Can't we all just get along? I have an idea ... Layer half with cheese and half without. There now, everyone wins!!

Top half or bottom half?

Sheesh, people, get over it!! EVERYBODY! Neil, you'll hate me, but my mum is a Brit, and she always made it with corned beef hash, covered with Mash and served with brown gravy. Never had a complaint in my life. And yes, that's just the way Brits are. Guess you'd have to have grown up with one to understand!! Lisa

I thought Shepards Pie was pretty much throw leftovers in a pot, add some mashed potaoes and your good to go!Nice Hardy meal! P.S...never underestimate the goodness of cheese :)

Thank you, Neil and Vanessa both, for your recipes. I will take some ideas from each. Americans tend to "Americanize" alot of foreign foods including Italian, Chinese, Mexican and even Cuban. Everyone can determine the special touches that appeal to your own audiences. Its OK to "make it your own" as long as you do not claim it is an "authentic dish" from the original country. I admit that I am one of those cheese lovers that likes to add cheese to everything.I will put, adding cheese, to a family vote.(so far, the cheese is winning).

As a brit myself. My Mum always made it with ground beef never any celery Yuk. and always but always topped it with chedder cheese. I was however raised in a small poor village
While the family I worked for in London always added mushrooms and courgettes (zucchini) I think even in the UK it is made to suit the tastes of the locals. Ground meat, onions and smash (mashed potatoes) are the three main ingredients other than that add herbs spices and veg to your own taste and enjoy with or without cheese.

Thank you for the recipe and the laughs. Never would have thought a recipe site would be so entertaining. I don't know if this Neil guy is really the snob he is being accused of. Maybe he is just lactose intolerant. And besides. He did, after all post his recipe. And if he doen't like the way we americans (americanize) everything who cares. He's probably right because I'll probably put cheese on it anyways. And maybe even a bit of garlic. James (A cheesy american)

Cheddar makes everything better!

We all need cut neil some slack. He is allowed to be protective of his native dish since we can count on one hand the decent recipes the British have generously contributed to the rest of this predestian world's palate.

Please Please Please,,....we are Americans, not Brits...we like cheese on the pie and think it's wonderful...you make it your way, we will make it our way...

There are shepherds all over this great world and not all of them are 'brits' and not likely all of them even make 'pies'. And what of the real brits that are shepherds that do bake 'pies'? If Shepherd pie = shepherds pie, will these shepherds be thrown out of the Shepherds Union for using, say, apples when Neil has proclaimed on behalf of all brits (and shepherd's, too, it seems)that a 'shepherd's' 'pie' can only have lamb and be made according to the recipe above. Poor souls. The 'New World' is not bound by british rule so some will use cheese, if they please. I personally make cottage pie BUT, if I were served 'shepherd's pie' with cheese, would not be so ungrateful as to offend my host with purist views. And don't let the word purist give you a big head, Neil. I'm with Dave .. you are adding BEEF stock!!!
Anyway, this is the funniest thread I have read in a long time and has reminded me that this kind of pie for me is not about the ingredients, but the memories of me long gone mum who made it with love and often, as Julia's mum, varied it with whatever was on hand. We didn't argue over the name or the recipe, we were just grateful to have something for our din and a loving family to eat it with.

I like to make it with cheese, bacon, beef and sauerkraut. I still call it shepard's pie, cause who really cares what's it's called, or has heard of "cottage" pie? Maybe with cottage cheese, that actually sounds good, "Shepard's Cottage Cheese Pie", maybe no saurkraut in that.

Make it however you want to make it. If it tastes good to you and/or your family, then make it with cheese or whatever. Good Lord. Its not like the Brits are known for fine food anyway.

I made it (for the first time in my life) according to this recipe and it tasted great!!!!
That "SHEPHERDS PIE" does not need anything else. (Excuse my English)

Ahhh... I like this recipe, and I found the write up quite funny :) Mind you, I am not a brit, nor american, but I gotta say, guys.. lighten up!

...Enoying my shepherd's pie... with added cheese :)

Hm. Nice recipe... but do real cooks use 'Bisto'? The self-confessed 'meat flavoured' gravy? I think, as an Englishman I would prefer a layer of cheese between the meat and the potato to that. Living in America, I find people here love it both ways. With cheese and without it, but I haven't inflicted them with 'Bisto'. I think that could put 'em off British food altogether! Are you a 'Brit'? Is that English - or somewhere else?