A Family Favourite: Shepherd's Pie (Pastel de Carne)

There's something incredibly comforting about a shepherd's pie on a cold night. It's a dish that warms you from the inside out. This easy Shepherd's Pie recipe is a delicious and timeless family favorite.

Who doesn't love meat and potatoes? Shepherd's Pie is filling, delicious and comforting. The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Don't have red wine? No problem, substitute it with broth or even water. Feel free to add your favorite chopped vegetables to the filling, like celery, bell peppers, or mushrooms.  Want to add a cheesy element? Sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese over the meat mixture before adding the mashed potatoes. Plus, it's surprisingly easy to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special.

Why You'll Love This Classic Shepherd's Pie:

This isn't just another Shepherd's Pie recipe; it's a guaranteed family favorite.

• Quick & Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
• Healthy & Nutritious: Packed with protein, magnesium, and essential vitamins.
• Hearty & Delicious: It doesn't get much better than meat and potatoes.
• Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
• Versatile: Customize it with your favorite herbs, spices, and vegetables.
• Leftovers: This is one of those dishes that tastes even better reheated. You can make a big batch and enjoy it all over again for lunch or dinner tomorrow.

Tips for Success

• Perfectly Mashed Potatoes: For the smoothest mash, use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. If you don't have one, a good old-fashioned potato masher will work just fine. Avoid over-mixing, as this can make the potatoes gluey.
• Don't Skip the Deglazing: Deglazing the pan with red wine adds a depth of flavor to the sauce. The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a rich, savory essence.
• Resting is Key: Letting the pie cool for at least 10 minutes before serving allows the filling to set and prevents a runny mess when you cut into it.
• Make it in an oven safe skillet: Cooking everything in the same skillet you serve it in not only reduces dishes, it allows you to keep all the delicious flavours you've built. Transferring to a baking dish will cause you to lose some of that.

Ready to make the best Shepherd's Pie? Ditch the takeout menus and whip up a batch of this satisfying, beginner-friendly meal. It offers protein, veggies, and carbs all in one pan.

Shepherd's Pie (Pastel de Carne)

• 4 large russet or yellow potatoes
• 1 Tbsp oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 sweet onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 carrot (diced)
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup frozen peas
• Oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt + pepper ( to taste)
• ½ cup red wine*
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• ½-1 cup whole milk
• 4 Tbsp butter

1. Peel potatoes and cut into 1" cubes. Place in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Cook until fork tender, drain, and mash. Stir in milk, butter, and salt and pepper.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large, oven safe skillet** over medium heat. Drizzle with olive oil. Once hot (a drop of water sizzles), add ground beef and brown, breaking it up as it cooks.
3. Once meat is brown, add onion and carrots. Cook until onions are soft and translucent.
4. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, 1 minute. Add corn and peas. Stir to combine. Add spices to taste.
5. Deglaze with red wine. Let it cook down, then stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste. If the meat base is too thick, you can add a few tablespoons of water.
6. Turn off the heat.
7. You can optionally sprinkle some cheese over your meat base.
8. Then, smooth your mashed potatoes over top.
9. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes.
10. Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving, to allow your ‘pie’ to set up.

*You can substitute with broth or even water in a pinch

**If you don’t have an oven safe skillet, you can transfer everything to a greased 9x13 baking dish instead

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