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    Home » Beef

    Shepherd's Pie

    Published: Apr 3, 2022 / Updated: Apr 18, 2022 / 57 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This classic shepherd's pie recipe has ground beef, veggies, and mashed potatoes to make the best comfort food! The rich, savory gravy is mouthwatering, and you can make this tasty and affordable meal ahead of time.

    Love mashed potatoes? Try this Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole.

    shepherd's pie on a plate with a fork

    What is shepherd's pie?

    It's a baked dish that has a ground meat and vegetable filling that's topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Even though purists will say that shepherd's pie must have lamb, according to the Oxford English Dictionary shepherd's pie was historically used synonymously in the UK with the term cottage pie, and it could have either lamb or beef (or whatever meat was on hand, if any. This is the 1800s, you guys). The more you know!

    Whatever you call it, this shepherd's pie recipe with ground beef is delicious. It's also actually simple and straightforward to make, and you totally shouldn't feel intimidated by it! This cozy complete meal will become a family favorite in your home since it's inexpensive and comforting and makes wonderful leftovers.

    Ingredients for it

    For the filling

    • Ground beef - we're using 90% lean. You can use lamb if you prefer.
    • Onion - we prefer sweet (Vidalia) onion, but yellow is great
    • Butter - for sautéing
    • Italian seasoning - it's a blend of fragrant dried herbs that comes in one convenient jar
    • Tomato paste - for richer flavor and hint of tomato
    • Flour - to thicken the sauce
    • Beef broth - it gives a deep savory quality
    • Worcestershire sauce - don't skip it! It's a fantastic way to infuse a ton of extra flavor
    • Frozen vegetables - peas, carrots, and corn were my pick

    For the mashed potatoes

    • Russet potatoes - I find these are best for mashed potatoes
    • Heavy cream and butter - I don't recommend changing these up. It makes these potatoes perfectly luxurious!
    • Garlic - along with salt & pepper, fresh garlic is all you really need to season mashed potatoes
    ingredients for shepherd's pie on a marble surface

    Can I use fresh veggies?

    • Sure! Frozen veggies are great for saving time since they're already partially cooked, but if you want to use fresh vegetables, you can. Just cook them for a bit first to ensure they're soft enough. Try sautéing them with the onions.

    How to make shepherd's pie

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    boiling potatoes and frying beef for shepherd's pie

    Preheat your oven to 375F. Peel and quarter the potatoes and boil until tender. In a skillet, sauté the onion. Add in the ground beef and brown it.

    adding seasonings to ground beef in a skillet for shepherd's pie

    Stir in the Italian seasoning, tomato paste, and flour, and cook until incorporated, stirring constantly. Add in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and salt, and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it thicken.

    making mashed potatoes for shepherd's pie

    In a small saucepan, heat the cream, butter, garlic, and salt & pepper and warm it over medium heat until the butter has melted. Drain the potatoes, and add the cream mixture over top. Mash well.

    adding ground beef and veggie mixture to a baking dish for shepherd's pie

    Add in the frozen mixed vegetables to the skillet, and cook for about 5 minutes. Transfer the meat and veggie mixture to a 9x13 casserole dish and spread evenly with a spatula.

    spreading mashed potatoes on shepherd's pie

    Add the mashed potatoes over top in a uniform layer. Use a fork to rake the mashed potatoes for texture. Bake and enjoy!

    Can I make shepherd's pie ahead of time?

    • Absolutely! Simply assemble it up to the baking step, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
    • When you're ready to heat it up, you may need to increase the baking time since it will be cold. Try baking it covered with foil for the first 30 minutes, uncover and bake for 20 more, and then broil if desired.
    • If cooking from frozen, let the baking dish warm up a bit on the counter so that it doesn't break. Or use these disposable foil baking pans!

    Substitutions and variations

    • You can use your own mashed potato recipe if you like, but we can't guarantee how it'll turn out without testing.
    • Sub the cream for half-and-half or milk at your discretion, but the potatoes will end up less rich and likely dry, especially after being baked.
    • Want a fancy touch? Swap half of the beef broth with red wine! Use a full-bodied red wine such as a cabernet sauvignon or merlot.
    • Try sprinkling some parmesan cheese and/or grated cheddar on top of the potato layer prior to baking for a little bit of decadence!

    Tools for this recipe

    • I like to use a 9x13 casserole dish for this shepherd's pie.
    • A spatula is really handy for evenly spreading the mashed potatoes. This Le Creuset spatula is the kind I usually use.
    • One of my favorite skillets is this Staub 12" skillet.
    • This is a great potato masher that I use for many recipes.

    What to serve with it

    • In England, HP Sauce or brown sauce is often served with shepherd's pie. It's got tomatoes and tamarind and an addictive tangy taste!
    • Shepherd's pie also pairs well with a side salad. Try this parmesan arugula salad or some mixed greens with this Creamy Balsamic Dressing.
    • It's also fantastic on its own or with a slice of crusty bread.

