Lincoln had a snow day from school yesterday, which we learned about after receiving three phone calls, two emails, and an app update all before 6:30am. What a time to be alive! Why, back in my day, my brothers and I had to huddle around the television screen at the crack of dawn, praying for our school’s name to crawl across the bottom of the screen informing us of our district’s decision. Snow day at best, regular day at worst, 2-hour delay somewhere in between.
Here in the present there’s another monster snow storm making its way across the country which calls for something comforting for dinner, and Skillet Shepherd’s Pie is definitely checking the box. Here are a few more: made in one skillet (check) from pantry staples (check) and cozy to the max (CHECK)!
Maybe it’s just me, but anything that comes out of the oven audibly bubbling is an automatic winner in my book. Add in a thick layer of mashed potatoes brushed with garlic butter blanketing saucy meat and vegetables and I’m sold. The fact that this gluten free shepherd’s pie goes from stove, to oven, to dinner table in a big ol’ skillet makes me all kinds of happy.
Goodbye tons dishes to clean, hello more time to binge watch trash television. Bravo, I just can’t quit you.
Recipe Notes
- Shepherd’s vs Cottage Pie. I understand that shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with minced lamb meat and anything made with ground beef is considered “cottage pie” but here in the states – or Iowa rather, I guess I can’t speak for the whole country – it’s still called Shepherd’s Pie. No disrespect!
- Oven Safe Skillet. To make this recipe you’ll need a large, 10+” OVEN SAFE SKILLET. Here’s the enameled cast iron skillet I have.
- Homemade vs Store Bought Mashed Potatoes. The Suzy Homemaker in me wants to tell you that homemade mashed potatoes are a must for this recipe, but honestly, my Mom makes this dish with Bob Evan’s pre-made mashed potatoes, which are gluten free, and they are incredible. Either way is fine!
How to Make Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
Start by browning ground beef with chopped shallot or onion in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season with homemade seasoned salt and pepper then add minced garlic and big pinches of dried parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Saute until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
Next add worcestershire sauce (Lea & Perrin’s is gluten-free in the states,) and tomato paste then stir to combine. Sprinkle in gluten-free flour then stir and cook for 1 minute.
Slowly drizzle in beef stock while stirring to avoid lumps then simmer until the mixture has thickened, 3-4 minutes. Taste then add more seasoned salt and/or pepper if necessary.
Take the skillet off the heat then stir in frozen vegetables. I just use a standard medley.
Last step is to spoon prepared mashed potatoes on top then spread into an even layer and brush with a mixture of melted butter and garlic powder. Use a fork to give the mashed potatoes a rustic look, which will also help the ridges brown in the oven. You can use your own mashed potato recipe, or store bought, OR I’ve included my go-to recipe in the notes section of the recipe card below.
Bake the Skillet Shepherd’s Pie for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees then finish with a blast from the broiler to really brown the top. Let sit for 5 minutes before digging in and serving up. I hope you love this hot and comforting dish – enjoy!
More Cozy Skillet Recipes
- Skillet Tater Tot Casserole
- Cheesy Chicken Burrito Skillet
- Italian Rice Ball Skillet
- Beef and Veggie Enchilada Skillet
- Cheesy Gnocchi Florentine
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Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
Description
Skillet Shepherd's Pie is comfort in a dish! Take from the stovetop to the oven, and then the dinner table. This gluten-free dinner recipe is a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1lb ground beef
- 1 shallot or small onion, chopped
- pepper and homemade seasoned salt (see notes for salt recipe)
- 3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- big pinch each dried thyme, dried rosemary, dried parsley
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 Tablespoon gluten-free worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons gluten-free flour OR all-purpose flour (dish will not be GF if using AP flour)
- 1-1/2 cups gluten-free beef stock
- 1-1/4 cups frozen vegetable medley
- 4 cups prepared mashed potatoes (see notes for recipe)
- 2 Tablespoons butter or vegan butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
- Place a baking sheet on the bottom rack of the oven to catch any spillovers from skillet then preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place an 12" or larger oven-safe skillet over medium high heat then add ground beef and shallots. Season with homemade seasoned salt and pepper, then brown. Add garlic and dried herbs then saute for 1 minute or until garlic is very fragrant. Add tomato paste and worcestershire sauce then stir to combine. Sprinkle in flour then stir to combine and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually add splashes of beef broth while stirring to avoid clumps then simmer, stirring often, until mixture has thickened, 3-4 minutes. Taste then add more seasoned salt and/or pepper if necessary. Remove skillet from heat then stir in frozen vegetables.
- Spoon mashed potatoes on top of meat and vegetables then spread into an even layer. Combine butter and garlic powder in a small dish then use a pastry brush or spoon to brush or drizzle the garlic butter on top. Run a fork around the mashed potatoes like recipe photos.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until dish is bubbly. Place under broiler set to high to get the top golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Click here for my Homemade Seasoned Salt recipe >
- My mashed potato recipe (makes 4-1/2ish cups): Peel then chop 2lbs russet potatoes and add to a large pot of cold water. Bring to a boil then cook until potatoes are tender, 8-10 minutes, and then drain. Add 1/3 cup (5 Tablespoons) butter or vegan butter, 1/2 cup milk (any kind -I used unsweetened almond milk,) salt, and pepper to the pot then add potatoes and mash until smooth. Alternatively you could rice the potatoes into the pot with the milk and butter then stir to combine. Measure out 4 cups then use remaining potatoes for something else. Mashed potatoes can be made several days ahead of time.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Sheri 08.17.2021
This is delicious, I don’t care what you call this recipe. I substituted the ground beef with ground Turkey.
julie 02.24.2021
could you make this ahead and cook it that evening in oven?
