I always throw in a couple of sticks of celery, finely chopped, which was how Nannny made it when I was a boy. Tastes great but it's anything but authentic. I'm a Londoner so have very few qualms about messing around a Cumbrian, not Irish, dish!

In regard to Shep Pie, my Mom was from Newcastle. We had this for dinner once a week and I think it was due to thriftiness. However, we loved it, she used stewing beef, carrots, peas and onion. Cooked slowly to make a broth on top of the stove. Put into a casserole with just potatoes on the top and browned. She would thicken with Bisto. Loved it.

Shepherd's pie is made with lamb (that's why it's called SHEPHERD'S pie). If you make it with beef, why not be willing to call it what it really is...Cottage Pie. Nothing wrong with being creative, but it is not a traditional shepherd's pie unless you use lamb. Nix the cheese if you go traditional.

I am West Indian living in the U.S For years but love many things British, because of my background. As a kid in elementary school we were given cookery classes... That's where I learned to make shepherd's pie... Which was truly delicious, I recall. The tutor included... Pork, finely chopped,carrots and green beans along with the usual ingredients. After all this time I still clamor this very "tasty" meal and am willing to give it whirl, using all your ideas at different times. Thanks guys!!

I've been reading all the comments and ideas in here. The bottom line is different strokes for different folks whether you're from Yorkshire, Wales, Ireland, London as along as it tastes good and savour enough to eat it's all good in my books.

wow.. what opinions!!.. I'd doubt any of us were around for the original pie...and I am sure I'll 'tweak' my own version to suit my own taste.. I drink Corona's and eat frosted shredded wheat, together.. so.. everyone has their own idea of what tastes good.. enjoy..
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Shepherd's pie or Cottage Pie. I never realized how popular it is here in the States. I've made 4 of the recipes here (including Neil's original). So here's the guidelines. Lamb = Shepherds, Beef = Cottage, No cheese = Traditional, Cheese = Non-traditional. To each his own, or in my case, many of them.

Brits ! give peace a chance ! John

Shepherds look after sheep and lambs - not cows. Should we change the popular Christmas Carol to read "While shepherds watched their herd by night" or will we keep the word "flock" in there? I laughed when teaching kindergarten that some kids would substitute more familiar words for strange ones, and would sing lustily "While shepherds washed their socks by night"!

I love sp or cottage pie. I use ground beef and peas with cream of chicken soup with a top layer of tater tots. So simple to make. Sometime I add cheese on top to give it a nice flavor. I bake it for 45 mins. in a glass baking dish. I have tried a few different recipes for this dish and this is the easiest one I have found.

This is an amazing recipe. My favorite for Shepherds Pie. Oh so tasty!

This is a pretty good recipe, I like Veal and ground lamb if I am feeling ritzy. True that Mutton would have been used as a Shepherd herds sheep. I use mince (ground Round) most often. A nice twist is using a Brown Sauce like H&P or Daddies instead of ketchup. Another fine twist is using a madras curry powder and turmeric to give it an Indian flair which my son Dubs "Bindi Pie".

For the life of me I cannot understand the number of folks that mispell "Shepherd" by utilising "Shepard". Folks of this avocation herd sheep, thus: shepherd or "Shepherd's Pie". Iv'e not ever seen a bloke that "pardons" sheep.

Shepherds tend sheep - Herders, cowboys and Gauchos tend cattle -- so should it not be cowboys pie not cottage pie in USA??

This was so good. My hubby just made it tonight for St. Patrick's Day dinner. he addeed a bit more water to the simmering process than this calls for but other than that it was just perfect!!! Do not hesitate to try it.