Congratulations All! What an interesting recipe review! Do you realize this thread is one year old? Keep it going, please, but do remember to spell it correctly--shepherd's. It's like sheep w/o one 'e' and herd like herder--one who herds sheep. That said, my mom of French-Canadian extraction, made Shepherd's Pie with lamb and a bottom and top crust. She added potato to the mix. Delish. And, she called her beef version with mash potatoes on top, Pate Chinoise. Also delish. My version of the Pate is the same, but I add a layer of corn, and put a jar of Heinz Mushroom Gravy in the bottom to make sure there is plenty of gravy for the patates- puh-tahts'- as we of FC extraction like to say. Differences are the spice of life, and Neil,bravo! You go, Brit boy! Love that British humour:)

WOW!!! Just happened on this web site, and read all the comments and couldn't believe how people got upset over shepherds pie!! Our family loves it also, I use ground chuck, mash potatoes, sometime green beans, peas, and love cheese..But that is just me!! Each to there own!!! Be blessed.. Another Texan

The reason Shepard's pie is called S-h-e-p-a-r-d-s pie is that lamb is used. Otherwise it could be called rancher pie!! But is has a lovely name when used with beef: cottage pie. all those who are offended, should be the ones to 'get over it'.

Oh, relax everyone! I loved the presentation of his recipe. I can't stand it when my husband asks for ketchup, so good for you Neil, tell us how it is. Sounds delicious and I learned something new today. My mom in law makes pasty potatoes and covers everything in cheese (obviously hiding something) so this was making me laugh. Thanks for the great (and correct) Shepherd's Pie. Cabbage is a great idea on the side.

Finally a recipe without cheese. Thanks for the authentic shephards pie recipe

Thanks Neil - the ORIGINAL recipe. Like everything in life, recipes get modified to personal tastes, as seen by the previous recipe suggestions. I've been to America - cheese on everything (even available at breakfast!!) So what? We are rapidly becoming an over politically correct society - Where is the acceptance of diversity gone?

What is this called if I use ground turkey? My husband won't eat lamb or beef, although I do.

Love the comments Neil. And we do know what Bisto is!! A must in our house. My husband and I's mothers are also brits so we learned from the best!!

Cheers! He got it right!

I was glad to learn that shepherds pie was made with lamb. I had never ever heard that before, I have always used ground beef..and I now know that it was originally called cottage pie... oh whatever, I make the best ever :)

Neil was quite right with his shepherd's pie receipe. Yummy. Thank you for educating us on the difference between shepherds and cottage.

This talk about Sheperds Pie brought about memories of the last war when the American army & air forces arrived here. They Invited us to their Dances (Food like we had never seen for some time). But Oh how humour deserted them when I showed them a cartoon from my newspaper "depicting a line of Americans in uniform but wearing headgear depicting that they were Irish, Dutch, Italian, Jews, South Africans etc the wording was "we're a mixed lot aren't we?" seems it is still difficult for some to see comments against
'The good old U S of A' .

Wonderful recipe!!! I wasn't sure what "minced" was, but cut it into small chunks and it worked out just fine. Always cook lamb slowly and it is much tastier. Is there any reason why the world thinks Brits are arrogant?

No cheese in the history of the British Isles? Neil and Bruce - I obviously agree that Sheperd's Pie is made with lamb, and Cottage Pie is made with beef. For generations my 100% British family has made both with cheese. As I sit here in Easingwold typing this, I am trying to to imagine the imaginary "British Isles" you must hail from.

SHEPHERD'S for goodness sake!
Not shepards or shephards or shepperds....aaaaaaaargh