Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (2024)

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If you’re searching for a delicious comfort food dinner recipe you’ve come to the right recipe. One of my favorite comfort food recipes is my easy shepherd’s pie. It’s filling and warm and perfect for any weather.

Typically, shepherd’s pie is made with lamb or mutton. For me, lamb can be pricey and mutton is difficult to find so I use ground beef or ground turkey to make my version of shepherd’s pie.

Did you know that shepherd’s pie is also known as cottage pie? According to Wikipedia, it was first made when potatoes were considered a food that was affordable for those who lived in modest, cottage homes.

No matter what you call it this dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner. You can even make the ground beef filling ahead of time and freeze it, cutting the prep time in half!

Oh, and my whole family loves this recipe which makes it perfect for feeding three growing teenage boys.

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Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (1)

Here’s the recipe. Scroll down for a printable version if you need one.

Ingredients
Beef Filling:
2 lbs of ground beef
6 oz of tomato pasteEasy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (2)
12 oz of frozen mixed vegetables
2 tsp saltEasy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (3)
1 tsp onion powderEasy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (4)
1 tsp garlic powderEasy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (5)
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

Mashed Potatoes:
4 medium potatoes (peeled and chopped)
1/2 cup of milk
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp salt

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375.
2. In a large pot, boil enough water to cook the potatoes.
3. In a large pot or skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat.
4. Peel and chop the potatoes while the water is boiling and the ground beef is cooking.
5.When the water boils, add the chopped potatoes and boil until soft.
6. When the ground beef is cooked, add the tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper, and vegetables.
7. Stir to combine.
8. When the potatoes are done, drain the water from them and return them to the pot.
9. Add the milk, butter, and salt and mix with a mixer until the potatoes are creamy.
10. Pour the ground beef mixture into a 13X9 baking dish and spread to cover the dish evenly.
11. Add the potatoes to the top of the mixture and spread to cover the beef evenly.
12. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Adding cheese to the top of the potatoes is recommended. One of my sons doesn’t like cheese with this dish, so I usually add cheese to only half of it as soon as it comes out of the oven.

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Ingredients

  • Beef Filling:
  • 2 lbs of ground beef
  • 6 oz of tomato paste
  • 12 oz of frozen mixed vegetables
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
  • Mashed Potatoes:
  • 4 medium potatoes peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375.

  • In a large pot, boil enough water to cook the potatoes.

  • In a large pot or skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat.

  • Peel and chop the potatoes while the water is boiling and the ground beef is cooking.

  • When the water boils, add the chopped potatoes and boil until soft.

  • When the ground beef is cooked, add the tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper and vegetables.

  • Stir to combine.

  • When the potatoes are done, drain the water from them and return them to the pot.

  • Add the milk, butter and salt and mix with a mixer until the potatoes are creamy.

  • Pour the ground beef mixture into a 13X9 baking dish and spread to cover the dish evenly.

  • Add the potatoes to the top of the mixture and spread to cover the beef evenly.

  • Bake for 25-30 minutes.

  • Adding cheese to the top of the potatoes is recommended. One of my sons doesn't like cheese with this dish, so I usually add cheese to only half of it as soon as it comes out of the oven.

Before you go!

This is how I get a real food dinner on the table on even the busiest evenings. It’s all about planning, baby. Check it out!

Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (7)


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Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are the ingredients for shepherds pie? ›

Shepherd's Pie Ingredients

Ground Beef: You could also ground lamb if you prefer. Mashed Potatoes: Use starchy potatoes (like russet or Yukon Gold) for the best mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes are also made with butter, onion, and Cheddar cheese.

Does shepherd's pie contain gravy? ›

This Easy Shepherd's Pie recipe is made with ground beef, brown gravy, and frozen vegetables in less than 30 minutes on the stove top. Broil in the oven for just 5 minutes and dinner is served! Make it with my homemade mashed potato recipe, or use up leftover mashed potatoes!

How do you keep shepherd's pie from falling apart? ›

How do you keep shepherds pie from falling apart? The eggs in the mashed potatoes help keep the pie together. You should also make sure to spread the potatoes and press down a bit.

