This recipe sounds very good to me. It is like what my neighbor made one day and brought some over. It was AWESOME!! I would not use lamb. Call this recipe any name you want, but it has all the ingredients in it that we like. We also love cheese too.

Thanks so much! My son loves this. He even specified that he wanted "the one with the cheese". I appreciate you posting your recipe.

Wow, everyone is attacking the brit here, not fair guys, this is about an authentic recipe for Shepherd's pie not about when in Britain do as the brits do, how rude and typical of us Americans, I'm embarrassed!. Neil was not throwing a fit I think all the other comments after his where the ones that where throwing fits and are being quite defensive. I am surfing the net for an authentic Shepherd's pie recipe to make with lamb and Neil's is the only one I came across that called for lamb a true Shepherd's pie not an interpretation nor a fusion of it. Neil is only taking pride of an English dish, wouldn't you all do the same for an American dish?

I'm sorry Suzy, both come of quite outlandish, but I think Neil was quite an izas, in his posting... and I'm sorry, I'd rather leave the lil lambs alone, and eat the cow!

I can't believe everyone seems so worked up over this. The recipe name clearly states "Poor Man's Pie." These are currently tough times, and we cannot all afford lamb. Vanessa, great recipe for those of us who are on a very tight budget. Neil, I feel sorry for you that you were so offended by the name placed on this recipe.

Great recipe! It's very yummy and delicious. I will make it again on my birthday party so everyone can enjoy! Thank you so much Vanessa!

Vanessa I am trying your recipe tonight! I think it is rude of "The Brit" to make such comments about other people's recipes. Nothing is carved in stone when it comes to cooking. I have made Shepard's Pie for years. Mine is not like my mothers or her mothers. I have added my own twist over the years,as I will tonight (I'm sure). Just looking for a different variation of what I usually do, using what I have on hand.
Thank You for posting!!

Love it!! So easy and my 3 yo loves to help, so this is great- thanks for posting :)

My family really enjoyed this version of the recipe. My four year old ate every bite on her plate. Thank you for this recipe.

I was looking for a "simple" shepherd's pie recipe and this was #1 on google. I have had the British type (my mom-in-law) and an amazing number of American varieties of the same dish and in my humble opinion, when all is said and done, what you want to fix to eat and what you call it have really no bearing on each other. It is a good, simple, quick meal that the majority of people who like such things enjoy. Very tasty.

Vanessa -

My family loves your recipe. And it is so quick and easy to throw together, which makes it great for after work. I think it is the sugar that gives it the extra zing. Oh and Neil - I've been to London several times and eaten in what we're supposed to be "great" restaurants and British food sucks!

This recipe was amazing! It was a quick make and the in laws loved it. Truly original. Thanks.

I think that where Neil was coming from was that, in Britain, when we make this sort of dish with beef, we call it Cottage Pie, and when we make it with lamb or mutton, we call it Shepherd's Pie. He could have made the point more politely, though.

At the end of the day though, make it how you like it, and call it what you want - that's where the fun is.

By coincidence, just before reading this, I used the name Cowboy Pie to describe a pie of this type made with pork and beans.

Vanessa - I thought your version was GREAT .. and yes, I agree Neil could have been polite, after all, its a recipe and there are MANY different versions.. Thank you for a GREAT recipe!!!

I think that this is a great recipe. As for it being a "Brit" flop, cultures vary recipes everywhere dude. Have you tried your recipe with beef? MMMMM, good. ha ha

Great recipe (I am not Brit and this is a great American way to make Shepherds Pie). Loved it! BTW I am sure all Brit's do not fix our meals the same as we do. But is okay by us, it's the way of the world!