30 Minute Shepherd's Pie – Comfort Food in a Flash!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Rated 4.5 Stars by 734 time-pressed cooks! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Ready in just 40 minutes - half the time of traditional recipes!
• Perfect weeknight comfort food the whole family will love.
• Great for using leftover ingredients and easy to customize.

Tools You'll Need

Ingredients

• 2 pounds potatoes, such as russet, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons sour cream or softened cream cheese
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 cup cream (or vegetable/chicken broth for lighter version)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 3/4 pounds ground beef or ground lamb
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup beef stock or broth
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain and pour into a bowl.
2. Combine sour cream, egg yolk and cream. Add to potatoes and mash until almost smooth.
3. While potatoes boil, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat.
4. Add oil to hot pan with beef or lamb. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Brown and crumble meat for 3-4 minutes. Spoon away excess fat if using lamb.
6. Add chopped carrot and onion to the meat. Cook veggies with meat 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
7. In a second small skillet over medium heat, cook butter and flour together 2 minutes.
8. Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy 1 minute.
9. Add gravy to meat and vegetables. Stir in peas.
10. Preheat broiler to high.
11. Fill flameproof casserole with meat mixture. Spoon potatoes over meat evenly.
12. Top potatoes with paprika and broil 6-8 inches from heat until potatoes are evenly browned.
13. Top with chopped parsley and serve immediately! 

Pro Tips

• Potato perfection: Cut potatoes into small, even cubes for faster cooking.
• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of thyme or rosemary to the meat mixture.
• Make sure your casserole dish is broiler-safe to get that perfect golden-brown top.

Recipe Variations

• Turkey Version: Use ground turkey and chicken broth for a lighter option.
• Vegetarian: Substitute meat with lentils and use vegetable broth.
• Extra Veggies: Add corn, green beans, or mushrooms to the filling.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble completely, refrigerate, and broil just before serving. Add 5-10 minutes to broiling time if cold.

What if I don't have a broiler-safe dish?
You can bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes instead of broiling.

Can I freeze shepherd's pie?
Absolutely! Freeze before baking. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and bake at 375°F for 30-40 minutes.

So there you have it - the ultimate 30 Minute Shepherd's Pie that proves comfort food doesn't have to take all day! 

If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments whether you used beef or lamb.