Mashed Potato Pie. Shepherd's, Cottage, other…you choose!. Place in a pot with cold water to cover, bring to a boil, add a bit of salt if desired. Reduce heat to med/ med-high and do not cover. First off, from my research online, I realize this smashed potato shepherd's pie is technically a cottage pie, but my parents have always called it shepherd's pie (shepherd's pie= lamb chunks, cottage pie= ground beef.) Now that that is cleared up, let me explain my parents' version. Mashed Potato Pie. Shepherd's, Cottage, other…you choose!

You can cook Mashed Potato Pie. Shepherd's, Cottage, other…you choose! using 16 ingredients and 11 steps. Here is how you cook it.

Ingredients of Mashed Potato Pie. Shepherd's, Cottage, other…you choose!
  1. You need of Base.
  2. Prepare of extra light olive oil.
  3. It’s of extra lean ground beef, lamb, turkey, or veggie base (Mince)..
  4. You need of garlic, crushed.
  5. You need of hamburger seasoning or other dry seasoning (optional).
  6. It’s of thyme*.
  7. Prepare of basil*.
  8. It’s of oregano*.
  9. It’s of Pickapeppa sauce (optional for spicy flavour, but the secret ingredient!) can use Worcestershire as a substitute.
  10. It’s of Prepared Bisto (gravy) more or less to preferred.
  11. Prepare of finely chopped onion (optional).
  12. You need of Topping.
  13. Prepare of large baking potatoes.
  14. It’s of milk.
  15. Prepare of butter.
  16. It’s of shredded cheese (taco, sharp or aged cheddar, or other preference).

I don't know about you, but to me a shepherds pie is mince (generally leftover bolognese), a bunch of veggies and a thick layer of mashed potato all encased in a bowl of pastry. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large, deep skillet. We call it Shepherd's Pie but I know many call it cottage pie. Spread the mashed potatoes over the meat mixture.

Mashed Potato Pie. Shepherd's, Cottage, other…you choose! instructions

  1. *Substitute herbs for an italian blend if desired. Adjust all ingredients to taste..

  2. Heat oven to 400°F.

  3. Peel and cut potatoes into large 1-2", evenly sized chunks. Place in a pot with cold water to cover, bring to a boil, add a bit of salt if desired. Reduce heat to med/ med-high and do not cover..

  4. Heat skillet, then add olive oil. Once oil is heated and not yet smoking, add crushed garlic (and onion) saute briefly, then add mince..

  5. Before mince browns, add hamburger seasoning, basil, oregano, thyme, and Pickapeppa..

  6. Remove excess pan drippings. Prepare Bisto gravy with pan drippings (or water) and add to mince, stir well. Turn off heat..

  7. Check if potatoes are cooked by piercing with a fork. If they slide off easily they are done. Turn off heat. Drain water from potatoes. Place potatoes in the pot back on the burner with the pot lid cracked, for about 5 minutes. This dries out the potatoes so they are fluffy..

  8. Mash potatoes with a potato masher. Add milk and butter. Use a wisk and beat into a creamy consistency..

  9. Transfer mince to a casserole dish. (Optional step: add a layer of corn on top of the mince for a triple decker pie!!).

  10. Top with mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake 10-20 min to melt cheese, finish off on broil to brown cheese if desired..

  11. Serve with warmed canned corn or other veggies on the side..

For the mashed potatoes topping, boil the Maris Piper potatoes until soft. Pass through a potato ricer or sieve (optional but recommended) before adding the butter, milk and egg yolk, then mixing together. We call it Shepherd's Pie but I know many call it cottage pie. It's one of the staple dishes in our home that my mom would make all the time when I was a kid. Cottage Pie and Shepherd's Pie are very similar.