Curried Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (2024)

By Craig Claiborne and Pierre Franey

Curried Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Rating
5(2,278)
Notes
Read community notes

This spiced version of the traditional English dish was developed in 1984 by Pierre Franey and Craig Claiborne for an article about budget-friendly meals. Here, the ground beef base is laced with curry powder, cumin and coriander then topped with a pile of fluffy, mashed potatoes dotted with green peas.

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Ingredients

Yield:6 to 8 servings

  • 6Russet potatoes, about 2 pounds, peeled and cut into 1½-inch cubes
  • Salt to taste, if desired
  • 1tablespoon peanut, vegetable or corn oil
  • ¾cup finely chopped onions
  • 1tablespoon finely minced garlic
  • 1tablespoon curry powder
  • 1teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1teaspoon ground coriander
  • 2pounds ground lean beef
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1cup crushed, canned imported tomatoes
  • ½cup fresh or canned chicken broth
  • 1teaspoon sugar
  • 2cups cooked fresh or frozen green peas
  • ½cup hot milk
  • 3tablespoons butter

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

321 calories; 12 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 26 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 30 grams protein; 787 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Curried Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Put the potatoes into a pot and add water to cover and salt to taste. Bring to the boil and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

  2. Step

    2

    As the potatoes cook, heat the oil in a skillet and add the onions and garlic over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are wilted. Add the curry powder, cumin and coriander and cook briefly, stirring.

  3. Add the meat and cook, stirring down with the side of a heavy kitchen spoon to break up the lumps. Add salt, pepper, the tomatoes, broth and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 20 to 30 minutes.

  4. Step

    4

    Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.

  5. Step

    5

    Drain the potatoes and put them through a food mill or a potato ricer back into the pot. Stir in the peas and cook briefly.

  6. Step

    6

    Add the hot milk, two tablespoons of the butter and pepper, preferably white, beating with a wooden spoon.

  7. Step

    7

    Heat an eight-cup baking dish (a souffle dish works well) and spoon the piping-hot curried meat into it. Top with the hot mashed potatoes. Smooth over the top. Dot with the remaining tablespoon of butter.

  8. Step

    8

    Run the mixture under the broiler until the top is golden brown. Serve immediately.

Ratings

5

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2,278

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Kathy Walling

Instead of stirring peas into the mashed potatoes, I put them as a layer above the meat and then put the potatoes on top of them. Beautiful looking and delicious!

Neil

Very tasty once I doubled the amount of spices in the ground beef.

Janet

This was great. I used more curry, turmeric and cumin than suggested and added some grated sharp cheddar cheese to the top.

Luddite

I find myself beginning to resent recipes that call for "imported tomatoes". Aside from the fact that they don't specify a provenance (Timbuktu, anyone?) I can't imagine that in a recipe such as this (or any other, really) domestic tomatoes wouldn't serve as well.

Diana

I have made this cottage pie twice but it was better the second time with these modifications: a) used a mix of ground beef, ground veal, sage sausage, b) reduced and thickened meat sauce by simmering longer and adding 1 T tomato paste, c) adding whisked egg to potatoes, d) topped casserole with dabs of butter and 1-2 T grated parmesan, e) baked 25 mins at 375 until top lightly golden and casserole piping hot. Much more enthusiastic reception second time around.

Brian Hamman

I made this with Pierre Franey's Pureéd Cauliflower (http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1445-pureed-cauliflower) in place of the mashed potatoes. It tasted comfortably olde timey. Great winter dish. I wimped out and used 1 tablespoon of curry but might up it to one and a half next time.

Cliff

Very nice flavor with the spices and tomatoes. However, next time I think I'll cook 3 T of flour in with the onions and garlic before I add the ground beef and broth for some thickening. And perhaps cook in an egg yolk with the potato topping. But we will make this again. In my supermarket 2 pounds of Russet potatoes was 3 potatoes. Go with the weight--the proportions between meat underneath and potatoes on top was just right.

Rebecca

Very tasty. The spices, in spite of the quantities, were not at all intrusive -- in fact I might add more hot curry. The peas in the mash were a great addition for color, taste and texture. Will do this with all future shepherd's and cottage pies. For two a half recipe made two pies -- one to eat with leftover lunch portion and one to freeze.

Tim

Double the spices regardless of your heat tolerance. It's far too bland when made with the posted amount. Turmeric makes a nice addition. A few pinches of paprika on top presents nicely.

david shepherd

Re the flour add; instead, try just letting the beef/tomato mixture simmer a while longer to reduce and thicken. This intensifies the flavor of the jus the preparation results in.

