I would like to say that I happen to be an American and never put cheese on my Shepherrd's Pie. I also make it with lamb. That being said... there are tastier, more deeply flavored versions of Shepherd's Pie. I like mine a wee bit Irish. I sear the lamb with seasonings, then saute the veggies, pour a can of Guinness over the whole thing with a bit of beef stock, let it all simmer down on the stovetop till there is just a thick flavorful gravy... then top with Colcannon. (I am Irish-American ;) You get it all in one package that way. OF COURSE, to truly be American you would have to add ketchup to the gravy and bacon to your colcannon! (WOW, that sounds good!) Serve with Black and Tans.

Shepherds pie should never be made with beef or cheese! Lamb only! I do like to add corn between the lamb and potatoes though. Thanks Neil!

I have two things to say:
First, I made this last night and decided to add cheese. (Reading about it, I couldnt hold back!) It was REALLY good. My husband raved. I didnt add corn because I do not like corn. I did put in 2-3 Tablespoons ketchup (americas only sauce). I americanized it as much as possible and found it to be yummy. (Instead of Guinness, I added Samuel Adams!) I did not add bacon like I had threatened... only because I have turkey bacon and that did not sound right with lamb.
The second thing I have to say? Every country has great chefs. They often take the bland, boring food your mother made and make it into something exciting and delicious. My husband and I take *foodie* vacations all over the world to try great restaurants. I have had a lot of *jazzed up* versions of my mother's cooking. A lot of authentic food was not eaten by the rich. The affluent would have had the means to make it less authentic, yet tastier. I have to say if you can afford a little cheese, go for it. After all, cheese really does make it tastier.

(and for my snobby comment... Why do all the Brittish recipes contain no herbs or spices? I find that stranger then cheese hatred! Also, I have had a french version of shepherds pie and it was to die for! I could have licked my plate!)

Americans are so sensitive to the tone of language and become offended too easily. I think it is because they are so used to being McDonalized and get offended when their McFood is changed!! Lighten up before your McDonaldization spreads everywhere and pushes out different cultures. And Clara and Tami you should apologize to Neil!

I was wondering if you had a recipe for Cottage Pie? I don't like lamb and was also hoping for something a little faster and easier to make. I know, so American, right? Oh well, I'm just happy to have a job, but that means I can't spend 3 hours cooking dinner when I get home at night.

Wow do all the recipes at cooks.com get these kinds of comments?

If you are looking for Bisto, Amazon sells it! (I'm sure several other places online do as well, but that's the one most people are probably familiar with.) Aahhhhh, Bisto.
Cheers.

My mom always made what we called Shepherd's Pie using onions, ground beef, canned cream corn and canned whole kernal corn, salt and pepper. Topped with mashed potatoes (made with sour cream and butter added) and baked in the oven. She added grated sharp cheddar to the top of the potatoes. I make it with onions, ground beef, diced carrots, peas, and whole kernal corn with an envelope or two of brown gravy mix (and the required water)then top with mashed potatoes and bake. Both ways are very good. My mother's family was from Canada....maybe that's where her recipe came from.

Thank you, Neil. When I search for a recipe I want the authentic, traditional dish. I can always change it if I want to add or subtract something, but at least I'll know what the authentic dish is!

Neil is right, today's American food has way too much cheese. Cheese is not allowed on my diet, and I have to tell waiters not to put it on my salad, entree, dessert, and whatever else I order. It is overused, in my judgment. But go ahead and add it if you prefer. Recipes are only a starting point for a creative cook.

Hilarious, I think its more tongue in cheek than anything else. Wouldn't take too much offense. Sure a few people here are mixing up Irish and British, but such is the world, you can't get your knickers in a twist about every little detail. Sometimes I make it with Cheddar sometimes I don't depending on mood. Both are delicious.
;)
Irish Lo

This is too funny! It's just a recipe, folks. Make it the way you like it and enjoy. And, call it what you want. Taste buds don't know where it came from. Only if it's good.

OH MY WORD! Neil's BEEF STOCK in your shepherds pie. If you whine about putting beef in the pie, don't put beef stock in your pie, use lamb stock. Dave

Wow. I log on for a shepherd's pie recipe and found this. Hilarious! I thought the recipe and the way it was written a hoot to read, didn't take offense in the least, and then marveled at how thin skinned a lot of people in this country are. We DO put cheese on everything and there's many a recipe that would be likely better, and healthier, without it!! C'mon people. Lighten up. . . . .

Just looking for a pie recipe and ending up in this food fight! Cheese on a shepherds pie?! And if you say "don't" some people are actually offended and call you a snob That´s snobbish!

In case you all forgot on the other side of the big pond: Wine and whisky are not to be served with ice. But who am I to argue, I'm Dutch. we eat our herring raw out here. And with raw onions.

Thanks for the recipe, and please, do not hesitate to react if you feel insulted. I very nearly laughed my head off when I read this page.

Hajé

Well, thanks for the history lesson. I love to modify a recipe, and for being one with not much time and short on patience, I make this same pie, with hambuger and some canned beef gravy, and a can of veg-all and some instant mashed potatoes with cheese, and it is good, warm and comforting and quick, and this can be modified to be a TAMALE PIE too but that is for another show, or use turkey or chicken with broccoli and cauliflower, and carrots and a chicken or turkey gravy and mashed potatoes, but NONE THE LESS it is a GOOD one pot meal, that brings out a smile. Case closed!

Yes -- What Rodger said... Neil's recipe is actually Authentic Shepherds Pie. But there could be all manner of variations on the theme, reflecting regional foods and styles of cooking. (I like the Tamale Pie idea.) Just as every ethnic cuisine has a form of dumpling, or a filled/stuffed vegetable, or even a bread.