Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe with Ground Beef {And Mashed Potatoes!}

What is Shepherd’s Pie Made With?

Shepherd’s pie is a comforting casserole made with ground beef or lamb, sautéed vegetables, savory gravy, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes. This recipe uses ground beef for an easy, family-friendly version of the traditional dish, perfect for busy weeknights.

What Is Shepherd’s Pie?

Shepherd's Pie is traditionally made with lamb, gravy, vegetables and topped with mashed potatoes. For our family, I needed something cost effective, easy, and quick. This comfort meal checks all the boxes and is so delicious.

It works as a quick weeknight meal or a casual dish to serve when entertaining friends for dinner.

Simplicity is the key to this meal. I use ground beef, frozen vegetables, baby potatoes, and my cast iron skillet to make this feel good family favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ground Beef
• Olive Oil
• Onion
• Frozen peas and carrots
• Garlic
• Tomato paste
• Corn starch or flour
• Beef stock (or broth)
• Worcestershire sauce
• Thyme
• Salt & Pepper
• Baby potatoes
• Butter
• Half & Half (or milk)
• Cheddar cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a large pan or cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat, add olive oil and let heat for 1-2 minutes. Add chopped onion and a pinch of salt and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Next, add minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring so garlic doesn't burn.
• Add ground beef to skillet and break up with spoon and cook until completely browned. Remove any excess oil from pan. Return pan to medium heat and add tomato paste and corn starch (or flour). Stir until combined, about 1 minute.
• Next, add Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, thyme, salt and pepper, stir into beef mixture and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the frozen peas and carrots, and cook for additional 3 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit until ready to top with potatoes.

To Make Potato Topping

• Cut baby potatoes to ensure all pieces are around the same size, then add to a medium pot and bring to a boil. Cook potatoes until fork tender.
• Drain potatoes and return to warm pot.
• Add butter and mash potatoes with a masher. Add half and half and mash until creamy. Add 1 cup cheddar cheese and stir into potatoes.
• Top beef and veggie mixture with mashed potatoes and spread over top. Add additional cheddar cheese on top of potatoes.
• Place pan on a baking sheet (to catch any gravy that spills over.)
• Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Shepherd’s Pie

The best tips for making this classic comfort food dinner is keep it simple. Use easy, cost-saving ingredients and simple tools to create a meal your family will request each week! Here are some of the helpful tools I have in my kitchen to make this meal easy to make and ready in under an hour.

• Lodge Cast Iron Skillet This is my go-to pan for stovetop-to-oven meals like this.
• Potato Masher For fluffy mashed potatoes every time.
• Pyrex Glass Storage Containers Perfect for storing leftovers or freezing.
• Caraway Food Storage Set Another alternative to Pyrex.

FAQ: Can I Make This Ahead?

You absolutely can make this easy shepherd's pie recipe ahead of time! I suggest freezing the beef and vegetable filling and when you are ready to cook the whole meal, make the mashed potatoes fresh right before placing in the oven.

If you want to make this in the morning and pop in the oven when you get home, that is an option too! Make and place in fridge and bake it to have for a cozy dinner.

More Easy Dinner Recipes

If you’re in the mood for more cozy, no-fuss meals, you’ll love these favorites: Our Easy Chicken Pot Pie is packed with flavor and perfect for a make-ahead meal, while these Homemade Sloppy Joes come together fast and always hit the spot. Looking for something on the lighter side? This Broccoli & Chicken Stir Fry is quick, healthy, and great for busy weeknights.