Hi Vanessa,

I am sure you mean well, but as a Brit, your recipe comes about as close to Shepherds Pie as the Venus de Milo does to a brick. I would be happy let you know what is actually interesting about Brit food and how to do it right - before you publish. Shepherds or Cottage Pie is a staple. It takes time to get it at its best, I would be happy to advise.

Neil

Neil, do you have a recipe for Shepherds Pie you can post?

Neil's Version: Shepherds Pie (British)

I made it Neil's way and have to say, it was SUPERB. A hundred times better than these American versions. I'm an American who visits the UK a lot, so I have a US palate, but I know how it's supposed to taste, and Neil has got it right. Sorry, ya'll can lay into me now, I don't care, my tummy is happy.

When you cross the pond, let me in. Am off for the northern parts.

Neil, on behalf of my fellow Americans, I'm sorry. We're real pr#cks when someone shows us up and does something better than we do. Which is like, all the time. I'm going to try the British version because it hasn't been Americanized. The post-WWII era saw us making whipped cream out of hydrogenated oil as the main ingredient, not cream. We made corn bread in a square Pyrex dish, cut out a big square in the middle and put peas in to fill the space... even put a picture of it on a recipe book cover. So the guy who says he'll rename his Shepherd's pie "Cowboy Pie" (which sounds like Cow pie) has probably tasted his own recipe and realized it's S#it.

Gee Neil Take a Chill Pill. I love this recipe because it calls for everything that I have in the pantry at all times and it is Shepherds Pie on a budget and made with staple ingredients. We really like it and I also tried someones suggestion - when browning my meat I added a packet of brown gravy mix. Thanks V! Save the sarcasm Neil, we are all just trying to expand our recipes for our families enjoyment!

Don't understand the sugar in the recipe, I would leave that out. I like the idea of the brown gravy in it better... I know in the South (GA) where I'm from we use sugar a lot but Shepherd pie, not really...

Sandra, I have to agree, the sugar thing in salty dishes doesn't make since to me. I do think its a southern thing mostly. I just usually leave it out if its a primarily salty dish. God bless!

Ok Neil, when in Britain do as the Brits do. But we are not in Britain. I am sure your recipe is just as great, but for now this recipe works just fine!!

Well Neil who told you that Shepherds Pie came from England anymore than Scrooge invented Turkey. No one's stopping you from making Shepherds Pie or Bangers and Mash, (sausage and mashed potatoes) etc. We like it the way Vanessa makes it. So long as it tastes good we will accept it. Oh by the way potatoes, tomatoes, squash and a few other foods originated here in the Americas before the white man showed up.

Just one more thing, I'm making a new rule. I think from now on it will no longer be called Shepherds Pie, so the Brit's won't get hysterical and throw a hissy fit and mess their knickers. Now it will be known as Cowboy Pie. Cowboy Pie has Ground Beef and Spuds with Cheese on top. Cowboy Pie is also off limits to Brit's so they won't try to claim it.

Neil-Neil-Neil... such a pie cop. Ya crack me up. Why don't you expand your culinary horizon and start experimenting with a few changes? Throw in some corn, cheese (snicker) rutabagas, turnips...or whatever. Fer cryinoutloud, a dish like shepherds' pie is meant to be localized. Authenticity changes by county. Have fun. Glenn

Do whatever you want to a recipe but DO NOT call it by the original name.

Neil... don't you know by now that us Americans CAN NOT take constructive criticism?? "Can't we all just get along"? I haven't even made the pie yet and I now wonder... is it that the pie was actually delicious or is it that we all felt the need to voice our opinions over Neil?? TBD.. Vanessa, I don't know where you are, but it must feel good that your recipe has rec'd such recognition! ta ta for now~

Hey Neil, Poor mans pie! HELLO! Great stuff, I have 4 boys to feed and this go's a long. Thanks

Hi Neil,

I'm sure you meant well, too (yeah, right) but Vanessa never said it was BRITISH shepherds pie.

Dana

Apparently Neil has no life outside of hater postings on this site. Neil: Get a life!!!

As an American I would like to tell you that this is how my Mom and Gram made it all of my life I'm 53. So maybe this is just one of those things we do a little different. Merry Christmas

Hi Vanessa: My kids love your recipe. Thanks for sharing. I don't really care if this isn't a true (British) dish. I substituted the Ground Beef w/Ground Turkey, as my kids won't eat Beef, and there is no way on God's green earth that I would be able to get them to eat Lamb. I'm not looking for something that takes alot of time, as a working mother, to create a dish that has meat, veggie, and a starch is just what I need. Neil, it's not that deep.

Hi Vanessa, We too like your version of sheppards pie. Its quick and easy to make and with a busy family life that is what you need... The cheese is an added touch with which you can add or not. I also add Bisto (gravy) mix to give it a more beefy rich taste and my son 20 months loves it...

Hi Vanessa, this recipe is wonderful. I never knew how to make shepherds pie, I have a rambunctious kid who is always in my way and I prepped and cooked this with him running around my feet. Thanks for sharing, if you have anymore great and wonderful recipes please PLEASE share with me because I dont really know any...once again, thank you!

Janine

I make a very simple Shepherd's Pie with ground beef and onion/garlic, then top with cream corn (straight from can) then lastly top with mashed potatoes and bake about 30 min at 400. The cream corn adds moisture to the dish that it lacks if you arent using gravy.

Vanessa,

I just made your Shepherd's Pie... what a hit!! I was a bit lazy and made mashed potatoes from a box adding butter, sour cream, chives,salt/pepper... otherwise it is a keeper in the "my favorites!" Thanks for sharing V!

- S

Vanessa,

Thank you for posting your recipe! It's quick, easy and very tasty! Definitely a new family favorite!!!

M.

Vanessa! Thank you for posting! This recipe is excellent *American* eats! I made with extremely fresh ingredients, which took a little more preparation - completely worth it! This recipe is excellent for beginners, thank you for instructing us how to make a simple meal! Just because it's similar to British recipes doesn't mean it's a British dish at all! :) Thanks again!

Vanessa, good stuff, thanks.

It may not be "British" but your pie was delicious!!! It should be called Ranchers Pie for us Americans. Thanks!

Awesome... been looking for a simple shepherd pie recipe for a long time... thanks for the tips!!

I made Shepherd's Pie once with my mother's help. She told me to use any kind of meat with just about any kind of veggies topped with mashed potatoes. I couldn't remember what order they went in and my mother wasn't available! This recipe was great. We used left over chicken breast with peas and corn topped with potatoes with cheese. Again Thanks -- it was delish!

Thank you Vanessa. I will try it this weekend and see if my boyfriend approves! Looks like a keeper!!

As for this specific dish being Americanized, does it REALLY matter! If it tastes good and the kids will eat, must we haggle over the origin, LOL! or perhaps the revised version. McDonald's is an American company, using American recipes however it is served world-wide and some dishes made differently according to the country it is serving (i.e. Taiwan, Israel). Having lived in France for a few years as well as Israel, traveled to the UK many a'times, as well as the SE Asia I can say first-hand this is a common marketing strategy as well need given humans have a variety of tastes according to climate, country, culture, religion of origin.

The "Ranchers Pie" recipe title sounds like a diplomatic compromise for those easily offended by us Americans taking the name of Shepherd's Pie to out cheesy simplified version. We didn't even require the UNs intervention on this one now did we?

Off my soap box my friends!

Thanks for the recipe. I love CHEESE so I can't wait to try the recipe tonight.

Wow... and people think American's are arrogant.

Your Shepherd's Pie was quick, easy and loved by the family. Thanks!