Prepare the Potatoes:

1. Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks: Begin by peeling the potatoes and cutting them into even chunks. This ensures they cook evenly.

2. Boil in salted water until tender: Place the potato chunks in a large pot of salted water and bring it to a boil. Allow the potatoes to cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.

3. Drain and return to the pot: Once the potatoes are tender, drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot.

4. Mash the potatoes: Add the butter, milk or cream, salt, and pepper to the potatoes. Use a potato masher or a hand mixer to mash until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Set aside while you prepare the filling.

Make the Filling:

1. Heat oil in a skillet: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

2. Cook the vegetables: Add the diced onions and carrots to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, or until softened.

3. Add the garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

4. Brown the meat: Add the ground lamb (or beef) to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

5. Stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce: Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and dried thyme to the pan, stirring to combine.

6. Add beef broth and simmer: Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.

7. Stir in the peas: Add the frozen peas and season the filling with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until the peas are heated through.

Assemble and Bake:

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to preheat while you assemble the dish.

2. Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish: Pour the meat filling into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.

3. Spread the mashed potatoes: Carefully spoon the mashed potatoes over the meat mixture, spreading them out to cover the filling entirely.

4. Create texture with a fork: Use a fork to create texture on the surface of the mashed potatoes. This will help the potatoes brown and become crispy during baking.

5. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.

Serve:

• Let it rest: Once out of the oven, allow the Shepherd’s Pie to rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This gives it time to set and makes it easier to slice.

• Enjoy: Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of Shepherd’s Pie with your loved ones!