Diane

As written, everything is hot when you put it in the casserole so you just want a bit of color on the top. You can dot with butter, or brush with melted butter (my preference) and pop it in a very hot oven ~400 for 10 minutes or so until the top is to your liking. Hope this helps.

Rebecca

I made this with half the beef, a carrot, a celery stalk and garam masala in place of the spices. Used pureed rutabaga to top. It was delicious!

Martha

The original Shepherd's (leftover roast lamb) and Cottage (leftover roast beef) pie calls for the addition of HP or A1 sauce instead of the curry flavor. Taste it as you add until you have the flavor you like. Not like curry at all, so it should satisfy the curry hater in your house.

Torrey

This was so tasty! I did the meat in my cast iron skillet and once the potatoes were ready I simply added them atop the meat and into the oven it went, which saved a dish. Will definitely be making this again. I shared some with a neighbor and he said “holy traditional English dinner Batman”

SusanH

That would just be a regular Shepard's pie. Look up any recipe.

Andy

Skillet fry the peas in butter before adding. It gives just a little bit of nice crisp. This is a nice recipe.

shambler

Like others said, double the spices. Personally I would also make more mashed potatoes next time but I love potatoes. Was very tasty and I made the leftovers into empanadas.

Erin

This was a really fantastic, cozy, cold-weather meal. You definitely have to double the spices though, do not be scared! I made them in individual crocks (like the ones for French Onion Soup) and it made for a lovely presentation. Will be adding this to the normal rotation, as it was easy, very tasty, and relatively healthy! (I used a half/half ratio of potato boiling water and oat milk instead of milk, cut down on the butter, and skipped the sugar)

Jan

I didn’t love this recipe although my family thought it was good. I put it in a 9x13 pan. I added an egg to potatoes which I would leave out if I make it again. I would double or triple the mashed potatoes as we like more than just a thin layer. I doubled the spices and also added about 1/4 teaspoons of tumeric It still could have had more flavor. I added a carrot and celery which was good. Also added a tablespoon of tomato paste and some flour to thicken.

Mitchell

Double the spices

yas

Doubled the spices and it still could have used more. 2 lb of mince can handle a lot of seasoning. Used a full can of crushed tomatoes, added some tomato paste per other suggestions. Needed a long simmer to reduce the liquid. Added a layer of carrots and peas under the mashed potato, should have added them to the beef as it finished cooking.

Rebecca

I always cook the recipe to the letter the first time, and this one was a big hit! My husband’s favorite dish is cottage pie, and he really loved this version! I think next time I may add a little more spice, but it does have a lovely flavor and I like the peas in the mash. He has requested that I add this dish to our frequent rotation.

bb

I'm sure this has been said below, but this recipe should actually be called cottage pie - Shepard's pie is traditionally made with lamb - looks delicious and will try the sliced version :)

Ben The Vet

Great recipe, but here in the UK _shepherds_ pie is made from lamb (shepherds keep sheep). The same but made with beef is inexplicably called 'cottage pie'.

additions

1 1/2 T garam masala2 tsp cumin and coriander

Rebecca

Overall really good, could be a little better. Perfect to use up leftover mashed potatoes, alternated blobs of potato with mashed butternut squash. I did increase the spices but still needed a little something. Next time I'll add a little tomato paste for depth of flavor and cook the meat mixture longer, it was a little watery.

TaiL

I really enjoyed this and think it's an excellent basic recipe. I also think there are a ton of edits that could be made to this. There was too much liquid, and I had to drain it a bit. The spices are too mild, even for the most delicate palate. This makes about 10 servings. Plan to do some garlic/tomato/onion sauce to top it with, so we'll see.

Rachel

Made this tonight. After reading all the notes, added some carrot and celery with the onion, doubled the spices, and added tomato paste with the beef. Also mixed the peas in with the meat because it sounded better. This was incredible! The entire family went for seconds including my 7 year old. And even with the seconds we have enough leftovers for another dinner Will be adding to our saved recipes for sure!

heather markey

Winner

Jackie

I used only one pound of beef, about double the amount of onion, and more spices. Delicious.

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Curried Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? ›

A good shepherd's – or indeed cottage – pie, needs a solid, but fluffy top: too much milk or butter, and you'll end up with a sloppy puree instead.

How do you keep mash from sinking in shepherds pie? ›

To stop the mash sinking into the filling, allow the meat to cool before topping with the mashed potato. Freeze in individual ovenproof dishes for an easy meal for one.

