I like to add 3 chopped habaneros to the ground beef for some heat.

Wow, I have to say that we American's need to get our heads out of our keisters and learn to let things roll off our backs. People, Neil simply posted a recipe. He's not trying to start another Revolutionary War or any thing. Besides, people are entitled to their opinion. It doesn't make them right or wrong. I liked to hear the difference between Shepherd's Pie and Cottage Pie. I came to this website to learn how to make delicious food. I got that and more.

Neil, thanks for the entertainment, which I am sure is not what you intended when you posted this recipe.

Thanks Neil for an authentic recipe. I was really surprised that it required no cheese

As I do not eat beef/lamb I use ground turkey breast, AND I use it in both pies. Tastes O.K.(lol)

Dear Neil-a Brit, I care not if you're a Brit or Scottish but do you have a GOOD recipe for STEAK (no kidney!) pie? The pub grub in the UK is amazing, as are the pastries. I tried my mother-in-law's recipe for steak & sausage pie (VERY good) but ruined it...so being a "non-cook", never tried again

Please ladies and gentlemen, this is a recipe and not worth starting a war. As with all recipes most of us use what we have on hand and taking into consideration our family's likes and dislikes. That's how new recipes come about - I'm British and have had this recipe either way (beef or lamb) and although cheese isn't my taste, it is someone elses. This is a wonder recipe, thank you for sharing.

Great recipe. Loved the comments and hope that most good cooks use the recipe (or not) with appreciation and not so much silly verbage.

I am trying my first "PIE" tonight. My husband is originally from England, and although he agreed that shepherd's pie is made from lamb, he said that cottage pie is basically the same-just with beef. I am calling this "Rancher's Pie." My mother grew up here in America on a ranch raising cattle, and they used to eat a LOT of beef as a result! And for the...a lot of BRITS like cheese more than Americans!!! Just ask my husband...and SMILE!!!!!

Neil,

This is my first time making Shepherd's Pie! I agree with you I was watching "Kitchen Nightmares" with Gordon Ramsey and everything he cooked on the show was Lamb in Britain. I'm still young but hoping to become a chef one day! Thank you for this recipe and will be looking forward for any other recipes from you!

Shepherds Pie is whatever I say it is. Everyone always needs rules and regulations to keep them in line following the herd like sheep. Nonetheless Recipe is 8 or 9 of 10. But that's just a dumb independent thinking (and cheese loving) American's opinion.

I have had both, my ex works in a american/british pub, specializing in both american and british food. Shepherds pie is made with the lamb and the cottage pie is made with beef. I personally do not like lamb, but asking for some cheese on it makes it better, at least my taste buds think so!! GO CHEESE!!

Shepherd's Pie and Cottage Pie are synonyms. Cottage pie was the original name; shepherd's pie came along later, but meant the same thing. Cottage pie has always been "whatever meat is available," though most recently has come to mean beef. The redefinition of shepherd's pie as lamb only is quite recent, and although the name makes sense, it isn't its original meaning.

None of which really matters - you can make Shepherd's Pie or Cottage Pie out of lamb or beef, as you prefer. But insisting on the One True Way based on a recent modification of a name is more ignorance than snobbery. Either way, it's annoying.

Iain - also a Brit.

(Wikipedia article on Shepherd's Pie is pretty well-researched.)

I have not prepared it yet, I sounds very tasty. I did however want to respond to those found something negative or negative tone made by Neil. Where is it? I am looking and don't see it! I had a pastor that once told me, " People who are always getting their toes stepped on are always sicking them out"! I mean, come on, us Americans do slather cheese on everything, EVERYTHING! hehe Thank you Neil, I get it. Thank you so much for showing how to make an authentic shepherds pie. It is always left up to a cook to add to a recipe, but then it might not be authentic anymore, but that is up to each cook. I also have a quick question for Neil, What are your thoughts about adding fresh garlic and maybe some fresh mushrooms and we will leave the cheese to Wallace and Gromit.

Laughing out loud from reading this--and can't believe I just spent so much time reading 15 pages of comments!

How did I end up here while looking for rhubarb recipes?????

Anyway, great job setting this off, Neil-A-Brit, although you folks over there aren't exactly known for your cuisine. Can't wait to try the Tater Tots person's idea. Anybody try crushing up Doritos and sprinkling them on top?

I like how Neil, a person more British than the Queen, uses American spelling.