Description
This Easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe features a hearty ground beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, it combines savory flavors with simple ingredients for a classic British-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen carrots
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
For the Mashed Potatoes
- 4 cups mashed potatoes (prepared, or about 2 pounds fresh potatoes)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once done, drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Build the Base: Stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the beef and mix well to combine, which will help thicken the gravy later.
- Make Gravy and Add Veggies: Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps, forming a thick gravy. Add the frozen peas, carrots, and corn to the skillet. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to meld. Season with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme.
- Prepare Mashed Potatoes: If using fresh potatoes, boil peeled potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well and mash with butter and milk. Season with salt to taste. If using prepared mashed potatoes, warm slightly to make spreading easier.
- Assemble the Pie: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the beef and vegetable filling evenly in a baking dish. Top with the mashed potatoes, spreading them evenly and using a fork to create ridges on the surface for a crispy texture.
- Bake: Place the assembled shepherd’s pie in the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes or until the mashed potato topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to settle.
Notes
- Use freshly prepared mashed potatoes for the best texture, or leftovers work well too.
- Drain excess fat from the beef to avoid a greasy filling.
- Feel free to substitute ground lamb for beef for a traditional shepherd’s pie flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Vegetables can be swapped with other favorites like green beans or mushrooms.
