  1. Preheat oven to 180'C/Gas mark 4

  2. Place the meat in a large frying pan and heat gently, stirring frequently, until the meat begins to brown

  3. Add the onions carrots and garlic and continue to cook for 10 minutes - stir in the stock and tomatoes and bring to the boil

  4. Add the Worcestershire sauce and herbs cover the pan and simmer gently for 25 mins giving it the occasional stir

  5. Meanwhile cook the potatoes in boiling water until tender, then drain and mash, mixing in the butter (don't use too much butter, you want the mash to be quite firm)

  6. Turn the meat into an ovenproof dish - add on the mashed potato and smooth over

  7. Cook for approximately 30 minutes until the potatoes are golden brown

You will need

Frying pan - This non-stick induction-ready pan from the Amazon Basics range is just what you need. See more details here at Amazon.

Oven dish - This durable baking/roasting (or even serving) dish is 26 x 18cm, which makes it ideal for bakes, casseroles and pies. See more details here at Amazon.

Tips

Kids can help by grating cheese and mashing potatoes. Older kids can even help with crushing the garlic and chopping the veg.

Variations

Adding a tin of baked beans to the mixture if you've got extra people staying for supper; it also adds a nice flavour

Using parsnips or mushrooms instead of the carrots

For a vegetarian option, use Quorn or veggie mince and vegetarian Worcester sauce - don't cook the mince first though - add with the stock and tomatoes

For a tasty, crispy topping add a little grated cheese over the mashed potato for the last 10 minutes of cooking time

Reviews

★★★★☆ Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars. 10 Ratings
Rate this recipe
  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Very nice I added beans, a chopped corgette and used balsamic glaze instead of cheese ontop delish. Had a happy toddler and a happy young boy.

    Reviewed on 22/01/20

  • Rebecca B(1451)

    ★☆☆☆☆ Rated 1 out of 5 stars.

    Ho. What flavour stock please? Also of I am substituting chopped tomatoes for passata, do I still use the same amount? Thanks

    Reviewed on 15/05/16

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    easy to make and a great family staple, fed my family of hungry boys with no complaints and empty plates, so must be good

    Reviewed on 30/11/15

  • Anthea H(11)

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    This is a lovely recipe and I love the traditional method too. Many people think that shepherd's pie is made with beef but, of course, it is made with lamb and is much tastier too. Thank you for this.

    Reviewed on 29/11/15

  • rebecca d(150)

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    This recipe was simple and delicious the whole family loved it.

    Reviewed on 22/11/15

  • Charlotte H(760)

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    I make this for my daughter who is nearly 3 and freeze it in portions, she loves it. We're vegetarian so I use quorn mince but I do fry it 1st even though the recipe tip says otherwise and I use frozen mixed veg- peas, carrots and sweetcorn- instead of the veg it suggests in the recipe. Great recipe for batch cooking & a definite winner with fussy eaters.

    Reviewed on 23/07/15

  • Guest

    ★★★☆☆ Rated 3 out of 5 stars.

    A little bit stodgy but if you like stodgy and you like beans this can just hit the spot

    Reviewed on 29/04/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Hey guys, This is not to bad for this recipe...Looks very tasty in fact.

    Reviewed on 07/04/15

  • Guest

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Tasty and easy to make, perfect warm meal for kids!

    Reviewed on 05/03/15

  • Lucy B(1045)

    ★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

    Was gorgeous! I added the baked beans which made it even thicker and tastier! Fabulous meal all round :-)

    Reviewed on 09/01/15

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