Middle Eastern Shepherd's Pie With Lamb (Kibbit Batata)

shepherd's pie in clear glass baking dish

This Middle Eastern shepherd's pie is filling, cozy, and full of Mediterranean flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg! Lamb and pine nuts add a savory twist.

Course Main

Cuisine Middle Eastern

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 548 kcal

Author Haniya Cherry

Ingredients

Potato Kibbi

5 pounds potatoes medium
1-1/2 cups raw and/or whole milk
sea salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
ground cinnamon to taste

Lamb Stuffing

1 pound grass-fed or pastured ground lamb
2 tablespoons grass-fed butter or coconut oil, lard, etc.
2 onions medium, finely diced
1/2 cup pine nuts
sea salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
ground cinnamon to taste
ground nutmeg to taste

Instructions

Boil potatoes until soft. No need to peel them first, unless you prefer it. (Tip: To cut down on time, use your Instant Pot or other pressure cooker!)
While potatoes are boiling, brown lamb in a medium-size pot with fat and onions.
Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, adjusting the temperature lower as the pan heats up. Stir frequently if not continuously so that the nuts don't burn.
Remove from heat when most of the pine nuts are golden brown.
Season lamb when cooked through, adjusting to taste.
Stir in toasted pine nuts.
When potatoes are cooked, drain water.
Add milk and seasonings.
Mash until smooth.
Adjust seasonings, to taste.
In a 9x13" cake pan, spread half of the mashed potato mixture.
Layer all of lamb mixture over top.
Spread the other half of the potato mixture over the lamb.
Use a spoon to create swirls in the surface of the potatoes, if desired.
Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Bake in oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.
Then broil for about 3-5 minutes until slightly golden.
Remove from oven and cut into squares.
Serve with a green salad, or if desired, topped with sautéed bell peppers and onions for garnish. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Can be made a day ahead!

Nutrition Facts

Middle Eastern Shepherd's Pie With Lamb (Kibbit Batata)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 548 Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Fat 28g43%

Saturated Fat 11g69%

Cholesterol 67mg22%

Sodium 140mg6%

Potassium 1709mg49%

Carbohydrates 53g18%

Fiber 10g42%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 25g50%

Vitamin A 150IU3%

Vitamin C 46mg56%

Calcium 153mg15%

Iron 14mg78%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.