What is the best classic recipe of the Shepherds Pie?

Traditional ingredients for shepherd's pie in Britain are mashed potatoes, veggies, and ground lamb or mutton. When cooked using beef instead of lamb, it is frequently referred to as a "cottage pie". A cooked and spiced layer of ground meat (usually lamb or beef) with chopped onions, carrots, and peas makes up the bottom of the dish. 

The dish can be complemented by a side salad or crusty bread and is often served hot. A hearty and reassuring dish like shepherd's pie is ideal for a warm dinner on a chilly night. To suit individual preferences, it can also be modified by adding other herbs, spices, or vegetables.

Here is a simple and delicious shepherd's pie recipe for you to try:

Ingredients: 

• 2 pounds of diced and peeled potatoes
• 0.5 cups of milk
• 4 tablespoons salted butter
• pepper and salt as desired
• 2/TBS of olive oil
• 2 peeled and sliced carrots 
• 1 big onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 pound of ground beef or lamb
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon
• 1 cup of chicken or beef broth
• Frozen peas, 1 cup
• 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
• Cheddar cheese, grated, as a garnish

Instructions to make:

1. Set the oven's temperature to 375°F (190°C).
2. The potatoes should be boiled in salted water until they are fork-tender, then drained and smoothed out with milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Place aside.
3. Olive oil should be heated in a sizable skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots, and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, or until they soften.
4. Ground lamb or beef should also be added. Cook until browned, breaking up any particularly large chunks with a spoon.
5. Bring to a simmer after adding the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and broth. The sauce needs to be cooked for around 10 minutes until it thickens.
6. Stir the parsley into the skillet after adding the frozen peas.
7. Put the meat mixture in a large baking pan. Spread the mashed potatoes out thoroughly around the mixture before spooning them on top.
8. The mashed potatoes should be covered with grated cheddar cheese.
9. Bake the shepherd's pie for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the filling and cheese are hot and bubbly.
10. Before serving, allow the shepherd's pie to cool for a few minutes. Enjoy!

Note: This dish can also be prepared ahead of time and frozen for up to three months or kept in the fridge for up to two days. Just make sure to properly reheat it before serving.

Different Types:

Shepherd's pie is a classic dish that can be altered to suit various preferences and tastes. Some variations on shepherd's pie are as follows:

Traditional Shepherd's Pie: topped with mashed potatoes, onions, carrots, peas, and ground lamb or mutton.

Cottage Pie: Similar to the traditional shepherd's pie, but instead of lamb or mutton, ground beef is used.

Fishermen's Pie: topped with mashed potatoes and vegetables and made with seafood like cod or salmon.

Vegan Shepherd's Pie: topped with mashed potatoes and vegetables like peas, mushrooms, carrots, onions, and peas.

Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato: A bend on the customary recipe, utilizing crushed yams rather than standard potatoes for the fixing.

Guinness Shepherd's Pie: made with vegetables, ground lamb or beef, and Guinness beer-infused gravy for a hearty, rich flavor.

Mexican Shepherd's Pie: seasoned with chili powder, topped with mashed potatoes mixed with grated cheddar cheese, and made with ground beef, tomatoes, black beans, and corn.

Curry Shepherd's Pie: A curry-spiced version of the classic served over mashed potatoes seasoned with turmeric and cumin and cooked with ground lamb or beef.

In general, there are a plethora of variations on shepherd's pie that can be tailored to individual preferences and dietary restrictions.