Print

Classic Shepherd’s Pie

A close-up of a freshly baked Classic Shepherd's Pie, showing the savory meat filling and fluffy mashed potato topping.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A comforting and classic shepherd’s pie with a savory ground beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Perfect for a family dinner or make-ahead meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Stir in minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  6. Stir in frozen peas. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
  7. While the filling cooks, boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
  8. Mash the potatoes with milk and butter until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in cheddar cheese if using.
  9. Spread the mashed potato topping evenly over the meat filling in the skillet. You can create decorative peaks with a fork if desired.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  11. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can use ground lamb instead of beef to make a traditional shepherd’s pie.
  • If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the filling to a baking dish before adding the mashed potato topping.
  • This dish freezes well. Let it cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishsymphony.com/classic-shepherds-pie-recipe/