    Leftovers and storage

    • It will keep just fine in an airtight container 3-4 days in the fridge.
    • Shepherd's pie leftovers heat really well on the stove in a small saucepan. You can also microwave until warmed through!
    • You can freeze it too even though we prefer the refrigerator. It might not be exactly the same as when first cooked, but it'll still taste great.

    More comfort food classics

    • American Goulash
    • Easy Meat Sauce
    • Easy Salisbury Steak
    • Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe
    • Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
    • Easy Tater Tot Casserole
    a baking dish with shepherd's pie

    Any questions or comments? I'd be thrilled to hear from you in the comments below!

    shepherd's pie on a plate with a fork

    Shepherd's Pie

    This classic shepherd's pie recipe has ground beef, veggies, and mashed potatoes to make the best comfort food! The rich, savory gravy is mouthwatering, and you can make this tasty and affordable meal ahead of time.
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 55 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, English
    Servings 8
    Calories 411 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    Meat and veggie filling:

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 1 pound lean ground beef or lamb
    • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoons flour
    • 1 cup beef broth
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups mixed vegetables (I use a combo of frozen peas & carrots and frozen corn)

    Potato topping:

    • 2.5 pounds Russet potatoes peeled and cut into quarters
    • 1/2 cup heavy cream
    • 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • Pepper to taste
    • Garnish: chopped fresh parsley optional, to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Peel the potatoes and cut them into 4 pieces each. Boil them until tender. Start the rest of the recipe while they're cooking. Preheat your oven to 375F and move the rack to the top third of the oven. Don't worry if the meat filling and potatoes aren't quite done at the same time.
    • Add 2 tablespoons of the butter to a large skillet and melt over medium-high heat, then add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
    • Add the beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with your spoon as you go along, until browned (about 6-8 minutes).
    • Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the Italian seasoning, tomato paste, and flour. Cook (stir constantly), for about a minute.
    • Add in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and salt, and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the liquid thicken up a bit (about 1 minute).
    • Stir in the frozen mixed veggies and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
    • When the potatoes are almost done, add the cream, butter, garlic, and salt & pepper to a small saucepan and warm it over medium heat until the butter has melted and it's warmed through (don't let it boil). Once the potatoes are done (a knife should slide in easily), drain them and add them back to the pot they were cooked in. Pour the saucepan mixture over the potatoes and mash until smooth. 
    • Transfer the meat mixture to a 9x13 casserole dish and then spoon the potatoes over top. Smooth with a rubber spatula (or spoon if that's all you have). You can use a fork to create texture by raking it over the potatoes.
    • Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly, then broil for a few minutes (watch it carefully) to brown the potatoes.
    • Let it sit for a few minutes before serving and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

    Notes

    • I recommend weighing the potatoes at the grocery store as potato sizes vary a lot and everyone has a different idea of what a "large" potato is, but if you need to eyeball, 2.5 pounds of Russets is roughly 3 large potatoes.
    • Serves 6-8 depending on portion size. Leftovers are delicious.
    • See blog post for more tips including step-by-step photos, substitutions, and make ahead instructions.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 411kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 17gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 973mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2860IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword cottage pie, how to make Shepherd's Pie, shepherd's pie
    Author Natasha Bull
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    1. Kelley S says

      March 19, 2023 at 6:18 PM

      5 stars
      My new go-to for Shepard’s pie! Delicious and very easy. I used a whole bag of frozen mixed veggies and all yellow potatoes because that’s what we had on hand. So so good!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 19, 2023 at 6:23 PM

        I'm so happy you enjoyed it!! Thanks so much for your 5-star review, Kelley!

        Reply
    2. Heidi says

      March 17, 2023 at 8:34 PM

      5 stars
      So incredibly yummy! Will always use your recipe when making shepherd’s pie!! ♥️♥️♥️

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 17, 2023 at 11:21 PM

        Aww thank you!! I am so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    3. Bethanne says

      March 17, 2023 at 4:50 PM

      5 stars
      Very good Shepherd's Pie. I haven't added Italian Seasoning before, but it was good. Will make again.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 17, 2023 at 5:12 PM

        Fantastic!! Thanks so much for your 5-star review, Bethanne!

        Reply
    4. David Shank says

      March 12, 2023 at 4:02 PM

      This is a must have ,lots of flavor,easy to make,recommend never made it,this will be a staple in this house

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 12, 2023 at 4:05 PM

        Thanks so much, David!! 🙂

        Reply
    5. HIreno says

      February 25, 2023 at 10:37 AM

      What temperature do you back it at?

