Cooking Every British Pub Classic

Ingredients

• 500 g Ground Lamb (80% lean, fresh)
• 1 medium Onion (diced)
• 2 medium Carrot (peeled and diced)
• 100 g Peas (frozen, thawed)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 250 ml Beef or Lamb Stock (low‑salt)
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp All-Purpose Flour (for thickening the filling)
• 1 tsp Fresh Thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
• to taste Salt
• to taste Black Pepper
• 800 g Potatoes (peeled and cut into even chunks)
• 50 g Unsalted Butter (softened)
• 100 ml Whole Milk (warm)
• 50 g Cheddar Cheese (grated, optional topping)

Instructions

1. Boil Potatoes

   Place peeled and cut potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork‑tender, about 20 minutes.

   Time: PT20M

2. Sauté Vegetables

   Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: Medium heat

3. Brown the Lamb

   Add the ground lamb to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until fully browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes.

   Time: PT8M

   Temperature: Medium heat

4. Thicken the Filling

   Sprinkle the flour over the browned meat, stir for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Then add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and stock. Bring to a gentle simmer.

   Time: PT2M

5. Simmer the Filling

   Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer, uncovered, until thickened and the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Add peas in the last 3 minutes.

   Time: PT15M

   Temperature: Low heat

6. Season the Filling

   Season the meat mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove from heat.

   Time: PT1M

7. Mash the Potatoes

   Drain the boiled potatoes and return to the pot. Add butter and warm milk, then mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

   Time: PT5M

8. Preheat Oven

   Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 200°C

9. Assemble the Pie

   Spread the meat filling evenly in the baking dish. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top, smoothing with a spatula. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the potatoes if using.

   Time: PT5M

10. Bake

    Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling, about 35 minutes.

    Time: PT35M

    Temperature: 200°C

11. Rest and Serve

    Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

450

Protein

20 g

Carbohydrates

45 g

Fat

20 g

Fiber

4 g