Coming in hot today with a White Cheddar Shepherds Pie to rock your world!! This recipe is one of Thomas' favorites and it's a wonder it hasn't made an appearance on WGC until now...
Who doesn't love a good shepherds pie? This classic British dish is usually made with ground lamb or beef, but it can be adapted to use whatever meat you have on hand. Today, we're making a white cheddar version that is perfect for the holidays. Enjoy!
Thomas and I met back in the college days. It's actually quite a funny story if you've never read it - I basically manifested it before I even got to college. Anyways, we both played on the tennis team and Thomas' coach frequently had both teams over to his house for a Shepherds Pie evening! It was the highlight of Thomas' month and he always begged me to replicate once we moved to Los Angeles.
After months and months of trials, I'm happy to report This White Cheddar Shepherds Pie is actual perfection! The base is the traditional ground beef mixture and then it's topped with a cheesy white cheddar mashed potato situation that is incredible. The combo of everything together is fantastic. I'm obsessed. Thomas is obsessed. Poppy is obsessed. You'll see us eating this for the rest of these colder months!
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
Did you love this Shepherds Pie Recipe? If so check out these other awesome winter dishes:
- Sweet Potato Gratin
- Chili Con Carne
- Garlic Red Wine Braised Short Ribs with Creme Fraiche Mash
- Vegetarian Quinoa Bake
- Turkey Spaghetti Bake
- Baked Ravioli
- Cheesy Baked Gnocchi
White Cheddar Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
Potato Topping
- 2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and quartered
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup white cheddar shredded
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Chives (optional)
Meat Filling
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 6 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 large carrots peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1½ tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme finely chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium high heat and cook for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Once fork tender, drain the potatoes, then return to the pot. Add the milk, butter, cheddar, salt and pepper and mash until creamy.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large oven-safe baking dish, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and saute for 5-10 minutes. Add the garlic the last minute and saute until fragrant. Add the beef and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up as needed, until the meat is browned.
- Add the stock, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until the sauce is slightly thickened. Add the frozen peas and stir together. Remove from the heat and flatten the meat mixture into a single layer. Dollop the mashed potatoes on top of the meat and use a spoon to spread it flat to the edges, swooping the spoon to create some peaks and crevasses.
- Bake the shepherd's pie until the top is barely golden, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly and serve.
Notes
- Try any cheese you'd like in the potatoes - I just recommend one that has a strong or sharp flavor so it stands up to the other ingredients!
- Add some red wine in place of some or all of the beef broth.
This was PERFECT FOR my family (two kids husband and I). It’s a regular now.
Does the meat need drained prior to adding the other ingredients? I don’t want it greasy but I don’t want to lose flavor. I am using 80/20.
You could drain off a bit of the fat - but TBH, I rarely do a drain bc I'm lazy and I like the flavor
Could I make this ahead of time? Like earlier in the day or day before? Thanks!
yes you absolutely can!
This feels like a hug. Amazing… just like everything you make!
Wow! This was incredible. Moist, easier than most and had the whole family taking seconds. Thank you so much Gaby!
Yum! I’ve made shepherd’s/cottage pie many times, but this is the first time with Gaby’s recipe. It’s easier than my usual recipe, and the results were delicious. And we have two more dinners and a lunch in the freezer to enjoy.
Is it really safe to use the oval baker on a gas stove to cook the veggies and meat ? I’ve never done that before - only used it in the oven!
ya - totally safe
Made this for dinner last night and it was the PERFECT meal for a cold winter night! So delicious!!
Absolutely delish! What type of ground beef would be recommended 80/20 or leaner?
80/20 is always my preferred!! fat = flavor
Thank you for an EXCELLENT!! recipe!! Easy! Delicious and I can feed a big group!
Amazing recipe!
This was SO bomb. Such a warm, elevated comfort dish for a cold night! I will definitely be making again.
This was so good! I didn't have celery on hand, so I skipped it. And I had a frozen peas and carrot mix so that was another little shortcut. I added a little pinch of herbes de provence. Used TJ's unexpected cheddar in the potatoes. Man oh man this was sooooo tasty! Definitely going in the dinner rotation at our house. Thank you, Gaby!
I have for many years used my recipe from the Australian Women's weekly.
I thought I would give this one a try as it was much simpler . Well this is my new go to as voted by the family.
I substituted corn for the peas as per my son's taste .
Absolutely delicious
Hi Gaby, would this freeze well? I’m meal prepping for postpartum and this sounds delicious — thanks!!
yes it sure would!