Kristin 02.26.2021
Sure! I’d let the skillet with the food inside sit at room temperature for 30 mins before baking. You might need to tack some extra cooking time on too.
Istuke 02.22.2021
Yum!! I think you posted a Shepherd Pie recipe years ago that included “faux potatoes” made from cauliflower. I started making this dish with half potatoes and half cauliflower in the topping. So good!
Kristin 02.22.2021
Oh yeah – still a favorite around here too – so glad it’s stood the test of time for you! :D I’ve taken to adding a ton of frozen riced cauliflower to this recipe to amp up the vegetables!
Frank Freeman 02.18.2021
Y’all need to realize that this is not shepard’s pie, that is made with lamb. This is cottage pie. I know it’s a nit, but people will look at this recipe (and the name) and have another reason to make fun of Iowans. “Look at these fraking Iowans. Don’t even know what shepard’s pie is! What does IOWA stand for? Idiots out wandering around!”
If’n you want to make Iowa proud, do it proper. Don’t let the bloody bastards a chance to call us doughnuts!!
ShaNae 02.01.2021
I made this last night, and it is delicious. I did not have frozen veggies, so I subbed 1 can corn and 1 can green beans, I also added cheese to the top before putting into the oven over the garlic butter. My dad and son really enjoyed it, lots of flavor. My dad asked next time to cut down a bit on the garlic, personal tastes, but will be making this one again!
Kristin 02.01.2021
Yum – you know I love the addition of cheese! We made this this past week too!
Patti Hill 01.30.2021
Can you freeze the Shepard pie?
Cynthia Garofalo 09.18.2020
Absolutely fabulous! This was the best Shepherd’s Pie I ever had. Definitely a keeper. Thanks Kristin.
Janet 02.06.2020
I have made this twice and it is so comforting and delicious! My whole family loves it. Great leftovers too.
Kristin 02.06.2020
I’m so glad to hear it, Janet! This is a favorite of my family’s as well!
Tom 01.10.2020
By the way….love that cast iron pan you served it in. Great Presentation!!
Tom 01.10.2020
Hi Kristin, Did you use beef in place of Lamb due to cost? I have made this several times and find that the Lamb has more flavor in it and as one person stated about some of the Shepherds Pies being a bit boring due to lack of flavor. I find the lamb, chives in Potatoes and some onions that have been caramelized will provide more of a punch for this wonderful recipe. Just curious.
Frank Freeman 02.18.2021
Great of you to notice. Shepard’s pie is made with lamb. IGE is not making Shepard’s pie, this is cottage pie.
Have a great day!
Krista 12.29.2019
This. Was. Amazing! Thank you for the recipe. I did a 50/50 split of ground beef and lamb. (It was on sale ?). Perfection. Will be making this again for sure. Wish I could upload a picture. Looks just like yours. ???
Laurie-Ann Sarachie 12.05.2019
Love this recipe! Easy enough for a work night dinner!
Kathy 11.18.2019
Hi Kristen – not fans of red meat in our house. Have you tried with ground turkey or chicken? Would you change anything in the recipe for the swap? Thanks!
Kristin 11.19.2019
Hi Kathy! I would use ground turkey – think it’d be great!
Terry Hunt 10.07.2019
Yes! I just finished making your recipe for one skillet shepherd’s pie. Delicious and easy to make. Instead of using the beef, I substituted ground turkey. Because of this change, ramped up the amount of spices to taste. Again, very good and fun to make. We will definitely have this dinner another evening. Thank you for posting this recipe. Yum ?
Holly M Flynn 09.14.2019
Looks amazing and kid friendly.. Not sure if my skillet can handle the broiler can I start it on the stove then put into a casserole dish to finish it off?
Skillet Shepherd's Pie - Gluten-Free Dinner Recipe - The Foodio Spot 09.04.2019
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Judi 08.03.2019
shepherd’s Pie if it has ground lamb, cottage pie if it has ground lamb.
Robin 04.26.2019
We are new to being dairy free and I’m wondering if mashed potatoes with the vegan butter and almond milk are worth the effort? My teenage son is missing lots of his favorites but there are some things he is finding the substitute for to be “gross”.
Kristin 04.26.2019
Yes, absolutely. You would never ever know the difference in this dish especially!
15-Minute Reuben Chicken – Recipes Today 04.09.2019
[…] locate gluten free deli corned meat everywhere so that I scraped my strategies to get Skillet Shepherd’s Pie rather than The craving never abandoned along with also GF meat never looked, so my appetite […]
Britt 03.19.2019
Made this on St. Patrick’s Day with my 13 y/o daughter. Delicious and a hit with the entire family.