      Reply
      • HIreno says

        February 25, 2023 at 10:38 AM

        *bake*

        Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        February 25, 2023 at 11:02 AM

        Hi! See step 1 of the instructions. Enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Karlee says

      February 7, 2023 at 5:33 PM

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 7, 2023 at 8:24 PM

        Thank you!! 😀

        Reply
    7. Pam says

      January 20, 2023 at 7:14 PM

      5 stars
      This is a definite keeper… I’ve tried many recipes and this was easy and delicious! My 4 yr old granddaughter ate it and said I was a “good maker” lol…. Trust me she tells it like it is!
      I was going to pack up leftovers for my son but my husband wouldn’t let me… Said it was to good and he wanted some for tomorrow. So, thank you for the awesome recipe!!!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        January 21, 2023 at 10:11 AM

        Haha love to hear that!! Thanks so much for your review, Pam.

        Reply
    8. Jeannie Paolella says

      January 19, 2023 at 4:58 PM

      Used red wine in place of broth - Excellent flavor!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 19, 2023 at 9:46 PM

        So glad you enjoyed it! Love that idea.

        Reply
    9. Crys says

      December 14, 2022 at 4:17 PM

      5 stars
      Thank you for this recipe! My family really enjoyed it. Our pantry is looking a bit skimpy at the moment. Unfortunately , I didn’t have everything so I had to substitute some, but it still turned out really great! For the potato portion, I had to sub sour cream, because we didn’t have heavy cream, we had to use chicken broth instead of beef broth, and also ketchup instead of tomato paste. Still super yummy though! Thanks again

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 14, 2022 at 9:46 PM

        I'm so glad it worked out, Crys! 🙂

        Reply
      • Riana says

        March 13, 2023 at 2:22 PM

        Can’t wait to try this! Any idea how the cook time would change if I used store bought mashed potatoes? If everything is cooked, would it just need a few mins on broil versus 30 min cook time? Thanks!

        Reply
        • Natasha says

          March 13, 2023 at 2:42 PM

          Hi! If they're store bought and cold from the fridge, I recommend heating them up first and then continuing the recipe from step 8 as written. The first part of the recipe involves making the mashed potatoes from scratch, and even though they're warm after being freshly prepared, they still go in the oven for 30 minutes, followed by the broil step.

          Reply
    10. Linda says

      November 30, 2022 at 7:14 PM

      5 stars
      Made this tonight for the second time. Absolutely delicious 😋

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 30, 2022 at 8:33 PM

        Fantastic to hear, Linda! Appreciate your review!

        Reply
    11. Angela says

      November 12, 2022 at 7:00 AM

      Best Shepherds pie ever! Have made it twice in the last month! Thank you for this!!
      I will be sharing this recipe with my friends and family!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 12, 2022 at 9:19 AM

        That's so great to hear!! 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment, and I appreciate the shares!

        Reply
    12. Aurie Schmieding says

      October 30, 2022 at 6:01 PM

      5 stars
      This is hands down the best recipe I have ever used for Shepherds Pie! I used ground venison instead of beef and it was still oh so good. The best cold weather comfort food! Definitely one I will be sharing!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 30, 2022 at 6:05 PM

        I'm thrilled to hear that!! 😀 Thanks so much for your review, Aurie!

        Reply
    13. Sarah says

      October 27, 2022 at 8:32 PM

      5 stars
      I made this today. I had a huge craving for shepherds pie. Instead of regular butter, I used up my leftover garlic butter from thanksgiving in the filling. I tasted the filling when I followed it, but I found it a tad on the sweet side, so I added a dash of red wine vinegar and it really brought it more together. I cooked the potatoes in my instant pot with the garlic roughly chopping, then used my hand mixer to “mash” them up. Added butter and 1/2 and 1/2 and some dried parsley. Topped off the filling with the potatoes and added cheese. Im definitely making it again. It was delicious

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 27, 2022 at 8:45 PM

        Yay!! I'm glad you liked it, Sarah!!

        Reply
    14. Nancy says

      October 25, 2022 at 12:39 AM

      Hi! Would this taste just as good you think with ground chicken? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 25, 2022 at 10:34 AM

        It really depends on your taste preferences. If you prefer chicken to beef, you could definitely try it. The only thing I'd be a bit concerned about is that ground chicken is much drier, but I think with the sauce and potatoes you should be ok.

        Reply
    15. Susan Okeefe Kozak says

      October 22, 2022 at 5:05 PM

      Wondering if this would be good with ground turkey instead of beef. I know it is a dryer meat so any suggestions for making it work would be appreciated.