Does shepherd's pie have gravy in it? ›

Talk about satisfying. Ground beef, vegetables, and gravy are baked under pillowy mashed potatoes. If it's not yet already, this will soon be a family favorite recipe.

Is shepherds pie and cottage pie the same? ›

The main difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd's pie is cottage pie uses ground beef, and Shepherd's pie uses ground lamb. Both pies are cooked with vegetables and gravy and baked under a layer of mashed potatoes. To make Shepherd's pie using this recipe, simply substitute ground lamb.

Why does shepherd's pie need to go in the oven? ›

Both ingredients are already cooked so it really only needs to be in the oven long enough for the potato to form a golden brown crust on top. Minced or ground beef is used for a Cottage Pie not a Shepherds pie.

What can I use to thicken my shepherd's pie? ›

The easiest way to thicken shepherd's pie filling is by sprinkling a few tablespoons of flour into the ground beef mixture as it cooks before adding it to the baking dish. The starch in the flour will absorb the extra liquid and create a thick gravy.

Why do people put ketchup on shepherds pie? ›

Ketchup: Ketchup will add a little tang to the ground beef mixture. Beef Broth: Beef broth creates a gravy-like consistency in the middle. Cheese: Top the shepherd's pie with extra Cheddar for a cheesy finish.

Why is my shepherd's pie so runny? ›

Why is my shepherd's pie runny? Generally, this is caused by using too much stock.

Should I put shepherds pie in the fridge? ›

Remove the baking dish from the oven, sprinkle a few extra herbs on top if you would like, then dish up your servings while the shepherd's pie is still nice and warm. Or store the pie in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

What can I use instead of Worcestershire in shepherd's pie? ›

Soy sauce: Soy sauce offers a savory, umami-rich flavor that can substitute for Worcestershire sauce. Use it in equal parts or adjust to taste. Balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar adds a slightly sweet and tangy flavor, similar to Worcestershire sauce. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

What is a shepherds pie called when it is made from beef? ›

The two English terms have been used interchangeably since they came into use in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, although some writers insist that a shepherd's pie should contain lamb or mutton, and a cottage pie, beef.

Does shepherd's pie have cheese in it? ›

Brown meat in a large skillet. While the meat is browning, mix potatoes, cream cheese, 1/2 cup shredded cheese, and garlic until well blended. Drain meat. Return to skillet; stir in vegetables and gravy.

What country invented shepherds pie? ›

The dish originates from the British Isles, but some might argue that it is an Irish dish by origin. The name "Shepherd's Pie" was first recorded in an 1877 cookbook. In this same cookbook, it was noted that the dish was of Scottish origin. During the period between the 18th and 19th centuries, money was very tight.

What is an interesting fact about shepherd's pie? ›

According to the Oxford Companion to Food, once upon a time, Scotland made its shepherd's pies with pastry instead of mashed potatoes. Indian cooks once considered shepherd's pie to be a perfect dish for tiffin (a word used to mean a light snack in British India).

Why is shepherds pie called chinese pie? ›

Most workers ate their meat, potatoes and corn separately but workers of mainly Asian origins, combined their rations to create shepherd's pie, a more communal dish. The French-Canadian railway workers liked this new concoction, adopted the dish, and called it “pâté chinois”, which loosely translates to Chinese pie.

How do I stop the bottom of my pie being soggy? ›

Brush the Bottom with Corn Syrup or Egg White

Coating the inside surface of the bottom crust will create a barrier to prevent sogginess.

Why is the bottom of my meat pie soggy? ›

If the bottom crust doesn't set before the filling soaks in, it's going to be gummy. A metal pie pan placed on a preheated surface will set the bottom crust quickest; once cooked, the liquids from the filling above won't soak in, and as a result: no soggy bottom.

How to make shepherd's pie less soupy? ›

Why is my Shepherd's Pie soupy? If your casserole is too runny, chances are you either didn't add enough flour to thicken the gravy or you didn't simmer it long enough to reduce the liquid. Also, make sure your potatoes are thoroughly drained before making the mashed potatoes, so the topping is not too sloppy.

How to fix dry shepherd's pie in the oven? ›

From the Fridge
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Remove the shepherd's pie from the refrigerator.
  3. Place the shepherd's pie in an oven-safe container.
  4. Cover the container with tin or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss.
  5. Cook the dish for a predetermined duration.
  6. Remove the shepherd's pie from the oven.
Mar 22, 2022

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