My mother used to make shepherds pie all the time (one similar to this) and I was never a big fan. My husband was looking for a recipe that was similar to his grandmothers and this is it. Tonight I will make this recipe and for the first time I will actually enjoy it!! I will add all the cheese my little heart desires and sit down to watch the best American show ever... The office.. Something else the brits cooked up that we made even better.... Neil, dont be so snobby...

"Poor Man's Pie" is def. the perfect name for this recipe in my case, HA! Right now I'm low on groceries but have tons of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese. I'm not a big fan of meat loaf (i know some variations call for the left overs) so this was perfect. The only veggies i had around were fresh carrots so i cut them up small and added them to the ground beef and onion as the recipe calls for.. Delicous!! I'm thinking about using velveta cheese next time though. Thank you, for making such a filling scrumpious yet simple recipe!

Thank you, Vanessa. This helps a lot - recipe is perfect. Wm

Okay, Okay, I seriously was just looking for a hambugar and mashed potatoe receipt and then I got gobbled up into a big mess of reading every comment put on this. I think it to be amusing. Here we are just looking for a great new way to make dinner and we find ourselves arguing over who has the BEST receipt. I would have to agree with Neil, even though I'm American myself. It's just that I know I love cheese and I do put it on "anything that moves". I'm not afraid to admitt...I go a little over board when it comes to cheese!!! This may not be the authentic way to make Shepheard's Pie but who cares! It's fun and thats just LIFE! So have fun EVERYONE. Im gonna go search for the hambuger receipt that involves a WHOLE lot of cheese!

Hey Vanessa, I just made one exactly like yours, and I was looking to see if I could find someone who makes it like me and yours is the closest, only difference is I add cream of mushroom to my potatoes for added flavor and I use cheddar and pepperjack cheeses, other than that we do it exactly the same, so thanks for letting me know I wasn't alone, take care, and Neil just so you know, "there is no wrong way to make Shepherd's pie", as long as you have beef, veggies (peas at least), and mashed potatoes (with or with out the cheese), its a Shepherd's pie!!! And is enjoyed by all who make it.

My dad showed me how to make this type of pie and he calls it shepards pie. I didnt know about the sugar but i'll try it when I make it again. I put hamburger, onion, corn, green beans, peas, poatoes and top it with cheese. My 3 boys and husband eat it like its going out of style, they love it. So I just wanted to share this comment with u all.

Glad I'm not on the firing line I'd be dead. Go for it Vanessa!! I love your way. If they stuff their mouth with good ole USA way of SP then they would not have room to condemn others for making it different and easier and ever so much tastier!! Say CHEESE! smile

To Neil and "Snoozebug" (in Califonia) - At least Vanessa had the appreciation to post a wonderful recipe for all others to enjoy. Must you be so f**king condescending? If you don't care for the recipe, then simply DON'T MAKE IT, and keep your negative comments to yourself!

My whole family and I loved this!!! It is so easy and good. Thank you!!

Love the recipe, my family has been making it just about this way for three generations. This is classic depression era food and delilicious too. Thanks for your post!

I prefer the version with beef and also ground pork works fairly well with it, since my kids dont care for meat this version works for them and I have a dislike for lamb. Not overly fond of it with the cheese on top nor are my kids.
Also left over roast beef works nicely when gettting rid of leftovers

Vanessa,

This is how my mom used to make it, but without sugar. I love this version. I don't understand how people could make such a fuss over your recipe. It's totally pointless. I made it just an hour ago - my husband and I devoured it!! Was soooo good. Thanks for the recipe.

Thank you for posting this. I always use the word simple as boring and although this is very simple, it is NOT boring. Its yummy and loved by all my kids, ages 13 to 7 and VERY picky. The sugar added a bit different taste that I loved. I didnt have any peas in the house but thats ok.

Also, I spent many years in England and yes it is not "authentically British" to me, its Americanized just as pizza in Italy and the US are completely different.

Who really cares, this recipe is awesome and I added it to my recipe box!

Just finished making this and the result? My husband and I loved it! Will definitely have to make this again sometime :)

I thought I'd comment since I noticed some critiques about this not being "british" ... but to be honest, I'm from Scotland, and I grew up eating it exactly like this, only minus the cheese (probably to save money!), so in my eyes, this is pretty authentic! :)