What is your best shepherd's/cottage pie recipe?

[Fedupofplaystation]

Ideally with plenty of hidden veg, not too unhealthy.

That can be frozen.

I find mine always turn out a little bland and I've got friends with their two children visiting next weekend and wanted to make this one evening this week and freeze.

Thank you.

[Fairyfellowsmasterstroke]

For the main "pie" bit I brown minced beef and drain off the fat. I then soften an onion, some celery stalks, diced carrots and swede before combining with the mince and a good splodge of brown sauce.

I then add a tin of chopped toms and some gravy granules.
Simmer for 25mins - pour into casserole dish.

Meanwhile I boil potatoes and sweet potatoes which I then mash with a bit of swede.

Spoon this onto the meat mixture, sprinkle with a bag of beefy crisps and bake for 30mins.

I serve with green beans and sweetcorn.

[Fedupofplaystation]

Thank you. That sounds yummy.

[Wyfee]

Google 'spiced parsnip shepherd's pie'. It's a lovely bbc good food recipe.

[AMumInScotland]

Mine has mince - nice lean stuff - carrots, stock cubes, tomato puree, mustard powder and Lea & Perrins sauce. Definitely not bland!

I just put mashed potato on the top, then a layer of grated cheese.
I'm sure you could sneak a few more vegetables in there if you tried...

[maybeIwillmaybeIwont]

Dry fry an onion, add mince (not high fat %) beef or lamb, turn over in fry pan until thoroughly brown, add frozen peas , add stock cube/ stockpot, keep turning, add some water and then add beef/lamb gravy granules. Meanwhile start boiling potatoes (cubed) , wait until finished ( keep stirring mince) drain and then mash with butter/ milk/egg/cheese until smooth.

Put mince etc., into shallow dish, spoon potato on top, finish with grated cheese and sliced tomatoes. Put in oven for 30 minutes. Serve with fresh veg, better the second day. And yes you can add sweet potato, butternut squash, peppers, etc., whatever you have left in the fridge (sweetcorn).

[theladywiththelamp]

Mine very similar to AmuminScotlands, mince from butcher, onion, garlic clove, frozen peas, carrot, beef stock, reduced salt gravy granules, lea and perrins, squeeze HP sauce, squeeze tom sauce, and the kicker: a really good squirt of the smooth branston pickle - makes a huge difference to the taste.
Then cover with mash and cheese. Serve with green beans and .

Kids leeeeerrrrve it. (No wine for them, obvs.)

[Rainydayblues]

I use leftover meat from a roast, add in the leftover veggies and gravy and then I'll play around with additions if needed. If I no leftovers I'll cook a joint in the slow cooker. Mash with lots of butter and Maldon sea salt and a bit of milk or cream if I have some hanging around to loosen it up. No cheese. I don't eat potatoes so I make my mash with carrots and parsnip. And I like it served with a vinegary salad.

[fruitpastille]

I put a teaspoon of cinnamon in mine.

[mupperoon]

Definitely add a glass or so of red wine when the mince is simmering - even for kids. All the alcohol will boil off before the onions and carrots cook so you won't be poisoning them.

Mince with some fat in it (not drained off) tastes less bland than the hyper-lean stuff. Sorry, healthy people, it just does!

Add a bay leaf or two and a small amount of thyme, Lea & Perrins, and a teaspoon of Marmite if after all that it still doesn't taste umami enough.

[MERLYPUSSEDOFF]

I brown mince then remove and cook onion, celery, carrot and swede. Bung the mince back and sometimes add mushroom and pepper if they need using up. Squidge of garlic and tomato puree, water and gravy granules and - impotant bit - a can of basic baked beans. Makes a lush gravy and shep pie wouldn't be the same without them. (and more economical)
I freeze the mince bit and do the potoato fresh. Needs cheese on top for max calories!

[Mrsgrumble]

Love the beefy crisps idea!

All I was going to suggest was mustard powder and a little garlic Salt if yo want

Sping onions in the mash