Beef Shepherds Pie Cheddar (Print View)
Rich ground beef mixture crowned with smooth, cheesy Cheddar mash, baked to perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1.5 lbs ground beef
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
13 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
14 - 1 cup beef stock
15 - 1 cup frozen peas
→ Cheddar Mash
16 - 2.5 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
17 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
18 - ½ cup whole milk, warmed
19 - 1½ cups sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
20 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 6–8 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned.
04 - Mix in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir well. Add beef stock, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes until thickened. Stir in frozen peas, remove from heat.
06 - Boil potatoes in salted water for 15–20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain well.
07 - Mash potatoes with butter and warm milk until smooth. Fold in grated Cheddar until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
08 - Spoon the beef filling into a large baking dish. Spread Cheddar mash evenly on top, creating peaks with a fork.
09 - Bake for 25 minutes, or until top is golden and filling is bubbling. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The Cheddar mash creates the most incredible crispy golden peaks you'll ever taste
- It feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day for lunch
- This is the kind of meal that makes people feel instantly at home in your kitchen
02 -
- Let the pie rest before serving or the filling will run everywhere when you cut it
- Cold mash is much harder to spread evenly, so keep it warm while the filling cooks
- Creating peaks with your fork isn't just for looks, they get crispy and amazing
03 -
- Don't rush softening the vegetables at the start, it's where all the flavor develops
- Warm the milk before adding to potatoes for the smoothest result
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-grated, it melts so much better