May 16, 2023
Review RecipeBest Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Simple and delicious, your family will love this shepherd’s pie. It’s a baked dish, complete with layers of flavorful ground beef, vegetables, and home-style mashed potatoes.
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This classic shepherd’s pie recipe is the ultimate savory comfort food! Perfectly seasoned ground beef and veggies are topped with creamy, homemade mashed potatoes before being baked in a casserole dish.
WHAT IS SHEPHERDS PIE?
Shepherd’s Pie is a dish that features ground meat such as lamb or ground beef cooked in a gravy with vegetables and spices that is then topped with mashed potatoes and baked.
Why is it called Shepherd’s Pie?
Since traditional Shepherd’s Pie was made with lamb and originated in sheep country in the United Kingdom, it was named for the people that look after the sheep or shepherds.
Is Shepherd’s Pie English or Irish?
Shepherd’s Pie originated in Ireland, but it can be found as a popular dish across the United Kingdom, especially in Northern England and Scotland as well.
SHEPHERD’S PIE RECIPE INGREDIENTS
You’ll need:
For the Mashed Potato Topping
- 2 pounds of potatoes, peeled and cut into big chunks
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ to ½ cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Filling
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 cups of frozen peas, carrot, and corn medley
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 1 bay leaf
SHEPHERD’S PIE SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
POTATOES: I usually use Russet potatoes to make my mashed potatoes for this recipe. You could also use red potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes. If you are in a hurry, you can also use instant mashed potatoes or pick up pre-made mashed potatoes from the store. If you enjoy sweet potatoes, you could even try making this with mashed sweet potatoes.
MEAT: You can also use ground lamb as your ground meat in this hearty dish. Another option is for when you have leftover pot roast. This is a great recipe to use it up!
VEGGIES: You can add mushrooms to the list of veggies if you’d like. You can also switch up the frozen veggie mix that you use or use fresh veggies if you prefer.
CHEESE: If you are a cheese lover, try adding shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the top of the mashed potatoes. You could even just try adding this to half of the dish.
TOPPINGS: Crispy bacon bits sprinkled on top of the mashed potatoes is one of my favorite additions to this easy shepherd’s pie recipe. You can make your own bacon and cut it up or use a store-bought package.
RED WINE: Some recipes call for red wine. It is entirely optional, but if you would like, you could use red wine in place of beef broth.
HOW TO MAKE SHEPHERD’S PIE
STEP ONE: In a large pot, boil the potatoes in water to cover until fork tender, and then drain the water.
STEP TWO: Add the butter, sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper to taste.
STEP THREE: Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or mixer until you reach your favorite mashed potato consistency. Set aside.
STEP FOUR: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef along with the onions and garlic. Drain any excess grease.
STEP FIVE: To the same skillet, add 2 cups of frozen vegetables, then cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
STEP SIX: Sprinkle the flour over the meat and veggies and stir to mix.
STEP SEVEN: Add the tomato paste and stir to mix it in.
STEP EIGHT: Then add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and then reduce heat to low.
STEP NINE: Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, adding additional broth if necessary to prevent the meat from drying out.
STEP TEN: Remove from heat. Spread the meat mixture in an even layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Make sure to remove the bay leaf before adding the beef mixture to the dish.
STEP ELEVEN: Top the meat with the mashed potatoes, making an even layer of potatoes.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
To help keep the mashed potatoes from sinking, allow the meat filling to cool in the casserole dish for about 20 minutes before layering the potatoes on.
STEP TWELVE: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set your casserole dish on the baking sheet in case anything bubbles over as the shepherd’s pie is cooking.
STEP THIRTEEN: Place the dish in the oven and bake at 350°F. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. After baking, you can place the dish under the broiler for a few minutes to brown the potatoes more if necessary.
PRO TIP:
You can get all fancy and pipe the potatoes onto the meat or you can use a spoon and spread the potatoes evenly and then use a fork to make designs and ridges in the potatoes.
HOW TO SERVE THIS RECIPE FOR SHEPHERDS PIE
This hearty dinner is a tasty family favorite. Add a Caesar salad for extra greens or fluffy dinner rolls to mop up all the delicious gravy on your plate.
After you master this dish, be sure to try out a couple of our other dinner favorites. This mashed potato casserole and this hamburger soup recipe are both hearty and filling.
