This Ingredient Is The Difference Between Shepherd's Pie And Cottage Pie

I'll never forget the first time I encountered shepherd’s pie. The year is fuzzy, but the memory is clear. I was in elementary school, and it was served in the cafeteria of the public school I attended in Ridgeland, Mississippi. I remember the buzz and confusion as we fearfully poked our forks at the squatty squares of potatoes tinted a sickly gray hue from the layer of questionable beef beneath. Nobody knew what it was (and if it was made from actual shepherds???) and as far as I noticed, nobody touched it.

To this day I can clearly imagine the stacks of melamine trays, their shepherd-laden squares untouched. I remember feeling a little sorry for the lunch ladies that day. Their fluffy, buttery rolls were a home run, but their take on shepherd’s pie was a swing and miss.

What Is Shepherd’s Pie?

Contrary to my elementary school nightmares, no actual shepherds are harmed to make shepherd’s pie. Recipes vary, but traditional shepherd’s pie typically includes a layer of ground lamb, which is browned with onions, peas, and carrots, and then covered with a layer of potatoes (often mashed) and sometimes topped with cheese.

It’s comfort food from across the pond, a hearty gift from the Scots. While I can’t be certain, I’m fairly sure that Mississippi public school cafeterias in the 1980s weren’t trafficking in ground lamb, so what I actually first encountered was likely cottage pie.

What Is Cottage Pie?

Cottage pie is basically shepherd’s pie, but in lieu of lamb, ground beef is used. Sometimes but not always, cottage pie is topped with thinly sliced potatoes instead of mashed potatoes, but that’s not a hard-and-fast rule.

What's the Difference Between Shepherd's Pie and Cottage Pie?

The only significant and steady difference between shepherd’s pie and cottage pie is the type of meat used. Shepherd’s pie traditionally features ground lamb; cottage pie recipes call for ground beef.

What if I Don't Like Lamb?

If you’re like me, you might not have grown up eating a lot of lamb. I’d encourage you to give it a try. Much like venison is to beef, lamb can have a slightly "gamey" flavor, but when it’s ground and mixed with the sauces and spices called for in most shepherd’s pie recipes, you can barely taste a difference.

If you’re still on the fence, give ground bison a try—it’s leaner than ground beef and lamb, but has a rich flavor.

Can You Make Shepherd’s Pie Meatless?

You can absolutely make a shepherd’s or cottage pie without meat. Meat substitutes like Beyond and Impossible are widely available and do a great job of mimicking the texture and flavor of ground beef. Some versions use beans, too.

Can You Make Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potatoes?

Yes! Just because everyone else uses mashed russet potatoes on top means you have to. Try Shepherd's Pie With Sweet Potato Mash on top for a tasty twist.