Good Eats Shepherd’s Pie

Alton Brown shows us a simple recipe for the ultimate Winter comfort food—Shepherd’s Pie.

Alton Brown shows us a simple recipe for the ultimate Winter comfort food—Shepherd’s Pie.

In this episode of Good Eats, Alton Brown breaks down the ingredients and method to making a hearty winter favorite.

Shepherd’s Pie—also known as Cottage Pie—has been tantalizing our taste buds and comforting our cold, weary souls since 1791. Can you believe that?

So what exactly is a shepherd’s pie? Typically, it is a stew of ground meat and vegetables, topped with a hearty layer of mashed potatoes.

Traditionally, the meat is lamb or mutton (hence the “shepherd” moniker), but modern versions have included beef or a combination or beef and lamb. The meat is stewed with a healthy mix of vegetables—carrots, peas, and corn—to add an extra layer of flavor.

Shepherd’s Pie is a great dish to make for a quick weekday dinner, or if you’re expected a small amount of company. Make the mashed potatoes ahead of time, or use leftovers to top the stew to make this dish even easier!

Helpful tip: Make sure you don’t overcook the potatoes! The recipe requires an additional 25 minutes of oven baking, so an overcooked mashed potato will result in a dry topping.

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