How do you make shepherd's pie not runny? ›

Thicken the filling

Step 3: Two ingredients help create a gravy-like consistency in the shepherd's pie recipe: tomato paste and flour. The concentrated tomatoes disperse and lightly thicken the beef stock. The flour is stirred with the meat and then swells and reduces as the liquid simmers.

Does shepherd's pie have cheese in it? ›

The Shepherd's Pie has saucy ground meat and vegetables covered in a a mashed potato crust, sprinkled with shredded cheese, and baked to bubbly perfection.

How long to boil potatoes for mashed potatoes? ›

Once boiling, reduce heat, adjusting as needed to maintain a simmer. Cook potatoes until they offer no resistance when pierced: 10–12 minutes for baby potatoes, 15–20 minutes for small potatoes, or 30–40 minutes for large cubed potatoes. Drain potatoes in a colander and let cool 10 minutes.

What can I use instead of Worcestershire in shepherd's pie? ›

Soy sauce: Soy sauce offers a savory, umami-rich flavor that can substitute for Worcestershire sauce. Use it in equal parts or adjust to taste. Balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar adds a slightly sweet and tangy flavor, similar to Worcestershire sauce. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? ›

Classic shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb, gravy, mashed potatoes, and veggies like peas, corn, celery, and carrots. Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? Avoid a soggy pie by simmering the meat mixture for at least 8 minutes. Be sure to cook down the mixture to remove excess moisture.

What to eat shepherd's pie with? ›

What to Serve With Shepherd's Pie: 20 Delicious Ideas for a Comforting Dinner
  • 01 of 21. Amazingly Easy Irish Soda Bread. ...
  • 02 of 21. Classic Caesar Salad. ...
  • 03 of 21. Honey Roasted Carrots. ...
  • 04 of 21. Quick and Easy Yorkshire Pudding. ...
  • 05 of 21. Green Salad. ...
  • 06 of 21. Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • 07 of 21. Great Garlic Bread. ...
  • 08 of 21.
Feb 7, 2024

Why does my potato sink in shepherds pie? ›

Residual moisture from the potatoes will drip into the beef below as it cooks, and too much of it will cause the potatoes to eventually sink. Aside from ridding your potatoes of excess moisture before you mash them, it also helps to cool the beef down, BBC Good Food shares.

What is the best bakeware for shepherd's pie? ›

A large oven proof Le Creuset, metal handled frying pan or enamel coated cast iron pan works well. Or you can cook your meat in a frying pan and then transfer it to a ceramic or glass lasagna dish to bake. Alternatively you can make individual pies in ramekins or small ovenproof dishes.

Why is flour used in shepherds pie? ›

This shepherd's pie recipe uses 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the gravy but if you feel like the meat mixture is too watery, add in another tablespoon and stir to combine. You may also try simmering the mince mixture for longer so that the stock reduces down and thickens.

How long does homemade shepherd's pie last? ›

Freshly baked shepherd's pie will keep for about 3 to 5 days in the fridge refrigerate covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

How can I make my meat pie filling thicker? ›

Thicken your pie filling (optional).
  1. Mix two tsp. of flour with 1/4 cup cold water or 1 tbsp. cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water before stirring it into your mixture.
  2. Thicken with flour. For each cup of filling, use about 2 tbsp. of flour. ...
  3. Thicken with cornstarch. For each cup of sauce, use 1 tbsp. of cornstarch.

What is British cottage pie? ›

Traditional in Britain, a Cottage Pie referred to a beef layer topped with slices of potato (recreating the tiles of a cottage) and a shepherds pie referred to a lamb layer with mash on top.

What does cottage pie contain? ›

Cottage Pie – comfort food central! This English classic has a deeply savoury beef mince filling smothered in gravy topped with creamy mashed potato, baked until golden. One of the best cosy foods to make with ground beef!

Where is shepherds pie made from? ›

shepherd's pie, dish of British Isles origin that makes use of vegetables and chopped meat cooked in a casserole topped with or surrounded by mashed potatoes.

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