MORE DINNER RECIPES
HOW TO STORE THIS SHEPHERDS PIE RECIPE
IN THE FRIDGE: You can pre-make this classic recipe one day before and leave it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. Likewise, if you have leftovers after cooking, they can be stored covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
IN THE FREEZER: To freeze, let your dish cool to room temperature after baking, then cover it tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the freezer for up to two months. To reheat, place in the oven, still covered, for one hour at 350°F.
You are going to love this simple recipe. It’s so easy and makes for a delicious and hearty meal that everyone in the family will love. The ease of making this dish, combined with classic ingredients, makes this a comforting dish that’s perfect for a busy winter night.
BEST SHEPHERD’S PIE RECIPE FAQs
What is the difference between cottage pie and shepherds?
Traditionally, cottage pie is made with ground beef, while shepherd’s pie uses ground lamb. You will often find the term used interchangeably now.
What is a shepherd’s pie called when it is made from beef?
When it is made from beef, shepherd’s pie is commonly referred to as cottage pie.
What is real shepherd’s pie made of?
Traditional shepherd’s pie is made of ground lamb and vegetables.
What is Irish shepherd’s pie made of?
Irish shepherd’s pie contains the same lamb and vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes as regular shepherd’s pie.
Can I make shepherd’s pie ahead of time and freeze it before serving?
This is a great make-ahead dish. Prepare it, let cool, and then freeze it for up to two months. Reheat at 350°F for one hour.
Can I use instant mashed potatoes in this recipe?
If you are looking to save time on this recipe, instant mashed potatoes will work just as well.
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Shepherd’s Pie
Simple and delicious, your family will love this shepherd’s pie. It’s a baked dish, complete with layers of flavorful ground beef, vegetables, and home-style mashed potatoes.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 10
Ingredients
Mashed Potato Topping
- 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into big chunks
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ to ½ cup milk
- salt and pepper, to taste
Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups frozen peas, carrots, and corn medley
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Boil the potatoes in water to cover until fork tender and then drain the water.
- Add the butter, sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper to taste and mash the potatoes with a hand masher or mixer until you reach your favorite mashed potato consistency. Set aside.
- In a large skillet brown the ground beef along with the onions and garlic. Drain any excess grease.
- To the same skillet add 2 cups of the frozen vegetables. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle the flour over the meat and veggies and stir to mix.
- Add the tomato paste and stir to mix it in.
- Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf.
- Bring to a simmer and then reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, adding additional broth if necessary to prevent the meat from drying out.
- Remove from heat. Spread the meat mixture in an even layer in a 9×13 dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Make sure to remove the bay leaf before adding the mixture to the 9×13 dish.
- Top the meat with the mashed potatoes making an even layer of potatoes. You can get all fancy and pipe the potatoes onto the meat or you can use a spoon and spread the potatoes evenly and then use a fork to make designs and ridges in the potatoes. These little ridges will brown nicely!
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until brown and bubbly. You can place it under the broiler for a few minutes to brown the potatoes more if necessary.
Video
Notes
- To help keep the mashed potatoes from sinking, allow the meat filling to cool in the casserole dish for about 20 minutes before layering the potatoes on.
- You can get all fancy and pipe the potatoes onto the meat or you can use a spoon and spread the potatoes evenly and then use a fork to make designs and ridges in the potatoes.
Nutrition
Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 163mg | Potassium: 636mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 432IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 4mg
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Comments
Deb says
Would mashed cauliflower work instead of potatoes? I have a bag of Trader Joe’s mashed cauliflower in the freezer I need to use. Thank you.
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Deb – we haven’t tried that but I would assume it would work. Enjoy!
Brenda says
Yummy. Thank you. To note: Shepherd’s Pie is made with lamb. When it’s made with beef (ground) it is called Cottage Pie.
Rose says
My trick is rotel tomatoes awesome
JP says
Yum!
I made a 1 POT out of this. After doing some volume measurements, i determined all this all fits easily into a 10″ cast iron skillet.
I made 3 modifications.
1. Lightly brown the ground beef, drain and set aside
2. In the remaining fat, bring the onion and garlic up, then…
3. Deglaze with your favorite porter or black and tan beer, about half a cup, then sub another half a cup for the broth.
Yum!
Amy Kelley says
I have made many shepherds pies in my life, but this was one of the best. Even my daughter ate it! And she usually doesnt eat anything that has vegetables in it. Definitely a good recipe to keep if you want a one dish hearty meal for a large family.
Sue Tulloch says
Wonderful recipe so much flavor