Go Back
–+ servings
The Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie

The Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie

The Best Classic Shepherd's Pie features ground beef with vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes, making it the perfect comfort food.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American, Irish
Servings 6 servings
Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • large pot
  • colander
  • 9x9 inch baking dish
  • rimmed baking sheet

Ingredients
  

Meat Filling

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 lb. 90% lean ground beef or ground lamb
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup frozen mixed peas & carrots *
  • ½ cup frozen corn kernels

Potato Topping

  • 1 ½ - 2 lb. russet potatoes about 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 stick
  • ⅓ cup half & half
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

Make the Meat Filling

  • Add the oil to a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the onions. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the ground beef (or ground lamb) to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the meat is browned, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the flour and tomato paste. Stir until well incorporated and no clumps of tomato paste remain.
  • Add the broth, frozen peas and carrots, and frozen corn. Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Set the meat mixture aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Make the Potato Topping

  • Place the potatoes in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are fork tender, 10-15 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes in a colander. Return the potatoes to the hot pot. Let the potatoes rest in the hot pot for 1 minute to evaporate any remaining liquid.
  • Add butter, half & half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes and stir until all the ingredients are mixed together.
  • Add the parmesan cheese to the potatoes. Stir until well combined.

Assemble the Casserole

  • Pour the meat mixture into a 9x9 (or 7x11) inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the meat. Carefully spread into an even layer.
  • If the baking dish looks very full, place it on a rimmed baking sheet so that the filling doesn’t bubble over into your oven. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

If you can’t find frozen mixed peas and carrots, you could use ½ cup frozen peas and ½ cup frozen sliced carrots.

Nutrition

Serving: 1recipeCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 19gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 751mgPotassium: 483mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2860IUVitamin C: 7.9mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 2.7mg
Keyword Classic shepherd's pie, How to make shepherd's pie, Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!