Daphne’s No-Nonsense Shepherd’s Pie

This classic Shepherd’s Pie layers savory ground beef and pork cooked with onions, garlic, carrots, and tomato paste under a blanket of buttery mashed potatoes. Baked until golden and bubbling, it’s the perfect cozy comfort food for family dinners or meal prepping. A must-try for anyone craving hearty, homemade casseroles.

Ingredients

Mashed Potato Topping

• 2 lbs small white potatoes, boiled and mashed with skins on

• 1 cup melted butter

• 1 cup cream

• Salt and pepper to taste

  Stir together until creamy and well-seasoned, then set aside

  Meat Filling

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 lb ground pork

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 cup finely chopped carrots (fresh or frozen)

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• Salt and Pepper to taste

  Optional: dash of paprika or thyme if you like a little lift

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef and pork, breaking it up and cooking until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.

3. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, and carrots. Simmer for 5–10 minutes until the carrots are tender and the mixture is thickened. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

4. Transfer meat mixture to a large baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with the mashed potatoes, smoothing to the edges.

5. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until bubbling at the edges and the top is starting to brown. Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end if you want a golden crust