Shepherd's Pie Recipe (With Video and Step-by-Step)

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

35 mins

Servings:

4

When we think of comfort food, we think of casseroles. And when we think of casseroles, this decorvow shepherd’s pie recipe is one of the first things that comes to mind. It's such a good dinner on cold evenings when you’re craving something hearty and good for the soul. Traditionally, this English dish was made with ground lamb, and the same mashed potato-topped dish made with ground beef was called cottage pie. Since the recipe made it stateside, it has taken on many iterations, and ground beef is now the norm. Our recipe is an especially easy take on the classic, using frozen mixed vegetables for a make-ahead, family-friendly casserole you can enjoy any night of the week.

Shepherd's Pie Components

Just a few basic ingredients combine to create something truly delectable.

Ground beef: The base for this recipe is ground beef. The meat is browned in a pot with oil to start the cooking process, but once it’s in the oven, it simmers and becomes tender.
Aromatics: This is where shepherd's pie recipes will start to vary. Some include garlic; others tomato paste; some fresh herbs. This recipe is fairly simple, relying on fragrant onions, garlic, dried thyme, and ketchup to build flavor. Don't rush, sweat the alliums and herbs; this step makes a big impact on the overall dish.
Vegetables: You can use any fresh vegetables you like for shepherd's pie, but for this easy version, opt for a bag of frozen mixed vegetables since we like to make this on weeknights. There’s no need to defrost the vegetables, either. Just stir in a whole bag of a vegetable medley, one with peas, carrots, and corn, is our favorite combination.
Mashed potatoes: The topping makes the dish! Shepherd’s pie typically uses classic mashed potatoes, but feel free to give them your own spin by adding caramelized garlic or cream cheese for extra flavor or decadent richness.

decorvow

For Thanksgiving, I like to make the famous mashed potatoes my mother, "Big Martha," used to serve. They’re decadently delicious—made with cream cheese and butter—and are always a hit.

— decorvow

Decorating the Mashed Potato Topping

Shepherd’s pie is well-known and loved for having a rustic pattern in the mashed potato topping. This is so simple to do—all you need is a fork. You’ll use the tines of the fork to trace lines through the mash and create a woven look.

If you feel like putting in the extra work, you can always transfer the mashed potatoes to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe on a pattern. Either pipe individual dollops all around the surface or drag the piping bag along the top to create ridged rows.

Making the Best Mashed Potatoes: For the most classic mashed potatoes, use russet or Yukon gold potatoes. Russet potatoes have the highest starch content, which is ideal for mashed potatoes; Yukon golds are less starchy, but they make up for it with their rich, buttery texture, which translates so nicely to a mash. To get 3 cups of mashed potatoes required for this recipe, you’ll need to start with about 1½ pounds of potatoes.

How to Make Shepherd's Pie In Advance

You can make shepherd's pie in advance by making the components but not assembling the dish. Store the ground beef filling and mashed potatoes separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, then assemble just before you’re ready to bake. If you’re starting with cold ingredients, add another 10 minutes or so to the baking time.

Directions

Shepherds Pie Ingredients — Brie Goldman

Preheat oven and cook beef:

Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat a large (5-quart) heavy pot or Dutch oven over high. Cook beef, breaking up meat with a spoon, until no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened, about 4 minutes.

Brie Goldman
Add thyme, ketchup, and flour, then vegetables and water; cook briefly until thickened:

Add thyme, ketchup, and flour; stir until combined. Add 1/2 cup water and vegetables. Cook until vegetables are warmed through and liquid has thickened, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Brie Goldman
Assemble pie:

Spoon beef mixture into a 2-quart baking dish. Spread potatoes evenly over beef; using a fork, decorate potatoes with lines and peaks.

Brie Goldman
Bake:

Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until potatoes are lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve.

Brie Goldman

5 Easy Shepherd's Pie Variations

Feel free to play around with this recipe to make it your own:

Use a mix of ground meat: Instead of using all ground beef, consider swapping half for another meat, such as lamb, turkey, or a plant-based alternative.

Make a plant-powered swap: Canned beans or cooked lentils can also be substituted for half of the ground beef. This will add extra fiber without sacrificing any protein.

Bulk it up: Mushrooms are an excellent way to make this dish even more hearty and filling. Even the mushroom skeptics at your table will be pleasantly surprised. Their earthy, neutral flavor just soaks up the flavors of everything else.

Switch up the mash: When making the mashed potatoes, swap half of the spuds for an even more nutritious vegetable, such as turnips, parsnips, or sweet potatoes. In fact, you could go all-in and just use mashed sweet potatoes instead.

Add some greens: To add a serving of greens to the dish, sauté some cabbage or leafy greens like kale, spinach, or Swiss chard and stir them into the mashed potatoes.

Reheating Leftover Shepherd's Pie

When reheating leftover shepherd's pie, you can keep it in the same casserole dish, cover it with aluminum foil, and place it in a 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes, until warmed through.

What to Serve With Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd’s pie makes a satisfying meal since it’s already packed with protein, carbohydrates, and fiber, but it’s always nice to have a side dish. We suggest you keep it extra simple, especially on weeknights. A green salad is always a hit, or you can easily roast some seasonal vegetables while the casserole bakes. Try honey-roasted root vegetables or lemony Brussels sprouts, or give a bunch of broccoli rabe a quick sauté on the stovetop.

More Shepherd's Pie Recipes to Try

Updated by

Riley Wofford

Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie Components

decorvow

Decorating the Mashed Potato Topping

How to Make Shepherd's Pie In Advance

Directions

Preheat oven and cook beef:

Add thyme, ketchup, and flour, then vegetables and water; cook briefly until thickened:

Assemble pie:

Bake:

5 Easy Shepherd's Pie Variations

Reheating Leftover Shepherd's Pie

What to Serve With Shepherd's Pie

More Shepherd's Pie Recipes to Try

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