      Love your recipes!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 22, 2022 at 5:25 PM

        Hi Susan! You could for sure give it a try. I haven't personally tested it, but I think it should be ok. 🙂

        Reply
    16. Laurie Harte says

      October 22, 2022 at 1:31 PM

      Yummy. I add half can of cheddar cheese soup to my mashed potatoes. So delicious when it’s all browned up. I LOVE your recipes. I share w many.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 22, 2022 at 1:57 PM

        I'm so glad you like this recipe! Love that cheddar cheese soup idea. I really appreciate you sharing my recipes, Laurie! 🙂

        Reply
    17. Sarah Adams says

      October 2, 2022 at 5:52 PM

      This is amazing! I had never had shepherds pie but wanted to try it, and this did not disappoint!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 3, 2022 at 11:09 AM

        Fantastic!! So happy you liked it! Thanks so much for your comment, Sarah!

        Reply
    18. Amy says

      October 2, 2022 at 2:51 PM

      5 stars
      Excellent, best recipe I have used for shepherds pie!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 2, 2022 at 3:16 PM

        I'm thrilled to hear that, Amy!! 😀 Thanks so much for taking the time to write me a review!

        Reply
    19. Brenda says

      September 20, 2022 at 10:29 AM

      This is actually cottage pie as Shepard's pie has lamb in it. But it looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        September 20, 2022 at 12:31 PM

        Hi Brenda! It sounds like you missed the part of the blog post about the history of shepherd's pie. Enjoy the recipe! 🙂

        Reply
    20. Juliette Gilbert says

      September 19, 2022 at 7:09 PM

      5 stars
      I made this tonight and it was a hit. Very easy also so this recipe is a keeper. I left out the garlic simply because my husband doesn't like it but everything else I followed.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        September 19, 2022 at 9:14 PM

        Wonderful to hear, Juliette! Glad it was a hit, and thanks for your review! 🙂

        Reply
      • Sab says

        February 24, 2023 at 9:27 PM

        Definitely making this for myself but I also need to make some for someone else a day in advance. Would you suggest my baking it fully or assembling it and keeping it in the fridge for the recipients to bake once I give it to them the following day?

        Thanks in advance for your input!

        Reply
        • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

          February 24, 2023 at 9:55 PM

          Hi Sab! There's a section called "Can I make shepherd's pie ahead of time?" in the blog post. Hope you both enjoy the recipe! 🙂

          Reply
          • Sab says

            February 26, 2023 at 12:38 AM

            🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️
            ...that's what happens when you hit the "jump to recipe" button after reading the history of the shepherd's pie 😅
            Thanks again! Can't wait to try this next week!!! Mmm

            Reply
            • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

              February 26, 2023 at 10:24 AM

              No worries! You're welcome, and hope you enjoy it. 🙂

    21. Stephanie N. says

      August 30, 2022 at 9:40 PM

      The only thing I didn’t do, was “cream, butter, garlic, and salt & pepper to a small saucepan and warm it over medium heat”. I didn’t read the instructions throughly; I rushed ahead & mashed it w/the potatoes. It still turned out delicious. I love the meat mixture recipe! Full of flavor.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 31, 2022 at 9:59 AM

        I'm glad it worked out, Stephanie! That step just infuses a little more flavor into it and cooks the garlic a bit - not a huge deal. 😀 Thanks for your comment!

        Reply
    22. Kristine kehl says

      June 13, 2022 at 6:01 PM

      5 stars
      Holy smokes this turned out phenomenal! I made a few necessary adjustments because I didn’t have tomato paste . I used a small can of diced tomatoes with Italian season. I smashed them up and after it cooked they were almost invisible. However, it was pretty good with them ! I used ground lamb and used red wine and beef broth . Added diced celery because we are a celery loving family 😂 made design on potatoes by dabbing my finger on top and lifting. Would definitely make this again and would definitely bring this to a potluck! BONUS - the ground lamb was on sale for $8 for pound and a half , had everything else at home so the meal literally cost less than $10! Very budget friendly without being a basic hamburger helper type meal . Wish I could post pictures it looks special for a Monday night meal ! Thank you for this recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 13, 2022 at 9:33 PM

        I'm so happy it worked out!! Lol I love the way you did the design. 😀 Thanks for your review, Kristine!

        Reply
    23. Vanessa says

      April 14, 2022 at 6:17 PM

      5 stars
      So delicious!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 14, 2022 at 8:55 PM

        Glad you enjoyed it, Vanessa! 😀 Thanks for your review!

        Reply
    24. Angela says

      April 7, 2022 at 11:03 PM

      5 stars
      I made this today for my family. Five stars! Super easy to make, kid friendly, happy husband. I cannot stress to you how amazing of a twist on shepards pie this was. Looking forward to making more and exploring new family meals at the table together !

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 8, 2022 at 10:00 AM

        I'm so happy your family enjoyed it, Angela!! 😀 Really appreciate your review!

        Reply
    25. Courtney says

      April 7, 2022 at 9:58 AM

      this looks wonderful. Would it be okay to freeze?

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        April 7, 2022 at 10:19 AM

        Hi Courtney! Check out the tips in the blog post for both freezing ahead and freezing leftovers. Enjoy! 🙂

        Reply

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