Pâté Chinois - Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie may have roots in Britain and Ireland, but in Canada it found a second life as pâté chinois — a French-Canadian classic that’s become part of everyday food culture. Simple layers of seasoned beef, sweet corn, and buttery mashed potatoes made it a staple in Quebec households, school cafeterias, and community suppers. It’s comfort food at its most familiar: hearty, humble, and tied to Canadian winters where a single dish could feed the whole family.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Serves: 6–8

Ingredients

For the Potato Topping

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 75 g (5 tbsp) butter

• ½ cup (120 ml) milk or cream

• Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Filling

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 carrots, diced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• 500 g (1 lb) ground beef (or lamb for variation)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 cup (240 ml) beef stock

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)

• 1 cup frozen peas or corn (classic Quebecois versions favour creamed corn)

• Salt & pepper, to taste

Method

• Make the mashed potatoes – Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, then mash with butter and milk until smooth. Season to taste.

• Cook the filling – Heat oil in a skillet, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened. Add garlic, then brown the meat. Stir in tomato paste, thyme, Worcestershire, and stock. Simmer 10–15 minutes until thickened. Stir in peas or corn.

• Assemble the pie – Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Spread the meat filling in a baking dish. Top evenly with mashed potatoes, fluffing the surface with a fork for crispy peaks.

• Bake & serve – Bake 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling. Rest briefly before serving.

Variations

• Classic Quebecois: Use creamed corn instead of peas for the traditional pâté chinois.

• British style: Swap beef for lamb for a nod to original shepherd’s pie roots.

• Vegetarian: Replace the meat with lentils and mushrooms for a hearty, plant-based version.