Irish Shepherd's Pie

This Irish shepherd's pie made with ground lamb and veggies baked under Irish Cheddar-mashed potatoes is Chef John's version of a comfort food classic.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
• Calories: 517 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 pounds lean ground lamb
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
• 1 (12 ounce) package frozen peas and carrots, thawed
• 0.33333334326744 cup all-purpose flour
• 2.5 cups water, or as needed
• 0.125 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 cup cream cheese
• 2.5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and halved
• 0.25 pound Irish cheese (such as Dubliner®), shredded

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown and sauce is bubbling up around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 3

Place olive oil and butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in ground lamb and onion; cook and stir until meat is brown and crumbly, about 10 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in flour until incorporated. Mix in garlic, ketchup, rosemary, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper; cook and stir until garlic is fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in water, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the Dutch oven. Reduce heat to medium-low and bring mixture to a simmer; cook and stir until thick, 5 to 6 minutes.

Step 6

Remove lamb mixture from heat, then stir in peas and carrots until combined.

Step 7

Spread lamb mixture into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish; set aside.

Step 8

Place potatoes into a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well and return potatoes to the pot.

Step 9

Mash Irish cheese, cream cheese, butter, and cayenne pepper into potatoes until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.

Step 10

Whisk together egg yolk and milk in a small bowl; stir into mashed potato mixture.

Step 11

Top lamb mixture in the baking dish with mashed potatoes; spread evenly to cover.