Description
A hearty and comforting casserole featuring savory ground meat and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes, baked until golden and bubbling. This Easy Shepherd’s Pie is a timeless, cozy family favorite.
Ingredients
- For the meat filling:
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef or ground lamb
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- For the mashed potato topping:
- 2 lbs russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Boil potatoes in salted water for 15–20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until soft.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Stir in diced carrots and cook for 3–4 minutes.
- Add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Pour in beef broth and simmer for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in frozen peas and cook briefly.
- Transfer meat mixture to a greased baking dish and spread evenly.
- Spread mashed potatoes over the top. Sprinkle cheddar cheese if using.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Shepherd’s Pie traditionally uses lamb; beef version is Cottage Pie.
- Add corn for extra sweetness.
- Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for a crispier topping.
- Simmer filling long enough to prevent watery casserole.
- Freeze up to 2 months and thaw before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
