Thanks Neil, I always believed that Shepherd's Pie was made from lamb, but even in the "Irish Pubs" here in the states it is made with ground beef. Did learn what Bisto is, always nice to learn something new in the field of cultural cooking. My Irish-American brother-in-law enjoys Shepherd's Pie, now I will be able to properly prepare it for him.

I cant believe all these years I have messed up this recipe with the lack of knowledge to fork the potatoes in to a basket pattern. Forgive me for my short comings!

For god's sake people, both pro and con, relax. Food is food is food. "Proper" shepherd's pie IS made with lamb, not with beef. That said, lots of folks use beef 'cos they don't like lamb. WHATEVER. Make it the way you like. Though the recipe posted here is really the way to go if you want an authentic shepherd's pie. But try it withe ground beef if you like. Or ground duck. Or textured vegetable protein. Or ground moose or seal. It's all good.

If you look it up, it's only since the late 20th century that the UK started using Cottage for beef and Shepherd's for mutton. For over 200 years prior to that, "cottage" and "shepherd's" were the same recipe, and they called for "red meat".

Yes the comment was uncalled for about Americans putting cheese on everything. And yes he does sound snobbish...no I don't know what Bisto is. There are nice ways to correct people and it is always good to learn something about other cultures.

I personally would eat the cottage pie before I would the shepherds pie, but shepherds pie is more fun to say.

I was born in Ireland and we called it Shepherds pie. I was taught to ground 2 pounds of meat with onions (whichever you choose, I use ground beef) then in a large skillet I put carrots, peas and corn (my kids love the texture, so be it) then I make the Bisto (which can be found at Amazon for about $3.00 to $5.00) to a very thick consistency and simmer all the ingredients for about 10 minutes, put in a casserole pan, top with potatoes and cook in the oven until the potatoes are browned (about 30 minutes) Some of my kids like cheese again so be it, they add it on there own. Most of the time I use real potatoes if do not have the time or just plain don't feel like peeling and boiling I heat up Bob Evans family size usually 3 of them with butter and salt and pepper, no one can tell the difference. The Bisto really does make the difference in the taste.

My grandmother was full Irish and I was taught the same as you, minus carrots. She always topped it with hoop cheese. It was the best! It was and is called Shepherd's Pie ;)

I had no idea Cooks.com was as controversial as the Hollywood blogs! I find all your comments quite cute and humorous, life is too short to be taken so seriously. I won't tell you how I make my Shepherd's pie; it would cause mutiny for sure. I just realize its wrong, and I can accept that. By the way I'm Canadian. We tend to put cheese on everything as well :)

To all, My son asked me to make shepherd's pie, his friend at work said it is so good. I asked my son for the recipe and he told me it was made with chopmeat and mashed potatoes. "Mom just get the recipe on line", so I did and I cannot believe that with times as hard as they are all of you are so petty.

This recipe is wonderful and I think making comment such as the one "Neil, the Brit" did on the other recipe was uncalled for. What are you the RECIPE POLICE??? LOL!!!

Neil,

I am an American, and I found what you said...HILARIOUS!!! I too have thought that "Americans" obsession with cheese is down right insane. Look at american cheese for example... It's not even REAL cheese...it's "cheese food!" McDonalds, and most fast food joints, put that crap on just about EVERYTHING. You know we (Americans) go overboard when many people put cheese on apple pie! Cheese, on friut pie?!?!? YUCK! LOL. GO NEIL!

People need to get a more relaxed life and laugh at the world once in a while. Too many people don't have a sense of humor...as we can clearly see from the above comments.
CHEERS!

Submitted By: Michelle- an American

Hey Neil... did you comment anyone else's recipes because I want to read them.... you're hysterical! Never thought I get a good laugh out of a recipe. Oh and I liked Vanessa's version better. Its just as delicious and its easy. plus... CHEESE IS GOOD.

We mostly raise cattle in my part of the country. Perhaps we could call it "cowboy pie" or "chuck wagon surprise!" Thanks ya'all for the entertaining comments. I just googled for Shepherd's pie 'cause my momma used to make it and I needed something simple for dinner. I got more than I asked for, but learned alot about human diversity. Adios amigos.

As much as you may know the difference between shepherds pie and cottage pie, you don't have to be snob in expressing it. in fact, new variations of recipes are created everyday, you have a right to your opinion, but leave people to their creativity.

I am English and was raised on Shepherd's pie. This a wonderful recipe, particularly the slow cooking of the minced lamb. I like to add a 1/2 teaspoon of cumin to the meat. If I use beef I try to use ground sirloin steak as this is hopefully more tender than regular ground beef.
Carry on Neil!!!!

Please, everyone. Just ignore this guy, he's asinine, and being a Troll. Neil is making rude comments in hopes to get a rise out of everyone, so he can sit back and enjoy the fact that he got under your skin.

By the way... "There is now a popular tendency for "shepherd's pie" to be used when the meat is mutton or lamb, with the suggested origin being that shepherds are concerned with sheep and not cattle, however this may be an example of folk etymology, which is a false etymology is any assumed or postulated etymology that is incorrect."

Wikipedia and the all-knowing Google give us all the answers we need.
Neil is just some yokel who doesn't understand.

So, simpleton, why don't you go take your argument up with the dictionaries?

Guess he got under your skin huh? :)

Seriously? All this (and yes, me too) have to chime in on Neil's comments. How very amusing. Shepherd's Pie was originally lamb and if you ask for Shepherd's Pie that is what you'd get in the UK. That said, a less rigid interpretation is pretty much any minced/ground meat with veggie and a potato covering. Like that other Brit said, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet". Yum!
UK born /US bred

Wow I got on this site looking for Popcorn balls believe it or not, but hey I got a good laugh in the end. By the way... I grew up with this basic dish being called potato casserole. Go figure.

Just going to throw this question out there though... is lamb red meat? I was looking to modify with sausage because my body will not tolerate red meat. Never thought about lamb.