A Classic, Hearty Dish That’s Perfect for Family Dinners!
This Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate comfort food—savory ground beef and veggies in a rich gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden and bubbly. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a one-dish wonder that’s both filling and delicious!
📝 Ingredients Breakdown
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground lamb for traditional shepherd’s pie)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (adds depth)
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (or mixed veggies)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (for umami flavor)
- ½ cup beef broth (or chicken/vegetable broth)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
For the Topping:
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (homemade or instant)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra richness)
- 1 tbsp butter (for browning)
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions (With Pro Tips!)
1️⃣ Prep & Preheat
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish (or similar size).
📌 Pro Tip:
- Use leftover mashed potatoes for an even quicker meal!
2️⃣ Cook the Filling
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
- Add onion & garlic, cook 2–3 mins until soft.
- Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Simmer 5 mins.
- Add peas & carrots, cook until heated through. Season with salt & pepper.
📌 Pro Tip:
- Thicken the gravy with 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water if too runny.
3️⃣ Assemble the Pie
- Spread beef mixture in the baking dish.
- Top with mashed potatoes, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle with cheese (if using) and dot with butter.
📌 Pro Tip:
- Fluff potatoes with a fork for extra crispiness after baking.
4️⃣ Bake & Serve
- Bake 20–25 mins until golden and bubbly.
- Let cool 5 mins before serving.
📌 Serving Suggestion:
- Pair with a simple green salad or crusty bread.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make this ahead?
✅ Yes! Assemble (unbaked), cover, and refrigerate up to 2 days. Bake +5–10 mins.
2. Can I use fresh veggies?
✅ Yes! Sauté ½ cup diced carrots + ½ cup peas with the onions.
3. How do I store leftovers?
- Fridge: Up to 3 days (reheat in oven or microwave).
- Freeze: Up to 3 months (thaw & reheat covered).
4. Can I make it vegetarian?
✅ Yes! Swap beef for lentils or plant-based crumbles.
5. Why is my topping not crispy?
- Broil 2–3 mins at the end for extra browning.
🔥 Flavor Variations
- Cheesy Bacon: Add ½ cup cooked bacon + extra cheddar.
- Mushroom & Thyme: Sauté 1 cup mushrooms with onions + 1 tsp thyme.
- Sweet Potato Topping: Use mashed sweet potatoes instead.
⏱️ Time-Saving Tips
✔ Use frozen mashed potatoes (sold in some stores).
✔ Prep filling ahead (store in fridge until ready to assemble).
🍽 Serving Occasions
- Weeknight dinners
- St. Patrick’s Day feast
- Meal prep lunches
💬 Final Thoughts
This Shepherd’s Pie is warm, hearty, and packed with flavor—the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table! The creamy potatoes and savory beef make it a family favorite, while the easy prep makes it a weeknight lifesaver.
Perfect for cozy nights in! ❄️🍴
Tried it? Share your pics below! 📸👇🥧 Comforting Shepherd’s Pie with Savory Beef and Creamy Mashed Potatoes
A Classic, Hearty Dish That’s Perfect for Family Dinners!
This Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate comfort food—savory ground beef and veggies in a rich gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden and bubbly. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a one-dish wonder that’s both filling and delicious!
📝 Ingredients Breakdown
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground lamb for traditional shepherd’s pie)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (adds depth)
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (or mixed veggies)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (for umami flavor)
- ½ cup beef broth (or chicken/vegetable broth)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
For the Topping:
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (homemade or instant)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra richness)
- 1 tbsp butter (for browning)
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions (With Pro Tips!)
1️⃣ Prep & Preheat
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish (or similar size).
📌 Pro Tip:
- Use leftover mashed potatoes for an even quicker meal!
2️⃣ Cook the Filling
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
- Add onion & garlic, cook 2–3 mins until soft.
- Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Simmer 5 mins.
- Add peas & carrots, cook until heated through. Season with salt & pepper.
📌 Pro Tip:
- Thicken the gravy with 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water if too runny.
3️⃣ Assemble the Pie
- Spread beef mixture in the baking dish.
- Top with mashed potatoes, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle with cheese (if using) and dot with butter.
📌 Pro Tip:
- Fluff potatoes with a fork for extra crispiness after baking.
4️⃣ Bake & Serve
- Bake 20–25 mins until golden and bubbly.
- Let cool 5 mins before serving.
📌 Serving Suggestion:
- Pair with a simple green salad or crusty bread.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make this ahead?
✅ Yes! Assemble (unbaked), cover, and refrigerate up to 2 days. Bake +5–10 mins.
2. Can I use fresh veggies?
✅ Yes! Sauté ½ cup diced carrots + ½ cup peas with the onions.
3. How do I store leftovers?
- Fridge: Up to 3 days (reheat in oven or microwave).
- Freeze: Up to 3 months (thaw & reheat covered).
4. Can I make it vegetarian?
✅ Yes! Swap beef for lentils or plant-based crumbles.
5. Why is my topping not crispy?
- Broil 2–3 mins at the end for extra browning.
🔥 Flavor Variations
- Cheesy Bacon: Add ½ cup cooked bacon + extra cheddar.
- Mushroom & Thyme: Sauté 1 cup mushrooms with onions + 1 tsp thyme.
- Sweet Potato Topping: Use mashed sweet potatoes instead.
⏱️ Time-Saving Tips
✔ Use frozen mashed potatoes (sold in some stores).
✔ Prep filling ahead (store in fridge until ready to assemble).
🍽 Serving Occasions
- Weeknight dinners
- St. Patrick’s Day feast
- Meal prep lunches
💬 Final Thoughts
This Shepherd’s Pie is warm, hearty, and packed with flavor—the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table! The creamy potatoes and savory beef make it a family favorite, while the easy prep makes it a weeknight lifesaver.
Perfect for cozy nights in! ❄️🍴
Tried it? Share your pics below! 📸👇
