Savory Beef and Vegetable Shepherd's Pie

1. Cook Vegetables

Begin by heating 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it starts to foam. Add the finely chopped onion and carrots, and cook them for about 8 minutes until they become soft and their aroma fills your kitchen.

2. Cook Beef

Add the ground beef to the skillet, seasoning it with 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook the meat for about 12 minutes, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it browns.

3. Thicken Mixture

Sprinkle 5 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the meat and mix in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Cook for about a minute until the tomato paste darkens.

4. Add Liquids and Simmer

Pour in 0.25 cup of heavy cream and cook for about a minute until it starts to spatter. Then, add 1.75 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, 0.75 cup of beer, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 2 teaspoons of minced fresh thyme leaves. Allow the mixture to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens but remains saucy.

5. Add Peas and Transfer to Dish

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in 1 cup of frozen peas. Adjust the seasoning if necessary, then transfer the mixture to a broiler-safe 2-quart casserole dish.

6. Preheat Oven

Adjust your oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat the oven to 375°F.

7. Cook Potatoes

In a large saucepan, bring the peeled and cut russet potatoes, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and enough water to cover the potatoes to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the potatoes simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until they are tender when pierced with a fork.

8. Mash Potatoes

Drain the potatoes and return them to the saucepan. Mash them with 2 tablespoons of melted butter and 0.33 cup of warmed heavy cream until they are smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

9. Top with Mashed Potatoes

Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the filling in the casserole dish, smoothing the top with a spatula. Brush the surface with a beaten egg, then use a fork to make ridges.

10. Bake and Broil

Bake the shepherd's pie in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes until the filling is bubbling. Then, turn on the broiler and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the top is golden brown.

11. Cool and Serve

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving.