Pin A comforting, affordable classic featuring savory ground beef and vegetables, topped with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes and baked until golden.
The first time I made this shepherd's pie, it quickly became a weeknight staple that everyone looked forward to. There's something special about the layers of flavor and cheesy topping that makes it a go-to comfort dish.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: 500 g (1 lb), or use ground turkey/lamb for variation
- Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Carrots: 2 medium, diced
- Frozen peas: 1 cup
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp
- Dried thyme: 1 tsp
- Dried rosemary: 1 tsp
- Beef or vegetable broth: 250 ml (1 cup)
- All-purpose flour: 2 tbsp, or cornstarch for gluten-free
- Vegetable oil: 2 tbsp
- Salt and black pepper: to taste
- Potatoes: 800 g (about 1¾ lbs), peeled and chopped
- Milk: 60 ml (¼ cup)
- Butter: 2 tbsp
- Shredded cheddar cheese: 100 g (1 cup)
- Salt and black pepper: to taste (for the topping)
Instructions
- Prep Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Boil Potatoes:
- Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
- Mash Potatoes:
- Mash the potatoes with butter, milk, half the cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until creamy. Set aside.
- Sauté Veggies:
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and carrots, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
- Cook Beef:
- Add garlic and ground beef. Cook, breaking up meat, until browned and cooked through.
- Add Seasoning:
- Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add Flour:
- Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stir in, and cook for another minute.
- Simmer with Broth:
- Pour in broth and bring to a simmer. Add peas and cook for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Assemble:
- Transfer the beef mixture to a baking dish (about 20x20 cm/8x8 inch). Spread evenly.
- Top with Potatoes:
- Spoon mashed potatoes over the filling, smooth the top, and sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese.
- Bake:
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Serve:
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Pin This pie always brings smiles when served at family gatherings. Everyone dives in for a hearty scoop and appreciates the rich flavors layered under the creamy, golden potato crust.
Serving Suggestions
Pair the shepherd's pie with a simple green salad or steamed greens for a well-rounded meal. Freshly chopped herbs on top add color and extra flavor.
Allergen Information
This recipe contains dairy (cheese, butter, milk), wheat (flour), and fish (Worcestershire sauce may contain anchovies). For gluten-free, swap flour for cornstarch and check your sauce.
Nutrition
Each serving provides approximately 525 calories, 25 g total fat, 44 g carbohydrates, and 29 g protein—a filling and balanced choice for dinner.
Pin Shepherd's pie is best enjoyed hot out of the oven and makes delicious leftovers, too. It's a true comfort food classic your family will love.
Recipe Questions
- → Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with cornstarch and ensure Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free to keep the dish safe for gluten-sensitive diets.
- → What are good alternatives to ground beef?
Ground turkey, lamb, lentils, or plant-based mince can be used to vary the flavor and accommodate dietary preferences.
- → How do I achieve a creamy mashed potato topping?
Boil potatoes until tender, then mash with butter, milk, and half the cheese. Adding cheese offers a rich, creamy texture and flavor.
- → Can I add extra vegetables to the filling?
Yes, adding frozen corn or other leftover vegetables boosts nutrition and adds more texture to the filling.
- → What cooking tools are essential for this dish?
You’ll need a large pot for boiling potatoes, a skillet for cooking the filling, a baking dish for assembling, and a potato masher for the topping.
- → How long should the dish bake?
Bake the assembled dish for 20–25 minutes at 200°C (400°F), until the mashed potato topping is golden and the filling is bubbling.