Easy Shepherds Pie Recipe

Easy Shepherds Pie Recipe

12 servings
This Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe is the ultimate Irish comfort food. Shepherd's Pie (or Cottage Pie) with hearty beef & fluffy mashed potatoes this pie will become a family favorite.

Ingredients

  • olive oil
    2 ½ tbsp
  • yellow onion

    diced

    1 ½ c
  • ground beef
    2 lb
  • salt
    1 tsp
  • thyme leaves
    1 ½ tsp
  • rosemary leaves
    1 tsp
  • parsley flakes
    2 tsp
  • ground black pepper
    2 tsp
  • Worcestershire sauce
    2 tbsp
  • garlic

    minced

    3 clove
  • all-purpose flour
    ⅓ c
  • ketchup
    ¼ c
  • beef broth
    2 c
  • mixed peas and carrots
    2 c
  • corn kernels
    1 c
  • russet potatoes or 8 small / medium russet potatoes

    Cubed into ¾-inch squares

    4 large
  • unsalted butter
    12 tbsp
  • half & half
    ⅝ c
  • garlic powder
    1 tsp
  • ground black pepper
    ½ tsp
  • paprika
    1 ½ tsp
  • cheddar cheese

    grated

    ⅓ c

Directions

How to make the ground beef filling

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 400 Degrees and coat a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray. Then set aside.

  2. 2

    In a large skillet over medium-high heat add in olive oil. Once the oil is hot add the onions and cook 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. 3

    Add the ground beef, parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes and break apart the ground beef with meat chopper or spoon. Stir occasionally until meat is completely browned.

  4. 4

    Add in garlic and cook for an addition 1 minute.

  5. 5

    Add the Worcestershire sauce, flour and ketchup to the ground beef mixture. Stir until fully incorporated and cook for 1 minute.

  6. 6

    Add the beef broth, frozen peas and carrots and frozen corn kernels. Cook until the beef broth begins to boil. Then, reduce heat and let simmer for 4-5 minutes. Stir occasionally.

  7. 7

    In the prepared baking dish spread out the ground beef filling. Make sure to spread it out into an even layer.

How to make the cheesy potato topping

  1. 1

    Peel and cut potatoes into 3/4 inch cubes. Place the potatoes in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water and add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cook the potatoes until the can be smashed with a fork. Cook time will be 10-15 minutes.

  2. 2

    Drain the potatoes and add them to your KitchenAid mixer. I you don’t have a mixer a hand mixer or potato smasher will work fine.

  3. 3

    Then, cut the butter stick into 1 tablespoon pieces and spread them evenly on top of the potatoes

  4. 4

    Next, add the half & half, garlic powder, salt and black pepper and mix until the potatoes are smooth and creamy.

  5. 5

    Scoop the potatoes on top of the ground beef filling. Carefully spread them into a even layer.

  6. 6

    Sprinkle the paprika over the potatoes evenly. Then, add the cheddar cheese on top of the potatoes.

  7. 7

    Place the in the oven and bake at 400 degrees. Place a baking sheet on the shelf under the pie. I have found that this recipe will sometimes boil over and the baking sheet will save your oven. Cook for 25-30 minutes.

  8. 8

    Then, let cool for 10 minutes before serving and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy!

Easy Shepherds Pie Recipe

Easy Shepherds Pie Recipe

85 min12 servings538 cal

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About this Recipe

Craving the ultimate comfort food that warms you from the inside out? This Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe is precisely what you need, delivering a hearty beef and vegetable filling crowned with fluffy, golden mashed potatoes that will quickly become a cherished family favorite.

What sets this shepherd's pie apart is its perfect harmony of flavors and textures. The rich, savory ground beef base is meticulously seasoned with classic herbs like thyme and rosemary, while the creamy mashed potato topping, enriched with butter and half & half, provides a luxurious, comforting contrast. It’s a complete meal designed for ease without compromising on deep, satisfying taste.

Prepare for a truly satisfying culinary experience. Each generous serving of this Easy Shepherd's Pie offers a robust and savory foundation of perfectly cooked ground beef, mingling with sweet peas, carrots, and corn. This hearty filling, simmered in a savory beef broth enhanced with Worcestershire sauce and a touch of ketchup, creates an incredibly flavorful base.

Above this, you'll discover a cloud-like topping of mashed russet potatoes, whipped until fluffy with unsalted butter, half & half, and seasoned with garlic powder and paprika. A final sprinkle of grated cheddar cheese melts into a golden crust, adding an irresistible finish. It’s a dish that feels both substantial and utterly comforting, a true classic done right.

While this recipe is perfect as is, you can subtly adapt it to your pantry or preferences.

  • For a deeper herbaceous note, feel free to slightly adjust the amounts of thyme, rosemary, and parsley flakes to your liking.
  • If you don't have half & half on hand for the mashed potatoes, a combination of whole milk and a splash of heavy cream can achieve a similar creamy consistency.
  • The cheddar cheese topping is classic, but you could also experiment with Gruyere or a touch of Parmesan for a different cheesy flavor.

This impressive yet approachable Easy Shepherd's Pie is the quintessential dish for a cozy family dinner, a gathering with friends, or any occasion when you crave truly satisfying comfort food. It stands proudly as a complete meal, requiring no elaborate side dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions