A classic and hearty Shepherd’s Pie Recipe. The bottom layer is ground beef with veggies in a flavor-packed gravy sauce then topped with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes.
This is an easy one-pan dish that makes for the ultimate comfort just like the chicken pot pie and ground beef chili.
EASY SHEPHERD’S PIE RECIPE-
Shepherd’s Pie (also known as Cottage Pie, depending on the meat used) is ground meat (lamb or beef) with vegetables of choice cooked in gravy then layered with mashed potatoes. It’s such an easy one-pan dish and is extremely simple to make (just takes a little bit of baking.. be patient.. worth every minute).
Since the pie already has meat, veggies, and potatoes in the dish, you don’t need them aside. However, fresh dinner rolls would really complete the dinner!
HOW TO MAKE SHEPHERD’S PIE-
- Cook potatoes– Prepare the mashed potatoes (we like using THIS recipe).
- Cook meat– Saute the meat with the onion until browned, breaking up the meat as it’s cooked. Season the meat with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper.
- Make gravy– Stir in garlic, then flour and add the bay leaves. Pour in the broth, cook until gravy thickens. Add the chopped tomatoes, ketchup and season with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper (or to taste).
- Add vegetables– Mix in the vegetables and cook until tender (fresh or frozen will work).
- Assemble the pie– In a 8-inch casserole dish, add the meat and vegetables mixture. Add spoonfuls of mashed potatoes, then spread out evenly.
- Bake pie– Bake the Shepherd’s pie uncovered for about 30 minutes until the tops of the mashed potatoes are golden.
Can I freeze the pie-
Yes, this pie freezes GREAT! Shepherd’s pie may be frozen before or after baking and will keep in the freezer up to 2 months.
- Uncooked – Prepare as per instructions and freeze before baking. Cover with foil and tightly wrap with a few layers of plastic wrap.
- To bake: Completely thaw in the refrigerator before baking. Bake per instruction.
- Cooked – Allow the pie to cool completely. Cover the dish with foil and wrap with a few layers of plastic wrap. Thaw and reheat covered with foil until heated or microwave until warm.
How long do I cook Shepherd’s pie-
The bake time of the pie will depend on the size of your casserole dish. The thicken the layers the longer the bake time will be.
- 8” square– 375°F for 30-35 minutes.
- 10” round or 13” rectangle– 375°F for 25-30 minutes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-
Can I make shepherd’s pie ahead of time?
Assemble the shepherd’s pie according to the instructions and then store in the fridge overnight then bake according to recipe instructions.
Can I substitute the ground beef?
Yes, you can use beef, chicken, pork, and lamb for this recipe.
Can I add cheese to this pie dish?
The classic shepherd’s pie doesn’t call for cheese but you can top the pie with shredded cheese for a cheesy pie.
More comfort foods
If you love comfort food as much as we do, you’ll love these other dinner recipes.
- Best Bolognese Sauce
- Beef Goulash
- Pasta fa*gioli
- Mini Stuffed Peppers
- Baked Ziti
- Meatball Recipe
Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe with Beef
Author: Valentina
4.77 from 13 votes
Homemade easy Classic Sheperd's Pie Recipe, pure comfort food. Sauteed ground beef with vegetables in a gravy topped with mashed potatoes and baked. Quick casserole for busy evenings.
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs mashed potato
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (10%-15% fat)
- 1 Tbsp oil
- 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup chicken broth (or beef broth)
- 3 Tbsp diced tomatoes
- 2 tsp ketchup
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, more if desired
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Prepare mashed potatoes-
Peel, quarter and boil potatoes. Once cooked, mash. We like to use our mashed potatoes recipe.
Meat and vegetables-
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a skillet, heat 1 Tbsp oil. Once hot, saute the ground beef with onions, breaking apart the meat as it's cooking.
Stir in the garlic and then flour, add the bay leaves. Pour in the broth.
When the mixture thickens, add in the chopped tomatoes, ketchup, season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
Add in the vegetables and bring to a simmer again, stirring as needed.
Transfer the meat mixture to the bottom of a casserole dish, discarding the bay leaves. Top with creamy mashed potatoes.
With the back of a fork, add design to potatoes.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until potatoes start to turn golden.
Enjoy, friends!
Notes
Freezing option:
- Uncooked – Cover with foil and tightly wrap with a few layers of plastic wrap.
- Cooked – Cool completely, cover with foil and plastic wrap. Completely thaw before cooking or reheating.
Nutrition
436kcal Calories27g Carbs25g Protein25g Fat8g Saturated Fat80mg Cholesterol652mg Sodium1063mg Potassium5g Fiber0g Sugar1610IU Vitamin A25.3mg Vitamin C81mg Calcium7.6mg Iron
- Full Nutrition Label
Nutrition Facts
Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe with Beef
Amount Per Serving
Calories 436Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 80mg27%
Sodium 652mg28%
Potassium 1063mg30%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 0g0%
Protein 25g50%
Vitamin A 1610IU32%
Vitamin C 25.3mg31%
Calcium 81mg8%
Iron 7.6mg42%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
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Leave a comment
30 comments
- Carrie Anne
Hi
Do you think you could use canned mixed vegetables or would they be too mushy?
Have 2 cans and don’t know what to do with them.
Thank you for all the great recipes.- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
You sure can and they’d work just great! I hope you love the recipe and thank you so much for being a part of our online family.
- Reply
- Nancy
I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious! I would definitely make this again.
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Nancy, we are so glad you tried our shepherd’s pie recipe!
- Reply
- marion
yep, beaut recipe for a COTTAGE PIE, with vegies from Cottage Garden, – but a SHEPHERDS PIE is made with ground Roast Lamb pieces fed into your mincer, as my German Grandma did back in the 1940’s, War Years, her mincer was screwed to her kitchen table and us kids helped her turn the handle,, she mixed that ground Lamb with Tomato sauce and a dash of Worcestershire Sauce, topped with mash potato and browned in her wood oven, it didnt need baking – its meat already cooked,, no vegies added, but served beside it,, please do try it,, that texture and flavour of the Roast Lamb is nothing like a Cottage Pie at all,, – Shepherds didnt herd cattle either,, I dont understand why so much confusion re these recipes when they are completely different??? regards to all top cooks out there ,,, marion
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Marion, thank you so much for the detailed explanation.
- Reply
- Lori D.
I had high hopes for this recipe but it turned out very mushy. I accidentally added too many diced tomatoes (a 14oz can) although I drained the liquid very well. Other than that I followed the recipe exactly.
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Lori, going from 3 Tbsp diced tomatoes to a can of tomatoes is a huge difference and that would cause the mushiness.
- Reply
- Toni
I love how comforting and satisfying this is! Can’t wait to make it again!
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Thank you, Toni. I’m so glad you enjoyed the Sheperd’s Pie.
- Reply
- Samantha
Shepherd’s Pie is my favorite way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, and this version was fantastic! Great flavor…easy to make…thank you!
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
It really is a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes, Samantha. So glad you enjoyed the flavors of the dish.
- Reply
- Allyssa
This is really delicious and very flavorful! Thanks a bunch for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again for sure! Loved it!
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Wonderful, Allyssa. I’m so glad you enjoyed the easy recipe.
- Reply
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