The Best Shepherd's Pie. Ever. is incredibly hearty, with beef and vegetables cooked in a savory gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. The ultimate comfort food!
Top o’ the evenin’ to ya’!
That’s my happy St. Patrick’s Day greeting.
My husband and I were going to hit up the all-you-can-eat St. Paddy’s Day buffet at our local grocery store for the occasion (unlimited Reubens & corned beef?!) but I thought nah, lets keep it homemade with The Best Shepherd’s Pie. EVER!
This classic meat pie, originally known as Cottage Pie back in the late 1700s, takes the same amount of time to make as it would be to drive, dine, regret, and return home. Can you say win/win?!
Just brown ground beef with onions and garlic, cook in flour, chicken broth, tomato paste and other seasonings, then simmer until thick.
Toss in some frozen veggies, and you’re nearly there!
While making the filling, boil ~4 cups worth of mashed potatoes on a burner next door. OR, go the easy route and purchase a family-size package of pre-made mashed potatoes from the store.
Assembly time!
Pour the filling into an oven-proof casserole dish then top with mashed potatoes.
Pop into the oven for 20 minutes then devour!
Scooped out a big serving and try not to fall into the tunnel of mashed potato love!
Ingredients
- 4 cups prepared mashed potatoes
- garlic salt
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 Tablespoons gluten-free flour, or AP flour if not gluten free
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon gluten free reduced-sodium Tamari, or soy sauce if not gluten free
- 14.5 oz can chicken broth
- 2 cups frozen vegetable medley
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brown ground beef, onions and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When meat is completely cooked, sprinkle in flour and continue to saute for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste, worcestershire sauce, gluten-free tamari or soy sauce and chicken broth. Simmer for 5-6 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Turn of the heat then stir in frozen vegetables and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour beef mixture into a large, oven-proof casserole dish then top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with garlic salt.
- Place casserole dish on a large sheet pan (in case the sauce overflows) then bake for 20-30 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Scoop onto plates then serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
So easy. So quick. So tasty
My go to twice a month
Great recipe. Fast, easy, and my family loved it.
I am a huge fan of Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie. Fantastic and easy to make! Thanks for sharing your recipe. Just an FYI, Shepherd’s Pies were not formally known as Cottage Pies. I see Shepherd’s Pie being used incorrectly more often than not, even in restaurants. Shepard’s Pie is made with mutton or lamb (hence Shepherd) whereas Cottage Pie is made with beef. Other than this, they are the same. I prefer Shepard’s pie over cottage, but not everyone likes lamb and fewer like mutton. For an extra special version, make it in a flaky pie crust. I have never made one without, ever since I first tried it.
Thank you and all the best wishes.
I made mine with ground venison and a cauliflower/potato mash on top – we are enjoying this! Thanks for the best shepherds pie recipe :)
Would beef broth change it up too much?
Nope, that should be just fine! I actually just posted an updated recipe using beef broth: https://iowagirleats.com/2019/01/23/skillet-shepherds-pie/
one can of soup is way too much. A 1/4 to 1/2 would be much better. I found out too late. Taste is just OK.
Pretty sure this recipe has an error. Not sure how big a can of chicken broth is, as I make my own. But my research suggests that a can is usually about 8oz, not 14.5, I made the recipe using 8oz and it worked out great.
Not an error. Glad it worked for you though!
This is a new staple in our house. I love it! I make it right in a cast iron skillet with instant mashed potatoes on top, and throw the whole thing in the oven. I sometimes use all Worcestershire instead of soy sauce and I prefer beef stock instead of chicken. Substituting ground turkey also works well!
Made it tonight. My husband and I both enjoyed it. Didn’t change anything but next time I’ll try it with ground turkey.
Shepherd’s pie is made with lamb, hence the name shepherd’s pie. What you have made is cottage pie. Still good but very different flavors.
This has become a regular in our meal rotation. It also works well as a make-ahead freezer meal! I make a triple batch of the meat mixture and freeze it in gallon ziplocs. (Flatten bagged mixture and allow to freeze laying on a cookie sheet for easier storage and faster thawing.) Google “freezer mashed potatoes” for a complete freezer meal (freeze them in a separate ziploc) or make them fresh the night before for quick assembly the next day. I thawed these on the counter today. Got home at 4:00 from a busy afternoon of running kids around, layered thawed components in a baking dish, popped it in the oven, and dinner’s on the table at 5:15! Win!
Very good I added a few extra things but good
You never mentioned draining the grease off of hamburger meat,I’m assuming you do.
Just depends on what percentage of fat your beef is – if it needs drained definitely go ahead!