Shepherd’s Pie Recipe Easy

The Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie – AKA Shepards Pie or Cottage Pie. Ground Beef (or lamb) with vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes, and baked.

So, this is how you spell it: Shepherd’s Pie. But, from doing a quick google search, it came to my attention that TONS of people think it’s Shepards Pie.

Traditional Irish Shepherd’s Pie would actually call for ground lamb. The difference between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie is the meat. Cottage Pie uses ground beef, while Shepherd’s Pie uses ground lamb.

I called this recipe Shepherd’s Pie. But, I wrote the recipe so that you could use ground beef or ground lamb.

I typically use ground beef because it is widely available. But, for a special occasion, like St. Patricks day, I would use ground lamb.

Making the best Shepherd’s Pie is not difficult. But, there are a few steps to it. You have to make the meat mixture, the mashed potatoes, assemble the casserole, and bake it.

I find that the easiest way to make this dish is to work ahead. You could make the beef or lamb mixture ahead of time. Or, you could make the mashed potatoes ahead of time.

You could also make the whole recipe ahead of time. Just assemble the casserole, cover the dish, and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it. I find it is best to bake it within 3 days of preparing it.

When you are ready to bake it, take it out of the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before you need to bake it to let it start coming to room temperature. Uncover it, and bake.

Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

The Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie – AKA Shepards Pie or Cottage Pie. Ground Beef (or lamb) with vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes and baked.

Prep: 20min

Total: 70min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 /6th of the recipe

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 /6th of the recipe, calories 400 kcal, Carbohydrate 13 g, Protein 19 g, Fat 30 g, Saturated Fat 15 g, Cholesterol 97 mg, Sodium 751 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 2 g

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 lb. 90% lean ground beef (-or ground lamb)
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 garlic cloves (-minced)
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup frozen mixed peas & carrots*
• 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
• 1 1/2 – 2 lb. russet potatoes (-about 2 large potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes)
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (-1 stick)
• 1/3 cup half & half
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instruction:

1. Set the meat mixture aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Add the parmesan cheese to the potatoes. Stir until well combined.
3. If the baking dish looks very full, place it on a rimmed baking sheet so that the filling doesn’t bubble over into your oven. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.** Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Easy Shepherd’s Pie

This Easy Sheperd’s Pie recipe has a delicious ground beef filling with gravy and frozen vegetables. Prepare it on the Stove Top in less than 30 minutes, then broil for 5. This is a perfect shortcut dinner for busy weeknights and a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.

Prep: 5min

Total: 30min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 528 kcal, Carbohydrate 52 g, Protein 26 g, Fat 24 g, Saturated Fat 9 g, Cholesterol 81 mg, Sodium 451 mg, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 4 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• ¾ cup yellow onion (finely diced)
• 1 rib celery (finely diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 lb. ground beef (I used 85% lean)
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup brown gravy
• Salt/Pepper
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 3 cups mashed potatoes

Instruction:

1. My homemade mashed potato recipe is perfect for this recipe, you’ll make a half batch to end up with 3 cups. While the potatoes boil, prepare the filling.
2. Season with salt/pepper and add more gravy if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat.
3. Use a fork to “rake” lines into the mashed potatoes.
4. Remove from heat and serve.

Shepherd’s Pie

Try this super easy and incredibly delicious classic Shepherd’s Pie recipe, made with American-style with ground beef.

Prep: 20min

Total: 1h25min

Yield: 6 – 8 serving(s)

Nutrition Facts: calories 563 Calories, Fat 36 g, Saturated Fat 15 g, Trans Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 107 mg, Sodium 893 mg, Carbohydrate 31 g, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 5 g, Protein 26 g

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb. potatoes, peeled
• Kosher salt
• 4 tbsp. melted butter
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1/4 c. sour cream
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. fresh thyme
• 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
• 1 c. frozen peas
• 1 c. frozen corn
• 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 2/3 c. low-sodium chicken broth
• Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Instruction:

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Make mashed potatoes: In a large pot, cover potatoes with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until totally soft, 16 to 18 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
2. Use a potato masher to mash potatoes until smooth. Add melted butter, milk, and sour cream. Mash together until fully incorporated, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. Make beef mixture: In a large, ovenproof skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion, carrots, garlic, and thyme and cook until fragrant and softened, 5 minutes. Add ground beef, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook until no longer pink, 5 minutes more. Drain fat.
4. Stir in frozen peas and corn and cook until warmed through, 3 minutes more.
5. Sprinkle meat with flour and stir to evenly distribute. Cook 1 minute more and add chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and let mixture thicken slightly, 5 minutes.
6. Top beef mixture with an even layer of mashed potatoes and bake until there is very little liquid visible and mashed potatoes are golden, about 20 minutes. Broil if desired.
7. Garnish with parsley before serving.

Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

This easy shepherd’s pie is a classic comfort food recipe that’s hearty, filling, and perfect for the winter season or St. Patrick’s Day. Watch the video above to cook along with me!

Prep: 20min

Total: 60min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 606 kcal, Carbohydrate 38 g, Protein 25 g, Fat 40 g, Saturated Fat 17 g, Cholesterol 105 mg, Sodium 758 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 6 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds russet potatoes (peeled and quartered)
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup butter
• salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 large onion (diced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 large carrots (peeled and diced)
• 2 celery stalk (diced)
• 1½ pounds ground lamb or ground beef
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth (or if using ground beef use beef broth)
• 1½ tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (see notes above)
• 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (finely chopped)
• 1 cup frozen peas

Instruction:

1. Place the potatoes in a pot on the stove and cover with cold water. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Cook for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork.
2. Drain the potatoes in a colander, then return to the pot. Add the milk, butter, salt and pepper and mash until creamy.
3. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large oven-safe saute pan, heat the oil on medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute for a minute. Then add the diced carrots, diced celery, and lamb. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the meat is browned. Use your spatula to break up the meat while cooking.
4. Drain the fat from the pan and add the broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until the sauce is slightly thickened.
5. Add the frozen peas and stir together. Turn off the stove and use the back of your spatula to flatten the meat mixture into a single layer.
6. Dollop the mashed potatoes on top of the meat and use a spoon or spatula to spread it flat to the edges. If desired, create texture in the potato topping with a spoon or fork.
7. Bake the shepherd’s pie until slightly golden, about 25 to 30 minutes. You can broil the top for 1 to 2 minutes as well.

Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

FAQ

What is traditional shepherd’s pie made of?

How do you keep mashed potatoes from sinking in shepherd’s pie?

Does shepherd’s pie have gravy in it?

What is in shepherds pie seasoning mix?

1. Salt – 1 tsp.
2. Garlic powder – 1 tsp.
3. Mustard powder (opt) – 1/2 tsp.
4. Black pepper – 1/2 tsp.
5. Thyme, dried – 1/2 tsp.
6. Parsley, dried (opt) – 1/2 tsp.